Sophy Haynes proudly displays a gold star on a white background framed in red, white, and blue on the front door of her Upper West Side apartment. The star is a memorial to the 80-year-old’s son, 1st Sgt. Schuyler Haynes, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Baquba, Iraq in 2006.
Almost two years after her son’s death at age 40, Haynes voted Tuesday for the next president. Her choice: John McCain. The reason: he is stronger on the economy and national defense.
‘My Son Gave His Life’
“I’m opposed to bringing the troops home too soon,” Haynes said. “My son gave his life, and a lot of others did, and I don’t think we should pull the troops out.”
Women such as Haynes – mothers of soldiers killed while serving in war – are called “Gold Star Mothers,” a term which dates back to World War I, when the families of soldiers began displaying a gold star for a loved one killed during active duty.
Although Haynes said she is generally a Republican, this election she is not voting along party lines. In the 2004 election, she voted for John Kerry over George W. Bush.
Haynes’ decision to vote for McCain is also a practical one. In addition to supporting McCain’s stance on the war, she agrees with his economic plans. Calling Sen. Barack Obama’s financial policies “really scary,” she said the economic crisis is the most important issue to her in this election.
A Job to Finish
“The economy has completely overridden the war,” she said.
Haynes reflects back on her son. The troops have a job to finish, she said.
“Obviously, I want to see the war end right. Then all these guys won’t have died for nothing.”
Before leaving home to vote, she passed several pictures of the son she still calls “Schuy.”
