Soldier's mother: 'We as a nation cannot forget'

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- As the U.S. enters its sixth year in the War in Iraq, one military mother fears the nation is becoming too lax in showing support for American troops overseas.

Doris Kent is determined to make sure no one forgets her son's sacrifice.

Jonathan Santos was killed while serving in Iraq on Oct. 15, 2004.

"My life stopped and I didn't know what to do with myself anymore. I didn't know what my role was in life. I didn't know who I was anymore, because I didn't have this child," said Kent.

All that's left of her beloved son are pictures and his diary.

"You're reading along, and you're seeing how amazing this young man was. Then you get to Oct. 15th and it's blank," Kent said.

Kent worries too many are becoming disinterested about the war as the U.S. enters its sixth year of involvement.

"When I walk downtown, there's no evidence that there's a war going on, people are just doing what we do everyday," she said.

Nearly 4,000 men and women have died in Iraq, and more than 140,000 are still in harm's way.

"His (Santos') life being taken and the ultimate sacrifice he made, we as a nation cannot forget."

To spread her message, Kent joined the national group Military Families Speak Out. In memory of her son, she is asking every American to speak up.

"The silence is truly killing our troops. They really do need to know that we support them in a way that we believe that they need to be brought home."

Kent's group says it is directing its message to the president, elected officials and to current presidential candidates.