Fallen Soldier's Dream Is Mother's Mission

(CBS)  Debbie Higgins has been fighting all her life, running a trucking company and raising three kids on her own.

Her hardest battle yet is trying to make her eldest son's last wish, a reality.

"He said, 'This is my mark in history mom. This is what I need to do,'" she tells CBS News correspondent Kimberly Dozier.

Two days before he was killed by a single sniper round in Fallujah, Marine Lance Cpl. James Higgins Jr. told his mom he wanted to build a memorial to all U.S. troops killed since the end of the Vietnam War.

Debbie Higgins admits it's what she needs to do to hang onto him.

"Like he's still here somewhere," says Dozier as they walk through James' room.

"Maybe I'm hoping for a hug," she says looking at his photo.

Joe Higgins still wears his older brother's watch and his dog tag.

"This was actually struck by the bullet," he says showing off the dog tag. "It went inside and came out the chest."

With James' Purple Heart, Medal of Valor and his image, friends have turned her bike into a mobile memorial.

"James just adored the flag, loved his country," Debbie Higgins said.

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Dozier Blogs: A Soldier's Mother On Her Own Mission

Eye To Eye: Making A Memorial

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Debbie Higgins says she talks to her son all the time and that grief is what's driving them. The local cemetery has donated land and Congress has signed off on it, but they've only raised $3,000 — they need $17 million.

She's kicked off an annual raffle, auctioning the kind of bike her son would have liked.

"My son asked me, the last time I spoke to him on the 23rd, not to leave anybody behind. To build a memorial for them," she tells a raffle ticket buyer.

It's sort of bake sale with a bikers' twist.

"This is for the vets, all us vets," says a biker who purchased a raffle ticket.

A day after the anniversary of her son's death, Debbie Higgins kicked off a fund-raising ride in honor of all of America's fallen.

Debbie Higgins says she probably won't break even this time. No matter.

"If I don't pick up and carry out his dream, then I'm letting him down and I can't do that. I refuse to do that as a mother," she said.

And she tells herself what James would say: "Don't give up."

[prinzowhales]

It is natural that we should celebrate the memory of those who died in the service of their country. It is also natural that we be prudent in the spending of those lifes and that heroes'' blood.

As citizens of a great Republic, we have not been prudent. We have taken their noble allegience to Constitution and Country and put it to vile and disgraceful usage in undeclared wars for Oil, Israel and Opium for an oligarchy''s profit.

As citizens of a great Republic, we have in cowardance and carelessness selected leaders who break their oathes to the "preserve, protect and defend, the Constitution of the United States."
When a Commander-in-Chief calls the Constitution of the United States, "just a G-- D--- piece of paper," he is no longer deserving to be C-i-C and if, as citizens, we had elected men instead of dogs to the Congress of the United States...this president would been impeached long ago...but we have made ourselves comfortable with the ''lesser evil'' in almost all areas of endeavour...

By all means, erect a monument...parks and graveyards are full of them...but, a more fitting monument to these fallen servicemen would be the creation of a citizenry worthy of their sacrifice--one that had the stomach to stand up for the Republic and the Constitution and not for the glib words and alogical pronouncements of a dry drunk and coke head and his equally squalid and obtuse fellows

[sharncedar]

The sense that we can make of this soldier''s death is to get revenge on those who killed him - Pelosi, Clinton, Cheney, Bush. Until they have been tried and punished, his soul will not rest. Lies won''t fool the dead, neither do foolish statements about the value of the sacrifice. This sacrifice was a waste unless we make it good; this was a senseless killing unless we take the action to make America better for it, to put the killers behind bars. Pelosi, Clinton, Cheney, Bush. Infamous names of chickenhawk murderers. They slept with the enemy while our heroes died. Let us never forget. Let us resolve to honor the gift of American heroes, to plant their blood like corn in our holy land. Blood is required as the price of blood, blood is required from the traitor.

