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| A Veteran's Thoughts |
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I spent this week with about 500 DOD folks. Some very young. Some not so young anymore. All have a sense of patriotism that is deep and part of their core being. There was one man I talked to who is 82 years old. Volunteered to fight in World War II. Still serving as an advisor to one of the DOD offices. He told me that many of the World War II vets are gone now and several die every year.
I thought about Angie's grandfather (still living last I had heard) and Wyatt's grandfather (gone to be with the Lord a few years ago), too. Both heroes to me.
As I was leaving the conference today, I passed the same man in the hallway. I told him thanks. For what, he asked. I told him I was thankful he was willing to give his life for me and my family. He smiled and said it was no big deal. He asked me to remember the men and women who are fighting now. I told him I would never forget them.
For all of the World War II vets still around, I offer you this song. The person singing it isn't the greatest singer, but it comes from the heart.
http://www.managedmusic.com/Music/PlayBeforeYouGo.php |
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| To add a comment to "A Veteran's Thoughts" |
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| February 22, 2008 |
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| Our military deserves our support and we should proudly give it for they defend our freedom no matter the cost. I for one still get tears in my eyes when I hear "The Star Spangle Banner" and "God Bless America." Thank you for the post. |
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| February 22, 2008 |
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Excellent post. I didn't go to any of my jobsites today b/c I start a big one monday and needed to try to get some things done around the house. My wife surprised with me by having my daughter (just turned 5) recite from memory the pledge of allegience for me. Since my family has come to this country, we have served...my grandfathers both in WWII and Korea, my dad during vietnam, my older bro in desert storm, me, and my youngest brother.
I used to force my students to learn and write word for word the national anthem...they hated it and parents were outraged (only a couple) that that would happen in a math class...but you would shutter if you heard some of the things they would write b/c they had no idea what they were saying. When I introduced my little girl to the pledge I did so line by line explaining. She wanted to understand "indivisible, with liberty and justice for all" and I explained...not sure how it took but she is the only prek kid I have yet to meet who properly says "indivisible"
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| February 23, 2008 |
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Cheryl from Ga...I know what you mean about those songs. I don't understand how anybody can sit through the Star Spangled Banner.
Kudos to you Patrick for taking the time to make some kids understand the words to that precious song, and for teaching your daughter...solid foundations build solid temples. Oh, and a special thank you to your family for being willing to serve.
Pastor Tim, mine too. |
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| February 23, 2008 |
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| I stand firmly with all of our soldiers and vets. I feel so blessed for all that they have done and are still doing. with my dad recently dying I will be receiving his flag from the VA from when he was in vietnam in the navy, cried while listening to this song. Thank you for your post. God's blessings to you♥ |
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| February 23, 2008 |
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All those who serve to help our country deserve our respect and recognition. But those who do so and put their lives on the line get a special recognition - and honor.
"No man has greater love than he who would lay down his life for a brother." |
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| February 23, 2008 |
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Amen,
And thanks for caring. |
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| February 23, 2008 |
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| Amen! Amen! |
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| February 23, 2008 |
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| Awesome comments all. Thanks! ...and thanks to the ones who put the song together... |
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| February 23, 2008 |
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From a former USAF Desert Storm Vet: "Thank you to all the men and women who serve and protect our FREEDOMS, without us there would be no UNITED STATES of AMERICA!"
Thank you!
David |
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| February 23, 2008 |
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My Daddy was a Veteran. He was in the Army and fought in Korea, and had his first heart attack over there. He came back a changed man, Grandma said. War changes those who survive it.
My Brother is a Retired Colonel from the Marines. He worked in the Nuclear Stuff; I can't tell you anything more; it's not allowed. He went to the service as a boy and came out as a man, and a leader. He suffered... as they all do.
God bless each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart. You are loved not only by your families but by the American Citizens and everyone you protect. |
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| February 23, 2008 |
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Thank you for your service David...and to your family for theirs Joey!
I know there are deployed military that read my blog. Be encouraged folks. We stand behind you and we thank you all. |
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| April 25, 2008 |
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For those who don't know, Angie's grandfather died recently, too... |
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| April 26, 2008 |
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My father was a WWII vet, he passed away Jan 25th, 2008. He held on strong with his disease, we all knew that he was waiting for my son to come home.
My son came home from Kuwait in Oct. In fact, the bus rolled in on his 30th birthday. His story is one like many others ......his first deployment, he left a wife, son, and new 3 week old son.....missed the first year of his new son's life. Second deployment, he left a wife, 2 sons, and new 2 month old daughter.....missed the first year of her life. Now, he is home and out of the military, finishing his Master's. And guess what? There's a baby due in August!
My nephew is currently serving in Iraq......everytime my son came home, my nephew left :(
I found out through all of this, that we too as family lose alot of freedoms for freedom in this.....things I will never take for granted anymore like picking up the phone anytime I want and saying " Hi son, how are you!" and the hard part of late night calls hearing my grandson crying for his daddy and trying to comfort him.
I, also, learned from this that my daughter n love is a hero too!!!!! God bless her!
If you would like to read our story...... here's the link
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/204674/ |
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| April 26, 2008 |
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I so hope they reinstate the draft. i believe the next President, whoever it is will have to.
We are close to a war with Iran and our vets can't keep up all this stress forever. The average vet in WW2 saw 40 days of combat. We, in Vietnam saw on an average of 240 days.
Now we have these kids doing three and four tours at a time. It angers me that there are so many young men who don't care. I so wish I were 19 again and could go back in. It hurts to see these fine soldiers take all the weight on their shoulders! |
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| April 26, 2008 |
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| Without the draft it does make it so that only those who really want to be there are there - with the exception of a few who are there because a judge told them to enlist. I am not sure about reinstating the draft. That would be a major move and one that won't be politically correct. However, it does give everybody a vested interest in assuring war is limited and truly the last resort. |
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| April 26, 2008 |
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| Cindy, thank you for your sacrifice. Your family has certainly paid a healthy price for our freedom and I think you. The article was really good and shows how these long deployments impact the kids, too. Thanks for sharing it. |
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| April 26, 2008 |
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Thanks :) I think it is the hardest when people thank you, LOL......I know that sounds crazy, but if we are honest and truthful.....I don't know of a parent or spouse that doesn't have a little anger, resentment, and a whole range of emotions over their soldier. Even guilt plays in.....he's there, and I'm here feeling like I'm not doing enough. My son went legally blind while over there....iritis.....and momma side kicked in on me.....there was nothing I could do......and sadly, the military couldn't fix him either......so they sent him to a doctor in Kuwait City. The doc gave him lots of meds.....said "take them"......LOL.......they weren't written in English, except for the name!!!!! No food instructions, nothing...........son calls me, Praise the LORD, my husband who has MS had taken the same meds!!!!! I got the bottles out and read them to him......without food he would have been one real sick puppy!!!!!
Patriotic songs are really hard for me.....I'm struggling right now with one we're singing in church on Memorial Day......gotta get past the tears, LOLOL |
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| April 27, 2008 |
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Hey Cindy,
If you've followed my son's story, I have similar thoughts. Tears are good, they keep your heart soft, but, there are days when listening to country music is hard. They are some patriotic fools! |
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| April 27, 2008 |
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Dennis, it's hard isn't it????? Honestly, my son will not listen to any patriotic songs that have come out of this.....it angers him, because he says they could have written those before all of this......
Tears are good......but sometimes just toooooooooo much, LOL |
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