To Any Service Member

During the Persian Gulf War, I was stationed aboard the naval amphibious ship USS Nassau. As a senior Marine intelligence analyst, my workdays were routinely twelve to sixteen hours long. Like all the veterans, we looked forward to receiving mail from home.
Unlike the Vietnam War, the Gulf War found support among most Americans. As a result, we soldiers received an enormous amount of 'To any service member' mail from the States. I never took any of those letters, since I wrote to my wife and two children on a daily basis, as well as, occasionally writing notes to my daughter's classroom, and I didn't feel I had time to write to anyone else.

After five or six months of hearing the mail orderly announcing the availability of 'To any service member” mail, I decided to take a few of the letters. I planned, as time permitted, to drop them a line telling them 'thanks' for their support.
I picked up three letters, and placed them in my cargo pocket and proceeded back to work. Over the next week or so, I started responding to the letters. When it came time to answer the third letter, I noticed it had no return address, but a Colorado postmark, which made me think of home. I had missed spending Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's with my family, and I was really lonesome for them.

I opened the card and started to read the letter enclosed. About the third or fourth sentence down, it read, “My daddy is a Marine over there. If you see him, tell him hi and I love and miss him.' This statement really touched me and made me miss my family even more. I looked down to the signature and sat in stunned silence as tears filled my eyes.
My own daughter, Chris, had signed the letter.

--Nick Hill

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Thanks to BlueStar Families for sharing this beautiful post!

Wednesday Hero 11/12/2008

Spc. Kenneth W. Haines
25 years old from Fulton, New York
2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division
December 3, 2006


Spc. Kenneth Haines joined the United States Army in September 2000 as a fire support specialist and had been assigned to his unit for just over three years. He deployed to Iraq in October of 2006.

During his time in service, he received several military awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and National Defense Service Medal.

Spc. Haines was killed by an IED that was detonated near his vehicle while on patrol in Abu Hishma, Iraq.

All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

We Honor You

No one desires peace as much as those who have had to engage in war. As we honor those who serve our nation in the armed forces, and mourn the passing of those who have died in its service, we also pray for the coming of the day when armed conflicts will give way to a world in which we are all able to live together in peace.
A crisply folded flag stands for Valor and for Honor.
Its stripes are not decorations, they represent courage under fire.
Its stripes mark the passing of a son, of a daughter.
They symbolize the sacrifice of a mother and a father.

Today, November 11, 2008 is Veterans Day. It is a day to honor our military. It is a day of reflection; remembering those who have fought for this nation for generations. It is a day to thank all who serve in our armed services. Today is a holiday for many, but please keep in mind it is just another day for those fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. While most of us are people of simple means, it is important for each of us to proudly hang our Flag, to thank a soldier we meet in passing, and pray to Almighty God that He will continue to bless this nation we call home!

The following companies are showing their respect for our military with promotional giveaways; most deserved!

Applebee's is thanking our troops with a free meal at 164 of their locations.

Lowe's Companies, Inc. will offer all active, reserve, honorably discharged, retired military personnel and their immediate family members a 10 percent discount on in-store U.S. purchases made during the Veterans Day holiday. The discount is available Nov. 6 - Nov. 11. The discount is available on in-stock and special order purchases up to $5,000. To qualify, individuals must present a valid military ID or other proof of service. Excluded from the discount are sales via Lowes.com, previous sales, and purchases of services or gift cards.

The Home Depot(R) is offering all active duty personnel, reservists, retired military, veterans and their families a 10 percent discount off their purchases in honor of Veteran's Day. The offer is valid on purchases of up to $2,000 for a maximum of $200 between November 6 and November 12, 2008, at The Home Depot stores, The Home Depot Design Center locations, Yardbirds and EXPO Design Center(R) locations.

Active-duty, retired, guard or reserve military personnel and their families who visit Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area or museums on Veterans Day (November 11) will receive complimentary two-day admission tickets to the restored colonial capital of Virginia.

All U.S. veterans and active members of the U.S. Armed Forces can camp for free in parts of the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia on Tuesday.

On Veteran's Day, Crimson Cup Coffeehouse in Columbus, Ohio will offer veteran and active military personnel a free drink of their choice. The special will run all day and apply to all drinks on the menu.


Volle'sBridal & Boutique on Rand Road joins bridal shops in 18 other states in a national effort launched by Brides Across America, and will give away more than 100 designer gowns to military brides-to-be Tuesday.

Golden Corral: The 2008 Military Appreciation Monday dinner will be held on Monday, November 17, 2008 from 5 pm to 9 pm in all Golden Corral Restaurants. The free "thank you" dinner is available to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to participate in Golden Corral's Military Appreciation Monday dinner.

CELEBRATE!

Today, the 10th of November is my 100th POST! Woo-Hoo!
I remember opening Blogger back in February, and decided to jot a couple of my thoughts and feelings regarding my youngest son beginning his USAF adventure. Having been through this with my oldest son, nine years earlier, I was somewhat prepared for the huge transformation which was about to occur. My feelings were the same...a vegetable soup of emotions; pride, concern, reflection, hope and faith. Being new to the blogging world, I let life take over and kind of pushed the blog aside. Not anymore! I find our blogosphere is filled with thoughtful, creative and brilliant people...all willing to put their thoughts and feelings right out there! It has been awesome *meeting* so many of you. I look forward to reading your posts and I enjoy reading your comments when I post!
So...like so many others who *celebrate* a blogging milestone, I would like to have a little hullabaloo of my own. It won't be a big deal; I'm a simple, non-flashy mom-type. This is what I would like to do.... I have five "Psalm91" bandanas which I would like to mail to members of the finest military in all the world. Send me your requests. Of course it is understood, there is no *top* Airman, Soldier, Sailor or Marine...they all hold equal importance and deserve equal honor. So, let's simply say the first five requests, will each receive a bandana!

Happy 233rd Birthday USMC ! ! !

MARINES' HYMN
From the halls of Montezuma,
to the shores of Tripoli,
We fight our country's battles in the air,
on land and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom,
and to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.

Our Flag's unfurled to every breeze
from dawn to setting sun.
We have fought in every clime and place,
where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far off northern lands
and in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job,
the United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps,
which we are proud to serve.
In many a strife we've fought for life
and never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy ever look
on heaven's scenes,
they will find the streets are guarded by
United States Marines.


The Marines Prayer

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails,
make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will.
Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose in deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones and Thee without shame or fear.
Protect my family.
Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm.
Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance.
Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me.
Make me considerate of those committed to my leadership.
Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.
If I am inclined to doubt; steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again.
Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer.
Amen.

Heart Whispers

Donor Sabbath was celebrated this morning during our Sunday Service. This day touches me deeply. My dad suffered from IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis) and was told that he had possibly 18 months to live. Dad was rarely ill…I’m talking I don’t remember him as much as having a cold! When he became ill with IPF, and to know the prognosis was so bleak, was surreal. We learned his only chance for survival was a lung transplant. Health-wise he was a great candidate, however he was 64 years old and the cutoff age was 65. On February 5, 2000 my dad received a new lung! He was going to turn 65 on the 25th of June, so this was truly answered prayer! Dad survived for five years with his new lung, despite struggling constantly with rejection. The donor was an angel to our family. I do encourage everyone to sign up to be a transplant/tissue donor. So many lives can be saved by your gift.

Dad, there are no words, simply a white rose.
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Yesterday, my daughter attended the funeral of a 6-week old baby girl. This sweet baby did not wake up from her nap; it is believed to be SIDS. My heart hurts for what these young parents must be going through. May Almighty God comfort this family.

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As we begin Veterans Awareness Week, please keep all of our brave Airman, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in your thoughts. We must not forget the servicemen and women, past and present who have served their country proudly. To my sons, I am deeply proud of you both! To my Uncle John who lost his life on a destroyer in the Pacific during World War II, I wish I had met you to give you a hug! To my Uncle Pat, who enlisted in the U.S. Army, thank you for your service! To my hubster who served 6 years in the U.S.Navy, heart-felt thanks. To my brother-in-law Phil , a Vietnam Vet receiving several Purple Hearts, your sacrifice will always be appreciated. To my childhood babysitter, Davis who lost his life in Vietnam at the age of 19, my thanks. To all Gold Star Moms, may you know peace.

This day is filled with heart whispers, all of which are worthy of silent moments in prayer.
May Almighty God Bless us all!

Peaceful Puppy

A puppy sleeps under a US soldier’s hat and rifles in Baquba, in Diyala province, northeast of Baghdad. November 6, 2008 (Reuters / Goran Tomasevic)

Still They Ride, The Strong Will Survive

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis

Please capture these images in your heart and hold them close throughout the day.
Thank You Veterans!


(pause the Playlist on the right)