A Military Wife an Kids Journey

2005-12-16T20:30:00.000-05:00

This was sent to me by one of our Army Chaplain Assistants over in Iraq.

Christmas at the Gas Station

The old man sat in his gas station on a cold Christmas Eve. He hadn't been anywhere in years since his wife had passed away. It was just another day to him. He didn't hate Christmas, just couldn't find a reason to celebrate. He was sitting there looking at the snow that had been falling for the last hour and wondering what it was all about when the door opened and a homeless man stepped through.

Instead of throwing the man out, Old George as he was known by his customers, told the man to come and sit by the heater and warm up. "Thank you, but I don't mean to intrude," said the stranger. "I see you're busy, I'll just go."

"Not without something hot in your belly." George said. He turned and opened a wide mouth Thermos and handed it to the stranger. "It ain't much, but it's hot and tasty, stew ... made it myself. When you're done, there's coffee and it's fresh."

Just at that moment he heard the "ding" of the driveway bell. "Excuse me, be right back," George said. There in the driveway was an old '53 Chevy. Steam was rolling out of the front. The driver was panicked. "Mister can you help me!" said the driver, with a deep Spanish accent. "My wife is with child and my car is broken."

George opened the hood. It was bad. The block looked cracked from the cold, the car was dead. "You ain't going in this thing," George said as he turned away.

"But Mister, please help ..." The door of the office closed behind George as he went inside. He went to the office wall and got the keys to his old truck, and went back outside. He walked around the building, opened the garage, started the truck and drove it around to where the couple was waiting. "Here, take my truck," he said. "She ain't the best thing you ever looked at, but she runs real good."

George helped put the woman in the truck and watched as it sped off into the night. He turned and walked back inside the office. "Glad I gave 'em the truck, their tires were shot too. That 'ol truck has brand new ..." George thought he was talking to the stranger, but the man had gone. The Thermos was on the desk, empty, with a used coffee cup beside it. "Well, at least he got something in his belly," George thought.

George went back outside to see if the old Chevy would start. It cranked slowly, but it started. He pulled it into the garage where the truck had been. He thought he would tinker with it for something to do. Christmas Eve meant no customers. He discovered the the block hadn't cracked, it was just the bottom hose on the radiator. "Well, shoot, I can fix this," he said to himself. So he put a new one on.

"Those tires ain't gonna get 'em through the winter either." He took the snow treads off of his wife's old Lincoln. They were like new and he wasn't going to drive the car anyway.

As he was working, he heard shots being fired. He ran outside and beside a police car an officer lay on the cold ground. Bleeding from the left shoulder, the officer moaned, "Please help me."

George helped the officer inside as he remembered the training he had received in the Army as a medic. He knew the wound needed attention. "Pressure to stop the bleeding," he thought. The uniform company had been there that morning and had left clean shop towels. He used those and duct tape to bind the wound. "Hey, they say duct tape can fix anythin'," he said, trying to make the policeman feel at ease.

"Something for pain," George thought. All he had was the pills he used for his back. "These ought to work." He put some water in a cup and gave the policeman the pills. "You hang in there, I'm going to get you an ambulance."

The phone was dead. "Maybe I can get one of your buddies on that there talk box out in your car." He went out only to find that a bullet had gone into the dashboard destroying the two way radio.

He went back in to find the policeman sitting up. "Thanks," said the officer. "You could have left me there. The guy that shot me is still in the area."

George sat down beside him, "I would never leave an injured man in the Army and I ain't gonna leave you." George pulled back the bandage to check for bleeding. "Looks worse than what it is. Bullet passed right through 'ya. Good thing it missed the important stuff though. I think with time your gonna be right as rain."

George got up and poured a cup of coffee. "How do you take it?" he asked. "None for me," said the officer.

"Oh, yer gonna drink this. Best in the city. Too bad I ain't got no donuts." The officer laughed and winced at the same time.

The front door of the office flew open. In burst a young man with a gun. "Give me all your cash! Do it now!" the young man yelled. His hand was shaking and George could tell that he had never done anything like this before.

"That's the guy that shot me!" exclaimed the officer.

"Son, why are you doing this?" asked George. "You need to put the cannon away. Somebody else might get hurt."

The young man was confused. "Shut up old man, or I'll shoot you, too. Now give me the cash!" The cop was reaching for his gun. "Put that thing away," George said to the cop, "we got one too many in here now."

He turned his attention to the young man. "Son, it's Christmas Eve. If you need money, well then, here. It ain't much but it's all I got. Now put that pee shooter away."

George pulled $150 out of his pocket and handed it to the young man, reaching for the barrel of the gun at the same time. The young man released his grip on the gun, fell to his knees and began to cry. "I'm not very good at this, am I? All I wanted was to buy something for my wife and son," he went on. "I've lost my job, my rent is due, my car got repossessed last week ..."

George handed the gun to the cop. Son, we all get in a bit of squeeze now and then. The road gets hard sometimes, but we make it through the best we can."

He got the young man to his feet, and sat him down on a chair across from the cop. "Sometimes we do stupid things." George handed the young man a cup of coffee. "Bein' stupid is one of the things that makes us human. Comin' in here with a gun ain't the answer. Now sit there and get warm and we'll sort this thing out."

The young man had stopped crying. He looked over to the cop. "Sorry I shot you. It just went off. I'm sorry officer."

"Shut up and drink your coffee." the cop said.

George could hear the sounds of sirens outside. A police car and an ambulance skidded to a halt. Two cops came through the door, guns drawn. "Chuck! You ok?" one of the cops asked the wounded officer.

"Not bad for a guy who took a bullet. How did you find me?"

"GPS locator in the car. Best thing since sliced bread. Who did this?" the other cop asked as he approached the young man.

Chuck answered him, "I don't know. The guy ran off into the dark. Just dropped his gun and ran."

George and the young man both looked puzzled at each other.

"That guy work here?," the wounded cop continued. "Yep," George said, "just hired him this morning. Boy lost his job."

The paramedics came in and loaded Chuck onto the stretcher. The young man leaned over the wounded cop and whispered, "Why?"

Chuck just said, "Merry Christmas boy ... and you too, George, and thanks for everything."

"Well, looks like you got one doozy of a break there. That ought to solve some of your problems." George went into the back room and came out with a box. He pulled out a ring box. "Here you go, something for the little woman. I don't think Martha would mind. She said it would come in handy some day."

The young man looked inside to see the biggest diamond ring he ever saw. "I can't take this," said the young man. "It means something to you."

"And now it means something to you," replied George. "I got my memories. That's all I need."

George reached into the box again. An airplane, a car and a truck appeared next. They were toys that the oil company had left for him to sell. "Here's something for that little man of yours."

The young man began to cry again as he handed back the $150 that the old man had handed him earlier.

"And what are you supposed to buy Christmas dinner with? You keep that too," George said. "Now git home to your family."

The young man turned with tears streaming down his face. "I'll be here in the morning for work, if that job offer is still good."

"Nope. I'm closed Christmas day," George said. "See ya the day after."

George turned around to find that the stranger had returned. "Where'd you come from? I thought you left?"

"I have been here. I have always been here," said the stranger. "You say you don't celebrate Christmas. Why?"

"Well, after my wife passed away, I just couldn't see what all the bother was. Puttin' up a tree and all seemed a waste of a good pine tree. Bakin' cookies like I used to with Martha just wasn't the same by myself and besides I was gettin' a little chubby."

The stranger put his hand on George's shoulder. "But you do celebrate the holiday, George.

* You gave me food and drink and warmed me when I was cold and hungry.
* The woman with child will bear a son and he will become a great doctor.
* The policeman you helped will go on to save 19 people from being killed by terrorists.
* The young man who tried to rob you will make you a rich man and not take any for himself.

"That is the spirit of the season and you keep it as good as any man."

George was taken aback by all this stranger had said. "And how do you know all this?" asked the old man.

"Trust me, George. I have the inside track on this sort of thing. And when your days are done you will be with Martha again."

The stranger moved toward the door. "If you will excuse me, George, I have to go now. I have to go home where there is a big celebration planned."

George watched as the old leather jacket and the torn pants that the stranger was wearing turned into a white robe. A golden light began to fill the room.

"You see, George ... it's My birthday. Merry Christmas."

George fell to his knees and replied, "Happy Birthday, Lord."

~ author unknown ~

MTV True Life

2005-12-14T12:32:00.000-05:00

MTV is doing a true life documetary on soliders coming home from Iraq. Well I aswer the mail about it and told them Billy ans I story. From what I do and he dose on a day today basies. Well we met the casting call and they will be here to tape his homecoming!!!! Yes I am freaking out I can't belive this is really happening to us. Now eveyone can see what really gose on with the Military Wife! Haven't told Billy yet, I haven't heard him. Hun if you read this before you talk to me I love you and this is you 15 minutes of fame!

I'll keep you updated on what is going on here!

"The Ten Commandments of a Military Wife"

2005-12-11T10:39:00.000-05:00

1.Thou shalt not write in ink in thy address book.

2.Thou shalt not covet choice assignments of other uniformed braches of service.

3.Love thy neighbor.

4. Honor thy Commissary and Exchange as long as they both shall live.

5.Thou shalt not ridicule a local politician, for mighty senators from local politicians grow.

6.Thou shall look for the best in every assignment, even though the best may be. "The most childhood diseases in one year," or "Record snow in one months time."

7. Thou shall remember all thy friends from all thy assignments, with greeting cards at Christmas, for thou never knowest when thou may wish to spendeth a night with them while enroute to a new post/base.

8.Be kind and gentle to retired, white-haired Exchange and Commissary customers, because thou too will be a retiree someday.

9.Thou shalt not curse thy husband when he's on TDY on moving day.

10.Thou must never arrive at a new post/base and constantly brag about how everything was much better at the last post/base.

Author Unknown

You know when your soldier is deployed when........

2005-12-11T10:34:00.000-05:00

1. You wear old sweatpants and sweatshirts to bed.

2. You can watch whatever you want on TV without arguing with him first.

3. You get up in the middle of the night to check your e-mail or you stay on the computer all night waiting for them to get on.

4. You sleep with your cell phone incase he calls in the middle of the night.

5. You love watching cute love movies because it reminds you of all the cute things he does when he's home.

6. You haven't shaved your legs in weeks. lol

7. The mailman knows you because you are always out waiting for him to come.

8. You start paying close attention in class when the words "military" or "Iraq" are mentioned.

9. You suddenly have an obsession with anything military related.

10. You see someone wearing an army, navy, or usmc shirt and you get this overwhelming urge to talk to them.

11. You make friends with strangers online just because they are in the same situation as you and are the only ones that can truly understand what you are going through.

12. You can't decide what to wear when you meet him at the airport because his flight comes in at a ridiculous hour in the morning and you want to look cute, but not too cute, because your cutest outfit you want to save for your first full day together.

13. Your first Christmas together is.... Apart.

14. You find yourself checking your e-mail every fifteen minutes. (hah more like every 5!!!)

15. You know all the time differences between where you are and Iraq, Ireland, Kuwait, Italy, Germany, Korea, and every state in the U.S.

16. The highlight of your day is getting a letter that was mailed a month ago.

17. And if you don't get a letter, the highlight of your day is writing him a letter that you know he will be able to read in a month.

18. You realize that HOMECOMING is so much more than a football game.

19. You want to hit any happy couple you see together.

20. You get excited about "unknown" phone numbers calling you

21. You've exhausted every idea a brain could have of what to put in a box.

22. You see a "support our troops" sticker on a car when you are stuck in traffic and you find yourself guessing about who they know that is deployed and thinking about their entire life story.

23. When the clock says 11:11, you find yourself wishing for the same thing everytime: a call from your soldier.

24. You get excited when its only 9 months until you see your soldier instead of 12!

25. You can't stand girls that talk about missing their boyfriends who live a few hours away. You just want to yell "drive and go see them them" because if you had the chance, you would jump on the first plane to go see your soldier no matter how far it is.

26. You don't know what teams are on top for football, basketball, etc.

27. You wouldn't dream of walking out of the house without the cell phone and every number you have is forwarded to that cell.

28. You find yourself randomly crying from just looking at a picture of the two of you together.

29. You find yourself randomly crying and you sometimes have no idea why.

30. You stay on the Internet for hours searching for anything and everything about the military.

31. You talk to your friends about him so much that they know his full name, birthday and even his favorite color.

32. You are reading this and smiling and nodding because you know it's so true!

My Wish List for Christmas Too

2005-12-09T22:38:00.000-05:00

OK Everyone....this one is a tear jerker!!! Sometimes I think my friends enjoy seeing how often they can make me cry with these emails..lol!
But, since I can't have my husband home from Iraq for Christmas....then this is my Christmas wish too!!!!

Christmas List from Iraq

It never fails, Christmas has slipped up on me again, and everyone wants to know what I want for Christmas. I know that everyone is just trying to show their love and support, but I truly struggle with a list every year. Luckily, I have lots of time again this year to reflect on Why I find this simple task so hard. Here is what I have come up with so far:

My list is difficult because I truly don't need anything. I already have the things that mean the most to me. I have a loving wife that has stood by me and has always looked on the bright side of every difficult task placed on her door step by either the Army or by me. I have kids that I love dearly. They have been the focal point of our family since the day they were born. I have my health and the health of my family. Everything else is just an added bonus.
Unfortunately, I am still faced with the task of providing everyone a list of things that will somehow make my life more full. Well let's go ahead and start with the difficult one's first:
I want to be able to use the same flight roster to
go home that I used to come over here (no deleted names!)
I want to drop by Mortuary Affairs and find them
playing basketball because they are BORED instead of always catching them
exhausted from a long nights work.
I want ALL of my soldiers to actually get through on
the phone Christmas Day.
I want my buddy to be magically transported home to
see his son, born December 2nd 2005.
I want the soldier that stands out in front of the
chow hall ensuring that nobody slips in with weapons is warm and dry while
the rest of us eat.
I want all the soldiers out on convoys to bring
their vehicles back without holes in them from bullets or IEDs.
I want this to be the last time that I or my
platoon or our children have to visit Iraq and I want it to be because we
solved the problems here not because we get pulled out before we are
finished.
I want all the people in all the support groups
that remembered us this tour to look in the mirror and feel as good today
as they have made us feel with every box we received.
And lastly I want the families of all fallen
service members to know that they are not alone. We share the pain of
losing there loved ones (our brothers and sisters) and always will.
Hopefully you now understand why I find my list so
hard. Maybe I just want too much. I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday
season.

Army ooooo!

2005-12-08T17:11:00.000-05:00

Well we where suposed to go to Indiana, Well bad but good news. Don't know when we will be there. Billy got put on a push pull team. It sucks he said it was an honor to do that and there will be a medal he is getting for doing it. Also another tax free pay check for us. But it dosen't matter I hate it eighter way. I JUST WANT HIM HOME!!!!! Screw the pay check its not big as everyone thinks as it is. Oh well! So I pushed the ticker for him to come home to a later date. It will be sometime around the end of January.

Anyway he did his re enlist for 6 years today at 3:30. And we are leaving for Bliss before May 10th he has to be there before midnight. Anyway will update later after this "special Christmas" party that is supposed to have good news for us. But they are having santa there when they are telling us the news. For them doing that its not so good news as I see it. Always have to keep in the back of my mind that his contract dose say 12 months to 18 months oh well it the Army.
Update you all later

A Diffrent Christmas Poem & My Solider

2005-12-01T20:32:00.000-05:00

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I
gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,

My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,

Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,

Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,

So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,

But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,

Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,

And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,

A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,

Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,

Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,

"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,

Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

I'm out here by choice.
I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,

That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,

I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"

Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',

And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,

But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,

The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
"I can live through the cold and the being alone,

Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,

Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,

To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,

Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,

For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,

"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,

To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,

That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

WE ALL NEED TO PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL EVERY NIGHT!

My Solider

Our lady, she wept over the flames,
the pain was deeper than ever before.
We were glued to our screens, both TV and PC,
Heard those four awful words, "our country's at war".

There goes my soldier.

Two different countries, just dropping in.
Democracy and freedom we rally with pride.
We cheered everyday with our families and friends.
Then we were shocked, our first hero had died.

Where is my soldier?

Our nation mourned, loss after loss,
the victories seemed so small.
Everynight more pictures and names on TV.
Of our brave men and women who'd fall.

Stay safe my soldier.

