Active-duty GIs battle for custody

[dmr]

Children should always be the first thing we think about in any custody consideration, and the little ones having a dad or mom gone for so long has got to be incredibly hard for them too. But the GIs who lose custody of their children is so cruel in Bush's* illegal war. This shouldn't be happening to them. It just makes my heart break for the babies and their deployed mom or dad. This just makes me so sad.

Active-duty GIs battle for custody

Courts penalize them for being abroad, they argue

By Valarie Honeycutt Spears

HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER


- snip -

The three Kentucky cases reflect a growing national trend in which U.S. soldiers say they are losing custody of their children or otherwise being penalized in state family courts because of their absences while on active military duty.

Although the Kentucky cases involve active duty soldiers, many of the cases nationwide surround citizen-soldiers or reservists, who have been called to duty more now than in past wars and conflicts.

"We're only hearing about the tip of the iceberg," said Joyce Raezer, director of governmental affairs for the National Military Family Association in Alexandria, Va.

- snip -

But they express concern that some civilian judges in state courts are ignoring the federal Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act of 1940. That law requires a stay in court action, thereby protecting soldiers who are unable to uphold their rights in civilian court while on active duty.

more ...
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/heraldleader/news/9293773.htm

[TheSickEmpire]

1. Didn't something like this happen

to a female GI? Wasn't there a mom who went AWOL cuz she she refused to be shipped back to Iraq because social services was going to take her kids away. They said her military service was equal to abandonment.

I don't really remember the particulars, do you?

[LibraLabSoldier]

2. This happens a lot....

Basically, there are few single parents in the military. Most of the time they make a single parent give up custody to a family member. Many times, they never get their kids back. The military tries to claim that they are all for families....but that is a lie. We have lots of things hanging over our heads as military parents. I have missed christmas twice, three birthdays, three aniversaries in six years.....Just extra little notches on the board of why I am getting out.....Child protective services in many states basically equate military service to abandonment. And greedy family members use the courts to get permanent custody of kids while the parent is deployed.


Its a crappy system. ALthough, I cant blame this one on Bushy. It has always been like this.

[Pithlet]

3. That's awful

I honestly don't know why anyone ever volunteers to serve this country. They're treated like shit all around, really. People love to give lip service about supporting our troops, but the same people seem to be the ones that never want to back that up.

[TheSickEmpire]

7. yea, I know what you mean

but they probably don't know the meaness of it all when they first join up. I agree with you, it's a lot of lip service, like flying the flag. People fly it when it's popular. All my life we always have had a flag flying outside and one inside.

[TheSickEmpire]

5. That's awful

How can people say they support the troops and allow this to happen? I mean, people in social services and in the courts are Americans too, can't they figure out how to preserve the family?

Those greedy family members should be ashamed of themselves, but I gotta ask why the courts would allow them to be greedy. They should just only grant them temporary custody.

If my mom was in the military and deployed in Iraq I would probably go live at my aunt's house. If my aunt wanted to have permanent custody and the court's gave it to her, that would hurt me terribly. Of course I see the difference in me and a little kid (I'm 15). A little kid can be brainwashed into believing that their aunt or other family member is better than their mom or dad. People can be very selfish, I guess.

If I had a kid and my mom took care of it if I was deployed, I know that I could trust my mom. It's horrible to know that our troops might have this extra worry on their shoulders. Not only could they lose their kids but the hurt and distrust would last forever for everybody.

[Djinn]

4. not wanting to get flamed

but if one parent's job means they are in another country for the majority of the year and the other parent is able to be around for the kisd - shouldn't the resident parent get custody, am I missing something

[TheSickEmpire]

6. The problem is kids going to other people

not just to the other parent. And does that change in custody have to be permanent?

I would never want to be seperated from my mom forever.

[LibraLabSoldier]

8. Once lost......

It is very hard to get back. Not everyones parents wanted them to join the service. Some see it as a way of getting back. My own parents barely speak to me, especially since they dont see how I can be a soldier and talk bad about the President.

[TheSickEmpire]

9. Whatever happened to unconditional love?

I'm very sorry that your parents are that cruel to you.

Here's a hug :hug: