Soldier's Mother "Ecstatic" about Obama's Bracelet

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POSTED: Sunday, September 28, 2008 --- 4:40 p.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The mother of a Wisconsin soldier who died in Iraq says she was "ecstatic" during Friday's debate when Senator Barack Obama mentioned the bracelet she gave him in honor of her son.

Tracy Jopek of Merrill told The Associated Press on Sunday she was honored that he remembered Sgt. Ryan David Jopek, who was killed in 2006 by a roadside bomb.

She criticized Internet reports that suggested Obama exploited her son for political purposes.

She acknowledges e-mailing the campaign in February asking that Obama not mention her son in speeches or debates.

But she says Obama's mention on Friday was appropriate because he was responding after Senator John McCain said a soldier's mother gave him a bracelet.

Jopek says Obama's comment rightfully suggested there's more than one viewpoint on the war.

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Posted by: Michelle DeMello Location: Oregon on Oct 16, 2008 at 03:28 PM
My nephew PFC Seth Stanton was killed with the soldier named on McCains bracelet. Up front I am a Obama supporter. I have a problem with either one of them wearing the bracelet. I have a bracelet with my nephews nameI bought mine in 2007. I do feel like the death of our boys is being used as a political statement. Seth was not a statement he was an amazing 19 year old boy whos death has left a hole in our life that will never be fixed. He was a son, a brother, a nephew and a friend not just a name. Almost two years later we still cry on a regular basis for a loss much bigger a political gain they think they are getting by wearing them. If you are wearing them cause you believe in supporting our troops great. Wear it proudly but remember the name you talk about on the campaign trail was not alone when he was killed. Wear your bracelet with the dignity it was given to you. Silently with deep appriciation for the mother who will never hold her child again.

Posted by: chris Location: austin, tx on Oct 6, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Yes, Senator Obama is wearing a HeroBracelet in the name of SGT Jopek. The bracelet was presented to him by his mother. I am with HeroBracelets.org and Senator McCain and President Bush have both been presented HeroBracelts by the mothers of fallen soldiers. Recently, other members of the Jopek family have ordered HeroBracelets to "read exactly like the bracelet Senator Obama is wearing." So, from my direct experience, this is a non-issue. In addition, this is from an AP news story: "Tracy Jopek of Merrill told The Associated Press on Sunday she was honored that Obama remembered Sgt. Ryan David Jopek, who was killed in 2006 by a roadside bomb. Jopek criticized Internet reports suggesting Obama, D-Ill., exploited her son for political purposes. "I don't understand how people can take that and turn it into some garbage on the Internet," she said. Jopek acknowledged e-mailing the Obama campaign in February asking that the presidential candidate not mention her son in speeches or de

Posted by: Joe Location: Ohio on Oct 1, 2008 at 06:57 PM
LOL! You people crack me up! Why can't you just get over that the story was fake. Just get over it and move on to actually issues. This bickering makes me sick. All this based of statements from her ex? How many of your ex's would tell lies about you?

Posted by: docjenn Location: seattle on Oct 1, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Maybe that's why Obama took pause... because he was considering the request of the family and then judging (correctly) that it would be appropriate in the situation.

Posted by: Richie Location: US on Sep 30, 2008 at 03:35 AM
I'd bet a new set of tires this is a made up lie, you Obama people are the dumbest lot I've ever seen

Posted by: Jon Location: Flemington NJ on Sep 30, 2008 at 12:47 AM
It's funny how NBC is reporting this. There is a transcript of the family's on a radio program that asked Obama not to where the bracelet. http://newsbusters.org/blogs/warner-todd-huston/2008/09/28/family-told-obama-not-wear-soldier-sons-bracelet-where-media

Posted by: adam Location: madison on Sep 29, 2008 at 09:41 PM
"i have a bracelet too" "uh uh uh uh" looks down at notes... finally says the soldiers name... yah, i wouldnt be ecstatic about that when u cant remember a name..

Posted by: neema Location: Jacksonville on Sep 29, 2008 at 03:05 PM
I recently saw this video called yes we can @ http://digg.com/politics/Nat_Wolff_and_Natasha_Bedingfield_Obama_Video_Yes_we_can It was done by a two young brothers singing and it supports Barack Obama. It is an inspirational video that is truly perfect for Obama.

Posted by: Bob Location: D'ville on Sep 29, 2008 at 02:07 PM
It did appear that Obama was having a little difficulty remembering the man's name... I thought the "Well, I've got a bracelet too", smacked of a child that didn't want to be outdone by another... along the lines of "Well, my dad can beat up your dad"...

Posted by: Garv Location: Michigan on Sep 29, 2008 at 01:40 PM
It's a good thing the soldier's name was printed on it. I felt a little embarrassed for Obama as he squirmed trying to remember the man's name. Thankfully he looked down long enough to read his beloved 'reminder' bracelet.

Posted by: Adam Location: St Paul on Sep 29, 2008 at 11:15 AM
So, if you post on blog, you get to decide what her position should be. And her position should be that Sen. Obama should not point out that some military parents who have lost their children are not in favor of an endless war. And obviously from the lenghty TV interviews she's been giving on the subject, she see this as her window to fame. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and to passionately support the candidate of their choosing, but to a decry the mother of a fallen soldier, who you would be celebrating if she held an alternate viewpoint, goes way beyond cynical. It's just pathetic. Try to gather your decency before you open your mouth and go for your keyboard again.

Posted by: tim Location: fl on Sep 28, 2008 at 09:57 PM
you see that is the difference between mcain reaching for political pts by exploiting fallen soldiers, pow and mia and our nations sacrifices to pretty his campaign; while obama is more concentrated on real issues that face our nation, he still has time to get wristband oh! and go to debates.

Posted by: Tim Location: Joiner on Sep 28, 2008 at 08:17 PM
So... she specifically asked him not to use her son's name. At the time of this debate, he would have still been under the impression she did not want him to use her son's name. Yet, he did anyway. Regardless of what she says or feels now, after the fact, at the time he said it, he was choosing to ignore her stated wishes because they interfered with his path to the White House.

Posted by: Katablog.com Location: Kansas on Sep 28, 2008 at 08:04 PM
After Mrs. Jopek asked The One to stop using her son's name, just when did she then grant him permission to use it again. Or is this as her ex-husband said, she supports Obama and didn't want to embarrass him so now she has to be "ecstatic" because the story's out.

Posted by: Arkietwo Location: Arkansas on Sep 28, 2008 at 06:51 PM
It's quite all right for the mother to ask the Obama campaign to not mention her son in speeches and debates. She simply didn't expressly say that, now wait a minute, as the mother of a fallen hero and as a citizen of the USA, she has a right to change her mind depending on the circumstances of the moment. For instance the opportunity to gain her "10 Mnutes Of Fame" if it becomes available. Which it has - Obama can bless her decision and "Shazam" - it is as saaid so shall it be written.

Posted by: Ray Location: Skwire on Sep 28, 2008 at 05:29 PM
Kudos to the mother for speaking out.

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