The months tick by and life goes on.
Pictures and yellow ribbons begin to fade.
The war replaced on the evening news,
with disasters and the mess they have made.

I miss my soldier.

Home for awhile, then gone again.
Children conceived and born over here.
Emails and phone calls to watch them grow.
Another year older in front of the mirror.

Come home my soldier.

Through all the heartache they remain strong.
You wont see them shed any tears.
Sons and daughters, husbands and wives.
Over there to keep us safe here.

I love my soldier.

Don't bat an eye at the anti-war crowd,
or waste your breath asking, "why?"
We are too long the silent majority,
with a recognized battle cry.....

Support Our Troops!!!!

please don't be offended if your loved one is in another branch, my
hubby is obviously Army. God bless....
Colleen

Wishing Everyone A Happy Thanksgiving

2005-11-24T20:24:00.000-05:00

I know it is hard for all of us missing are loves ones on Thanksgiving. But we have to hang in there for them. I have had a hard day and I know everyone else has missing each other! But we have to keep in the back of are minds that they are comming home soon!

I did talk to Bill today and him and the guys over there ate pretty good. The turkey was a little dry but it was still good to have a little something of home at the dinner talble. Like every year since we have been here. We have went around the table saying what we are thankfull for. Brooke said she is thankfull for the food we have today, Annie-Lee said that she is thankful for her Daddy and what he dose for everyone, I said that I am thankful for my kids even thou they can be a handfull most of the time, And Billy said that he is thankfull for all the family and friends that have shown him all the support they have to help him get threw this deployment.

I Just want to say Thank You to everyone how has helped us the this years deployment. Also Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Fort Bliss

2005-11-23T19:58:00.000-05:00

Fort Bliss, TX! In july we'll be moving to Bliss. I have gotten mixed talk from people about Bliss. So say nice some say hate it. I guess we will find out for ourselves. Well Billy will atleast get to see Amandas mom. He's in love with her. LOL Amanda! Sometime in July we leave I already looked at the housing nice on floor just have to explain to the kids exspecially Annie-Lee SUNBLOCK a must in the summer. His mom is a little pissed but he did it for his reasons. He signed up for 6 years so no call back if he didn't. He will not be deployable for 2 to 3 years . The kids and are happy with that. He also told us that he will have alot more time with us because of it being a training base. Elpaso is an hour away so there is stuff to do there. I look at the area it is not that bad like other people say. Shit we can go to mexico for the day. The kids will enjoy that. I have to get started getting papers ready for him. We seem to have hardley anytime when he gets home. So I guess this a good move. He said we will enjoy this. And he had his reasons for picking this base. So know it is just waiting for him to get home SAFTLY! Hopefully no more missions except to Kuwait. Advon is comming in around the middle of decmeber. Still January 1st is the date for him. Tell you if anything changes. But Bliss it is.

Fort Knox out of the Question

2005-11-22T16:17:00.000-05:00

I got his call this morning and there was nothing from Fort Knox. So all there is, is Fort Bliss TX or Fort Carson CO. I missed his call cause I had to take Annie-Lee in for this cough she can't get rid of. Its her allergies again. Her ashtma dosen't help either. Oh well I hope he called his father he usally dose when he can't reach me. But anyway he is doing okay. Still a bit shaken from the IED that hit the convoy he was on. He is fine just shaken he says. When it hit he jumped in the gunner hatch and did what he had to do that is all he told me. He said he would say more when he got home. Everyone else on the convoy wasn't hurt so that is a good thing! They are all just out of sorts. I'll keep you posted as soon as I here from him.

Talk to you later.

Fredom isn't free

2005-11-18T13:57:00.000-05:00

FREEDOM

A father misses his son’s first steps
Another his daughter’s first breath.
Parents missing celebrations,
Little league games and graduations.
They watch their kids grow up in pictures
They know FREEDOM ISN’T FREE.

A wife sits alone feeling overwhelmed
The responsibility all her own.
Feed the kids, take out the trash,
Wash the clothes and cut the grass
She does it all without complaint
She knows FREEDOM ISN’T FREE.

A mother sits and worries
So many miles away.
She checks the mail once again,
Hoping for word today.
That soldier fighting over there
In her heart is still her boy
The worrying goes on day to day
She knows FREEDOM ISN’T FREE.

