A VERY DIFFERENT KIND OF SUMMER

Self | June 12, 2002 | ohioWfan

[anniegetyourgun]

Still separated at birth!

BTW, do you know if they are going to televise the OSU commencement address? My lovely niece (graduating as a medical doctor) will be filing through those lines. I wish I could have been with her today - the only other in my family to graduate from my alma mater. I'm very proud of her.

[ohioWfan]

I haven't heard if they're televising it. I have heard that there have been protests, but that would be typical of a college campus.......arguably the most liberal havens left in the country........but I haven't heard much else.

I'll be listening today, and let you know if I hear anything.

btw, CONGRATS on the graduation!

[Texas Princess]

What a wonderful Story about your son. It brought tears to my eyes and a sense of pride in my heart... I am proud of your son and all the people who join up and protect us. I joined the Army when I was 19 and loved being there the short time I was in (Was retired with 60% Service Connected Disability due to SLE). I support our Guy's and Gal's in the Military (past and present).

I hope you don't mind me sharing something about my Nephew... He has grown up to be a fine young man like your son.
My nephew graduated from Basic Training at Lackland AFB Last October. He is now in North Dakota and I just found out from my little sister that he will be leaving in September for 4 months. He will be sent to a place in the Indian Ocean. It scares me, but I know God is watching over him and all the other Guys and Gals. : )

He signed up before Sept 11th, and was supposed to leave before Sept 11th. But he became sick with a Chest Infection and the Recruiter told him to wait till he is better. Then Sept 11th happened and They gave my nephew a choice to change his mind about joining or not. He said, Now more than ever I want to join. He works with Bombs. Loading onto Planes, Dismantling, and Checking. It scares me and my family, but we have Faith in God. He will be going to College while serving and wants to be a Chaplin.

Here is a picture of My Nephew and I at his graduation at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas:



Thank You so much for your story. Your son sounds like a Wonderful Young Man and I will be praying for him and all the other's who are in the Military. : )

[dutchess]

What a beautiful tribute to your wonderful son. You must be one proud mama. May God be with him these upcoming months.

[ohioWfan]

OH, thank you for sharing that story about your nephew! It is frightening to know that he will be going to such a dangerous place, but you can have confidence that he will be in God's hands, and will be protected.

Thank you for your kind words about my son. There are so many people who write off the whole generation as being self-centered and worthless, but there are plenty of young men and women just like him, and your nephew, who are strong and patriotic, and ready to serve this great nation!

[ohioWfan]

Thank you, dutchess! I am!

[William Wallace]

RC, thank you my FRiend for pinging me or I would surely have missed this beautiful tribute.

Eric has always been a warrior. . . He ran an entire Cross Country race on a stress fracture in his foot because he refused to quit ‘pressing on toward the goal.’

He is quiet, yet bold; so bold in his faith that he told his classmates Sunday in his Valedictory speech that the only way they could have a truly successful future was through faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ. His greatest desire in life is to serve that Savior and live a Christ-like life, and to serve others.

oWf thank you for writing this moving tribute, not only to your wonderful son, but to all the brave young men and women serving our country in these challenging times. Your son's name and story of his running the race with a stress fracture reminded me of another Eric who was a fine runner and a great warrior for Christ.

Eric Liddell was favored to win a gold medal in 100 meters in the 1924 Olympic games. When he arrived in Paris, he was stunned to learn that the preliminaries for his best events -- the 100 meters and the 4x100 and 4x400 relays -- were scheduled for Sunday. Eric considered the Lord's Day sacred and refused to take part in those events. He turned his attention to the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes, events he had not trained for and was not expected to win. Surprisingly, he managed to win a bronze medal in the 200-meters. He then ran the race of his life. Arms thrashing, head tilted upward to the sky, "The Flying Scotsman" won the gold metal in the 400 meters, setting a world record of 47.6 seconds. Most important, he put his commitment to his faith ahead of his best chance to win earthly fame and glory.

Running the Race -- Eric Liddell 1902-1945

Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27

[William Wallace]

BTW, I notice those who would question your commitment to freedom are no where to be found

That very fact has not escaped me, annie. Where are those who would call me a Nazi, communist, or freedom hater? Where are those who question my patriotism now?

(A) Rooting out the booby-trapped caves of bin Laden's al Qaeda terrorist network in Afghanistan

(B) Digging through the rubble at Ground Zero to find more remains of the fallen heroes of September 11th

(C) Saying goodbye to their own sons and daughters heading overseas to fight for freedom

(D) Spending what's left of the welfare check on booze and cigarettes while thinking up yet another anti-Bush rant

Somehow I don't think you'll need to use a lifeline to answer this one. ;-)

[ohioWfan]

Thank you so much for that picture and info about Eric Liddell! He is a family hero of ours......especially Eric's older brother, Josh, who watched Chariots of Fire at least 300 times as a child, and last November ran the Chicago Marathon.

Not only is his perseverence exemplary, but his strong stance for Godliness above personal glory. In fact, I believe that Eric Liddell's example was one of the positive influences on both of our sons' lives.

btw, your screen name is also a hero of our sons, who are part Scot (on their father's side), and admire his courage and valor.

Thanks again!

[MistyCA]

Yes, when my son-in-law began training with the seals he had a ankle injury that put a halt to his hopes of completing that dream and goal. It was devastating for him at the time, but the problem was since corrected and he is now a fireman which he also loves. I wish your son safe passage in all of his endeavors. :)

[MistyCA]

That is a wonderful picture of you and your nephew. Give him my regards and tell him we are all proud of him as well! :)

[ohioWfan]

Oh, that's a tough one, WW, but I think I have my final answer! :o)

[ohioWfan]

Hey, annie, would you mind checking your pings yesterday to see if you got one from me for this thread?

You should have been on my ping list, but I noticed you said you only got a ping from Ragtime Cowgirl.

I want to make sure I didn't goof up and miss your name somehow!
It would be the first mistake I have ever made in my entire life........ ;o)

[HiJinx]

there are plenty of young men and women just like him...

I don't believe truer words have ever been spoken!
'Mass media' doesn't do anything to tell us about these kids, but we are getting the word out in other ways. And people who live outside the beltway know it.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

You are very welcome, my friend.

"The Flying Scotsman" won the gold metal in the 400 meters, setting a world record of 47.6 seconds. Most important, he put his commitment to his faith ahead of his best chance to win earthly fame and glory.

Philippians 4:8. This thread has the potential to change the world. (^:

[JohnHuang2]

ohioWfan- Gotta run -- but I'm bookmarking this one for later reading =^)

Johnny Gage, thanks for the ping.

[William Wallace]

Not only is his perseverence exemplary, but his strong stance for Godliness above personal glory. In fact, I believe that Eric Liddell's example was one of the positive influences on both of our sons' lives.

Amen. Thanks oWf. Your boys' character and devotion shine through your beautiful tribute and comments on this thread. IMHO you did a great job raising two such outstanding young men.

FReegards,
WW

[William Wallace]

Philippians 4:8. This thread has the potential to change the world. (^:

That's the spirit RC! :-)

BTW Philippians 4:8 is one of my favorite verses.

[ohioWfan]

I would very much appreciate your thoughts on this, John. I value your opinion as a writer highly!

[rintense]

Wow, oWf... I have tears in my eyes. What a beautifully written testimonial of the goodness and hope for all young people. You and your husband should be very proud, and both of you should be commended and praised for raising such a wonderfully faithful son. God bless you, and God bless you, Eric. Godspeed in your service to our country. May God protect you as you protect us.