Find the courage to name the traitors, to reject their lies. Be worthy of America.

[grammawhamma]

MrHoppy "if" you are an American citizen I wish you would relocate to a country that you would feel proud of.

I am proud to be an American. I get emotional with pride when I sing our national anthem. I don''t like any war but our soldiers are heroes. God bless our troops!!

[lois747]

i think it''s great wants she want to accomplish. you also must remember, a memorial does not have to cost millions. it could be a big rock (see link below) put in a local park. what she is doing is a living memorial. sometimes the simplest things are the best. good luck to you.
http://www.usa-patriotism.com/photos/special/usa_rock.htm

[inmo-2009]

I cannot velieve what I am reading?
this is a traumatic story but one that will realize a hero''s dream and help us pay homage to all the soliders and eros acorss the country.
As a journalist I have certain feelings about soliders and heros as a citizen I have others.
I am a bestfirend of a single mom seving in Iraq-her 3rd deployment to the area since 2003 - I am the sister of a young man who has cried b/c he cannot stand beside his brothers on the front lines - I am the daughter who sees the twinges of flashbacks as my Vietnam Vet. father watches images of Iraq on screen - I am the AMERICAN who SUPPORTS her country and its soliders and hero - no matter what uniform they do or do not wear.

I am sorry for the families loss and hope they get some peace in knowing that true AMERICANS support the troops.

Anyone who wants to disrespect our military, ur police, firefighters our everyday heros needs to ask themselves why they are so against these groups? then ask yourself that question when you are sitting in a country where you would be executed for even saying some of these horrible comments you have posted.
Go home - America is not your home - America is the land of the free - thanks to our military. You want the rights and priveleges that come with their lost lives but you don;t support them. LEAVE America.

[tattedragon]

Sadly everyone gets an opinion about things, the war may be "stupid" to people but regardless of your OPINION, you should support OUR men and women fighting over there for your FREEDOM of opinion and NEVER forget that THEY sacrifice for you to say what you want. THAT is why I have a personally made bumper sticker that says "I believe in the red, white and blue... THEY sacrifice for your freedom of opinion" My brother is a US Military police serving over in Iraq who volunteered for what he believes in, like all the other soldiers who are there. God bless your son James, I am SO very sorry for your loss, his dream NEEDS to be fulfilled for him and all the other vets, don''t give up!! SEMPER FI..... from my dad who is a Marine and served in Vietnam.

[druss01]

Mr. Moppy:

I do not agree with the war either, but I do support those men an women over there and pray they are sent home soon.

James would have never deserted as he felt it was his duty as a marine and as an American.

His uncle,
Darrell

[druss01]

James:

You song did not make it to the story. However, it is for you! "Have You Learned to Fly?" is in Germany waiting to see about production. Whatever the case, you are missed and loved and I hope you rest in peace. I hope you are pleased with your mom''s efforts. Rest in peace my dear nephew. I will see you in heaven.

Darrell

this is to mrhoppy, you are a cruel and evil person who has so much hatred in your heart it must be choking you!this is inexcusable cruelty to a mother who has lost so much already. to tell her that the honorable thing for her son to have done was to desert is pure hatred and terribly hurtful. i can only hope and pray that this grieving mother never sees your mean-spirited comments. this poster obviously doesn''t know that if brave men and women hadn''t fought and died for their right to free speech, they could be killed for even saying this. others have died for your freedom and you spit on their graves. i would say you should be ashamed, but you don''t have the capacity for any kind of human kindness or compassion. you must be a very sad and lonely person. that others would fight and die for you and you see them as fascists shows your true character, not theirs! God bless our military now and always!

[ike2146]

May you rest in peace Lcpl Higgins Jr. And I hope your mother makes your dreams come true. And yes, FireFighters are HEROS too. God Bless all who wear a uniform, and put themselves in harms way!!

Fmr SSgt Isaacson
USMC 1997-2005