9-11 & Troop Support Vigil after action report & "Heart of a Hawk" Gold Star Mom Speech 9/10/06

Deborah Tainsh | 9/10/2006 | Deborah Tainsh

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

Patriot Heroes

PICTURED: The patriotic Tanish family with Vet father and now-deceased Vet son.




(TEXT OF SPEECH)

Just as December 7, 1941 became a day in infamy for our nation’s families, so did September 11, 2001 become another. The difference is that our new enemy uses once unimaginable and unconscionable terrorism against innocents in their horrific attempts to suppress and destroy life and freedoms that those of us today have known all our lives until…

Until that moment we experienced with our own eyes the unbelievable destruction of New York’s Twin Towers where lives of thousands of innocents were taken from us, leaving a reverberation of grief and pain resounding in the souls of family members and friends in the one nation on earth we believed would never be so vulnerable…but we here today along with our children and grandchildren found that no generation is immune to being tried and tested. And the great question now is…

Will we remember always the impact of 9/11 and the change it has brought…did we ever even think we would be watching color coded terror alerts moving across the bottom of our television screens, standing with bare feet in airports, or having keener observations of our surroundings due to fear? Will this nation remember daily why our United States Armed Forces are stretched across the globe?

George Orwell, journalist and novelist wrote: “We sleep safe in our beds at night because men stand on our behalf ready to do violence against enemies who would destroy us.”

Our only barrier between the death of our civilization and its continuance in the love of life and freedom are the brave and gallant of this nation who volunteer to serve on our behalf against all enemies who threaten our pursuit of life and happiness.

I have stood at Ground Zero…my fingers entwined in chain link fence as I stared at the gapping hole that is now hallowed ground. I took photos of this and sent them to our son in Iraq and his fiance’ in Afghanistan. “This is why you are where you are, doing what you are doing,” I wrote.

NO, I will never forget the tv scene of jets colliding into buildings and fuel causing blasts and fire against innocents, against our country, I will not forget my friend’s Navy son whose body was never recovered from the Pentagon.

I stand here today in Riverside humbled and thankful to those of you, our veterans, our Nation’s Heroes, who have served this nation with honor and pride to preserve our freedoms and now to fight terrorism. We owe a debt to you and your comrades that can never be, will never be repaid.

I also want to thank the families here today and across this nation who have stood as the home front heroes in support of their loved ones, the world’s most valiant, compassionate, and courageous.

As parents of Sgt. Patrick Tainsh, a proud United States Army 2nd Armored Cavalry Scout, Bronze and Silver Star recipient killed in action February 11, 2004, in Baghdad, I and my husband, United States Marine Corps Sgt Maj (Ret) David Tainsh, Vietnam and First Gulf War veteran, are so honored to have been asked to be here with you today. Southern California was our home for eighteen years.

Since Patrick’s reassignment to a higher duty station, my husband and I have made it our mission to speak with honor in support of our nation’s military and their families; and through the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors of military personnel headquartered in Washington, D.C., volunteer as peer mentors to other grieving military families across the nation.

Along our journey over the past two years and six months, we have met the most courageous and the most pained from coast to coast. We have spoken, cried, laughed, and remembered together those we love who have transferred beyond this realm, have shared the memories and thoughts of veterans who have served before and currently, and seen the bravery of the wounded.

During a visit to Washington, D.C. over Memorial Weekend I had the privilege of visiting a 25 year old Iraq veteran, a double amputee, at the Fisher House at Walter Reed Army Hospital.

Never have I experienced such courage in the face of youth as I sat in the presence of this young man, his wife and one month old baby boy who he, while sitting in a wheel chair, was able to hold at the moment of birth. A young man who took off his prosthetics in front of me with no apology or embarrassment, spoke of his injuries with no resentment, told me the first thing that came to his mind after being hit with the IED (improvised explosive device) was the face of his wife, and his only regret is that he can’t rejoin his comrades.

I have recently spoken with the mother of a fallen soldier who told me she came to the United States from Mexico in 1969 when she was 15. She married a soldier and had six children, 3 of them boys. All three have or are still serving this country. Her oldest in the First Gulf War, her baby boy currently in Iraq, and her middle boy killed in action in Iraq two years ago. “I have no resentment with his death,” she said, recalling to me when she was a child how people in Mexico were jailed or shot for protesting when the President of Mexico spent money for grand Olympics, but did not provide for the people. “I am grateful,” she said “to the United States of America for giving me a life I could never otherwise have had. And my gift in return, is my son’s life.” And she is thankful to all who have provided such freedoms for America.

I’d like to read a portion of a letter left by our son, Patrick whose banner hangs here in the park today. The letter in its entirety can be found in the epilogue of my book: Heart of a Hawk: One family’s sacrifice and journey toward healing.

“I came here to help people who couldn’t help the situation they were subject to. Maybe someday they will be able to enjoy freedom as we do. As for me it was an honor to be able to experience that freedom. It was an honor to fight and die with an American flag on my shoulder. Honor, that’s a big word and some people don’t know what it means. It’s not something that happens right away, it’s something that builds up inside your soul. Just remember me for who I used to be and for who I am known as now. Someone who loved his job as a United States Army Cavalry Scout. Until we meet again, my heart, soul, and love are with you. Love your son, Patrick.

Again, I want to thank each and every one of you here today who have made the sacrifices across this globe and here at home to give us the right to gather today and celebrate the courageous lives you have lead and will continue to lead. I want to thank Riverside’s Mary Badalamente and Mom’s of the Military, and the veteran’s organizations that have made today possible. Thank you for your commitment to honor those of 9/11 and our United States Armed Forces.

