My only child, Ken Ballard, joined the Army after graduating High School in 1995. As an Army granddaughter, Army daughter, Army sister, and Army mom, I couldn't be more proud of his decision.
He was stationed in Bosnia as an enlisted soldier with the 1st Armored Division, and later attended college on the Army Green to Gold scholarship before he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Army in 2002.
He deployed to Iraq in May of 2003, and 384 days later he was killed while fighting an Iranian-backed militia in Najaf. He had been scheduled to return home eight days earlier, but his tour was extended.
This week, I'll carry his memory with me to Washington, D.C. where I plan to encourage members of Congress to back a diplomacy-first approach to keep Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Not only is this deal the best way to ensure Iran isn't able to gets it's hands on the bomb, but Congress must act to move our military away from another war in the Middle East.
Add your name to the VoteVets petition supporting the Iran deal. Together, we'll deliver your name members of Congress later today, and to the White House on Thursday.
Ken and I chatted online or on the phone almost every day -- he was the kind of son everyone should have.
Since his death, I've been active in the Gold Star and Veteran's communities as an advocate for military families. I feel as if my trip to Washington, D.C this week is an extension of that work and support. And I thank you for adding your name to mine ahead of my visit.
All my best,
Karen Meredith
Gold Star Mom
VoteVets
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