Husbands, wives, sons and daughters
Who have answered our nation’s call.
Their hard work, sweat, and dedication
Are given daily to a war torn nation.
Through their diligence and sacrifice,
They work to teach a foreign people
They will not deter or give up the fight
Because FREEDOM ISN’T FREE

So, when you tuck your kids in bed
And kiss your spouse good night
Say a prayer and think of me,
My family makes the sacrifice.

YOUR FREEDOM ISN’T FREE.

The Final Inspection

2005-11-16T22:09:00.000-05:00

I have finally found it for you. When you get home I'll have it printed and framed for you. I love you and miss you. The kids say Hi and want you to call after school when you get a chance.

THE FINAL INSPECTION

The soldier stood and faced God,

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, you soldier,

How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To My Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,

"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.

Because those of us who carry guns,

Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,

And at times my talk was tough.

And sometimes I've been violent,

Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,

That wasn't mine to keep...

Though I worked a lot of overtime,

When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God, forgive me,

I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,

Among the people here.

They never wanted me around,

Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here,

Lord, It needn't be so grand.

I never expected or had too much,

But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,

Where the saints had often trod.

As the soldier waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you soldier,

You've borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets;

You've done your time in Hell."

~Author Unknown~

It's the Soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press.

It's the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.

It's the Soldier, not the politicians that ensures our right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

It's the Soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag.

If you care to offer the smallest token of recognition and appreciation for the Military, please pass this on and pray for our men and women who have served and are currently serving our country and pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

THESE COLORS DON'T RUN

A Soliders Christmas Story

2005-11-13T12:53:00.000-05:00

A Solider stationed in Okinawa Japan wrote this poem. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable . . . PLEASE. Would you do me a thoughtful favor of sending this poem to as many people as you can?Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate thesefestivities.

________________________________________

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone. I had come down the chimney with presents to give And to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about a strange sight I did see, No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand, On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind A sober thought came through my mind. For this house was different, so dark and dreary, I knew I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.

I heard stories about them, I had to see more So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door. And there he lay sleeping silent alone, Curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home.
His face so gentle, his room in such disorder, Not how I pictured a United States soldier. Was this the hero of whom I’d just read? Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan, I soon understood this was more than a man. For I realized the families that I saw that night Owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight.

Soon ‘round the world, the children would play, And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, Because of soldiers like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home. Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, "Santa don’t cry, this life is my choice; I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more, my life is my God, my country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over and drifted off into sleep, I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep. I watched him for hours, so silent and still, I noticed he shivered from the cold night’s chill.

So I took off my jacket, the one made of red, And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head. And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black, With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back.

And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride, And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside. I didn’t want to leave him on that cold dark night, This guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, whispered with a voice so clean andpure, "Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all is secure." One look at my watch, and I knew he was right, Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night!

Origins: This piece, which sees wide circulation everyChristmastime, is generally credited to "a Marine stationed inOkinawa, Japan" (or, since 11 September 2001, "a Marine stationed inAfghanistan"). More specifically, the poem is often attributed to anAir Force Lieutenant Colonel named Bruce Lovely, who purportedlypenned it on Christmas Eve 1993 while stationed in Korea (and saw itprinted under his name in the Ft. Leavenworth Lamp a few years later):

I arrived in Korea in Jul 93 and was extremely impressed with thecommitment of the soldiers I worked with and those that were preparedto give their lives to maintain the freedom of South Korea. To honorthem, I wrote the poem and went around on Christmas Eve and put itunder the doors of US soldiers assigned to Yongsan. This attribution does a great disservice to the poem's true author,James M. Schmidt, who was a Lance Corporal stationed in Washington,D.C., when he wrote the poem back in 1986. As Corporal Schmidt told usin December 2002:

The true story is that while a Lance Corporal serving as BattalionCounter Sniper at the Marine Barracks 8th & I, Washington, DC, underCommandant P.X. Kelly and Battalion Commander D.J. Myers [in 1986], Iwrote this poem to hang on the door of the Gym in the BEQ. WhenColonel Myers came upon it, he read it and immediately had copies sentto each department at the Barracks and promptly dismissed the entireBattalion early for Christmas leave. The poem was placed that day inthe Marine Corps Gazette, distributed worldwide and later submitted toLeatherneck Magazine.