May God bless each of you and may God bless America.

(END OF SPEECH)


AFTER ACTION REPORT:

I met this noble Gold Star Mom and her Vet husband on 9/10 at this troop support and 9/11 commemorative event in Riverside, CA. From her peaceful and positive demeanor until the emcee announced who she was and her sacrifice, I had NO idea that she'd given the ultimate Mom's sacrifice for our Country. There was no self-pity. There was no whining. There was an attitude of "press on, persevere, pray, help others do the same." (tears here as I type) What a Lady! I had the pleasure of thanking her Vet husband (and many other Vets) for his Service.

You never know who you'll touch, how you'll encourage someone when you take a stand. A gentleman living near the park, a VET who recently lost his VET SON in Iraq, was unaware of the scheduled troop support vigil. I'll leave out identifying details but he was depressed and had alcohol on his breath, life was not making sense. A Mom who spoke of her daughter being in Iraq during the day and I had the opportunity to pray with this patriot and offer him some encouragement. I offered him a ride home--The Spirit Of Allegiance car would be his personal limo that evening. He agreed. I asked if he was a member of the American Legion and he said no, so I told him I'd sponsor his membership dues for a year so he could get involved with some others who know what he's going through. As we were leaving, he and I got the word that a sponsor had agreed to donate funding for a tribute banner in his son's honor. Truly a moving experience. Truly we never may know in this world just how much a simple smile, a simple hug, a prayer, one person with an American Flag on a freeway overpass or private home might mean to someone. GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS! (eyes misty again)

This is the only photo I have from the event, (my camera battery croaked but there were candles everywhere
on the concrete area during the vigil after dark, my own estimate is 150++)

The event was sponsored by Moms of Military and The American Legion (links below). Harvest Christian Fellowship (pastor Greg Laurie) provided a very appropriate worship band. There was a bagpiper playing Amazing Grace; twin bugles played Echo Taps, a version of 'Taps' with a distant echo sound and there was a military 21-gun salute. There were at least 12 sponsor/vendor booths and probably 400-600 there at the event, during the daytime ceremonies. The names of San Bernardino and Riverside County deceased heroes were slowly read in tribute and there were many hugs and many tears shed throughout the day. The Harley by the stage was custom painted with a military theme. I was privileged to have been invited to bring The Spirit Of Allegiance patriotic car in tribute as well. My thanks to Mary Badalamente of Moms of Military and Rees Lloyd of The American Legion for their pivotal roles in this event.

Moms of Military--M.O.M. has a very simple purpose. We support each other with hugs and prayers. We share our experiences and ideas, from shopping on line for "Military Moms" goodies, traveling to boot camp for graduation ceremonies, or making it through our loved ones deployments. Most importantly, we support our soldiers and sailors with our prayers, love and friendship as they go about the difficult task of protecting this great land. M.O.M. includes mothers, wives, aunts, sisters and grandmas too! We currently are over 250 M.O.M.'s strong and provide support to all Military Mom's! Although we began in Orange County, CA, we offer support across the U.S. We hope to reach out to every Military Mom and share the experiences that bind us with one heart for our loved ones.

American Legion national site--if you are a Vet or the spouse/son/daughter of a Vet, you can be a member of the Legion or the Sons of the Legion. If you and you family haven't supported the Country with military service, please send a tax-deductible contribution to the Legion, a worthy organization.

Riverside Press-Enterprise - Local newspaper story of event. Vigil marks 9/11 anniversary

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

ping

[butternut_squash_bisque]

Darn it, there goes my screen, getting all blurry again...

(((salute)))

[The Mayor]

BTTT!!
Wow, excellent report and a heart felt speech.
God Bless America.

[eeevil conservative]

HEY SWEETIE!

Thanks for pinging me!

forgive me for some selfish self promotion- but wanted to let you know about a few exciting things....

first of all- at the Minuteman Rally her in Atlanta- John Konop spoke, and WGKA was there.

Well- last Saturday- Ann Coulter came to town- and I got to meet her!! SHE ROCKS! and LOVES FREEPERS!

also- on Saturday- October 7th- John Konop starts a new radio show (saturday show) on WGKA, and I will be his co-host for the first show-- if all goes well- I will stay on as his permanent co-host.

I will also be helping to run his new website- I will be announcing this shortly- but you will LOVE the new site--

On top of all that- John asked me to be his co-host because he visited my new web site!


http://eeevilconservative.com/

again- forgive me for my selfish glee over these exciting things...and

THANK YOU!!

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO TO SERVE OUR GREAT NATION!!!!

LOVE TO YOU!!!

ec...

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

That's not 'selfish glee' in MY book--thanks for your *great enthusiasm* and *patriotic SERVICE*!

Congrats and HUGS!

[La Enchiladita]

Just lovely, Spirit. If only more people realized how we need to keep each other going in our patriotism, and how easy it is. Thanks for telling of your experience.

:)

[bitt]

proud of you. a leg up and a heart healed, hopefully.....

[El Gato]

And the media continues to report the ravings of the demented, and pathetic, Witch in the Ditch. How have these two families losses been any less qualifying to speak on the subject of the war, and the reasons for fighting it?

The answer of course is that they haven't, but these folks are saying things the MSM doesn't want heard. Most of all because they don't bash Bush.

[trooprally]

Thanks for the thread, Great presentation and first hand experiences. If every one of us could touch just one person as you have, these United States would be a much better place.

California, you show there is a glimmer of real people there. No more wishing California will break away from the main land from this 'right' coast FReeper.

Again Thanks.

[Mr] T