you know what kept running through my head while i was writing this? tabaqui's Wolfpack 'verse, where some vet asks them why they aren't over in Iraq and John says, "The mill won't grind my boys."

i think we know dean's feelings 'being a marine' far better than john's (he is our holden caulfield after all), but i don't know that john would be willing to let the boys that far away from him. maybe this is me being miss west coast, but i think you can still be proud and be unwilling to let your child sign up.

thanks for all your help, you've really been a life saver! *HUG*