Schmidt's original version, entitled "Merry Christmas, My Friend," waspublished in Leatherneck (Magazine of the Marines) in December 1991, afull two years before it was supposedly "written" by someone else onChristmas Eve 1993 (and had appeared in the Barracks publication Passin Review four years before it was printed in Leatherneck).

As Leatherneck wrote of the poem's author in 2003:
"Merry Christmas, My Friend" has been a holiday favorite among"leatherneckphiles" for nearly the time it takes to complete a MarineCorps career. Few, however, know who wrote it and when. FormerCorporal James M. Schmidt, stationed at Marine Barracks, Washington,D.C., pounded it out 17 years ago on a typewriter while awaiting thecommanding officer's Christmas holiday decorations inspection . . .while other leathernecks strung lights for the Barracks' annualChristmas decoration contest, Schmidt contributed his poem to his section.

Over the years the text of "Merry Christmas, My Friend" has beenaltered to change Marine-specific wording into Army references(including the title: U.S. Marines do not refer to themselves as"soldiers") and to incorporate line-ending rhyme changes necessitatedby those alterations.

We reproduce below Corporal Schmidt's version as printed inLeatherneck back in 1991: Merry Christmas, My Friend

After leaving the Corps, Corporal Schmidt earned a law degree and nowserves as an entertainment attorney in Los Angeles and is director ofoperations for a security consulting firm.

For Christmas and the kids

2005-11-12T16:24:00.000-05:00

I know this is early but the kids and I had fun with it! Go to this site on Christmas Eve and they can watch Santa.http://www.northpole.com/NoradSanta.asp You can also go to this site now and watch santa and his eleve pre pare for Chistmas. Heres the link to the wecam page: http://www.santaclauslive.com/main.php?link=santa_claus_live&kieli=eng&pid=2 It is really neat! Hope everyone has a chance to check it out! Talk to you all later

Michelle

P.s. Only a couple more weeks. I just wish he could be home like the rest for Christmas.

A Thankful Wish

2005-11-12T16:17:00.000-05:00

This was written by a little girl and sent to her sister in one of my Military groups.

I AM THANKFUL….

For the wife who says it is spaghetti night because she is home with me and not out with someone else.

For the husband who is on the sofa being a couch potato because he is home with me and not out at the bars.

For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes because it means she is home and not on the streets.

For the taxes I pay because it means I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a gathering because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug because I have enough to eat.

For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking and I have been blessed with transportation.

For the lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been capable of working hard.

For computers and email because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.

For all the complaining I hear about government because it means we have freedom of speech.

And finally, for the brave men and women who go out and put their lives on the line everyday to make sure I can have all of these things.When giving thanks this year at your family table, don't forget to say a thankful prayer for, and to, all of our brave military members who can not be home with their families.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

My Son the Solider From Aunt Elvie

2005-11-09T17:29:00.000-05:00

My Son The Soldier
by FRANCES C RODRIGUEZ

Thursday, March 20, 2003

I would like everyone to know that I do not have an son or daughter in the war but as a mother I know how painful it is to have your child far away and to have to worry about that child ,so I write this poem for all mothers to their child..

My Dearest Son. As you go out into an unknown world where there is hate and destruction I want you to know that my thoughts and love are always with you. and when you go into battle keep your head up and your faith in your heart to know that God will always be with you, and when you see your brother and sister go down, place your hand on his chest and let him know that he or she is not alone for the angels are there to take than to a place that there is no longer war but only peace... My son go and march to your battle and fight for what is right and when you cry or have the fear, I will whisper the words I love you. For soldier of war is what you have become a soldier who will not let his country down...

Sweet friends

2005-11-07T12:52:00.000-05:00

I got this from a friend make sur you pass it along.

Sweet words are easy to say, Sweet things are easy 2 buy, but sweet people are difficult to find. Life ends when U stop dreaming, hope ends when U stop believing, love ends when U stop caring, friendship ends when U stop sharing. hardship says bye bye to u when ur faith never fade up.so expands knowledge to question hardship through trying ur best without failure .So share this with whom ever U consider a friend. To love without condition...to talk without intention. to give without reason ..and to care without expectation..........is the heart of a true friend.forward this to all the people whom u consider as ur true friend. dont forget to send it back to ME i

Re Deployment Meeting

2005-11-07T12:49:00.000-05:00

Hey all,

From his meeting all I got was that he will be home sometime when he marks his year mark date which is January 7th. They will give me a 96 hour time frame for the time he gets into Kuwait. Then they will give me a 24 hour time frame saying what time to be at eighter Cockan Field or at Newman Gym depending on the weather and the time. Basically I will not know the date of Bill's home coming until 24 hour in advance. DAMN ARMY THING! To Hush Hush. But I sat there for 3 hours to hear that Bullshit and how to deal with the reunion when he comes home which was no help at all cause you put a bunch of women in a room talking about thier husbands and what do you get? A room that is so loud it sound like a chicken coop. LOL I'll update you later when I get some more infomation on him. I still have to talk to him and see what he knows there is alot more he knows that what these butts are telling me.

Michelle

To my son

2005-11-06T19:12:00.000-05:00

My son,

There is one thing I want you to know,
That, what ever you do, where ever you go,
all though you may flee,
to the end of the earth,
take this message with you,
for what it is worth,
Your mother is praying for you.
All though it may mean very little to you,
and you trust your resources to carry you threw,
but so often you find your resource fail,
and the contrary world takes the wind from you sails,
Remember, I am praying for you.

No dout there will be time your feelings will lack the sun shining on you ,
the wind at you back, the sailing is smooth,
and you feel so secure, this situation you still may be sure,
Your mother is praying for you.

But when there is hard ship, struggle, strife
You question the sense and the meaning of life;
when the earths vain altimate are sudenly void,
pleasures are takeless,with one you enjoyed.,
Remember, I am praying for you.

My son, be assured that your never alone;
you may reach out to god,
he is there on his throne;
a penictent spirit is all he wants,
who's bond less mercy how quick his respond!
I will be prating for you.

You know all the things you have been taught from your youth;
the bible still stands, as pillar true;
the father still waits, with his arms open wide-
the sun is so welcome,
a feast is inside!
Yes, I have been praying for you.

Love Always,
Mom
By: Grace Milner September 2005

To my big brother from his baby sister

2005-11-06T17:27:00.000-05:00

Billy it wrote this for you I hope you get to see it and like it.

I watch the sunset every evening knowing your watching it raise at the same time I lie awake sleepless at night looking up at the stars hoping you look at the same one 12 hours later. This allows me to feel a little closer to you. Days go by as you continue to fight and we continue to pray. Though the day is coming closer for your return, it still feels like an eternity. The sun is beginning to set once again for us and raise on that far away land for you. As it warms your face remember it was warming ours a few hours before. And tonight when the stars are out reach up and touch the brightest one you see.That will be the one we are holding for you in our hearts.

With all my love,
Your sister Amber

Sorry Hun

2005-11-06T09:37:00.000-05:00

Hey Babe I got your IM this morning of course I was giving Lil Bill a bath. But I have finally put music on this. The kids and I sat down late last night and went threw all the songs we could find that you like. Annie wanted to put in some pink but we couldn't find the one song you liked so much. Anyway the playlist gose like this. Cold and Empty, Come home soon, American Solider, Lonley Road of faith, Arlington, Whiskey Lullibye, Pictures, and Fell like making love. We love you and miss you so much!

Pookie

An Army Family Journey

2005-11-05T18:48:00.000-05:00

I am creating this for my husband who is current in Iraq. He is really getting upset because he has missed so much over here at home. He has missed the birth of our first son, the graduations of his two younger sisters, His first nephews basketball game, our oldest daughter' first tea know Do test for her yellow belt and so much more. I honestly don't know if he will be home for his sons first word but I hope the little one will hold off till then.

Babe I love you to death and the kids really miss you a lot! The miss the motorcycle rides, you playing with them and just being around for them to talk to you. So this is for you to check daily or when you can. You say you are missing so much but I hope this fills you up with everything is okay over here. We are all waiting for you to come home. We will all be there when you step out on the parade field to welcome you home. What ever you have to do we are all behind you 100%.