Thank you from Cee-gar man and family

We thank you for your warmth and prayers. I read the web site with all the wonderful people that have thought of us. We are truly blessed. Nick had surgery a week ago to remove shrapnel from the bottom of his surviving eye, that was narrowly missed.I read him all the comments on this site before he went to sleep, he went to sleep a very happy man with a smile on his face. You will often hear him say he feels like George Bailey from the movie, It's a Wonderful Life. Reading all of this reminds us of the part where you can hear all the towns prayers from the heavens in the very beginning of the movie.He is thankful for life and will travel down the path that God has chosen for him, without questioning it.I am truly a very lucky lady to have such a wonderful man as my husband and our son could not have a better man to be his father. In the first hours of uncertainty, I prayed that he would remain here on earth to finish his mission in life..to inspire and give strength to others. He has started that mission almost immediately back in Iraq when he was still laying on the gurney and yelled out a Ooh Rah. His mission has just begun.I am typing this thank you for him, his eyesight in his good eye is still a little blurred.He was very honored that you all have said such wonderful things about him. He tells me that the people like you are what drives him to proudly serve this wonderful country of ours, you make sacrafice worth it. Thank you all so very much, from the Cee-gar Man and family

Welcome home and prayers for a speedy recovery for Nick!

I prayed that he would remain here on earth to finish his mission in life..to inspire and give strength to others.

I'm so grateful for wonderful people like you and your husband. You both have given me strength and inspiration.

Please tell Nick because of men like him I've never been prouder to be an American. Thank you just doesn't seem like enough. My friends and I work to spread the good news from Iraq and keep those we know and people we meet focused on why Iraq's liberation is so important for our county's security. We will stay focused on support for the troops and the mission. Nick, all the brave fighting troops and their families at home are our George Baileys' (my favorite movie, btw), we wouldn't be who we are if they weren't the courageous, unselfish people they are.

My nephew will ship out to Iraq in November. He's in the Mojave Desert right now training to learn how to conduct check points with cars and sweep buildings. He's been accepted into driving school and hopes to be trained to drive a Bradley tank. His mom is worried but very proud as are we all.

May God's blessings be endless for your family.

Here's a recent picture that makes me smile, hope it gives you and Nick a smile too.

U.S. Marines from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force
pose atop their light armor vehicle
as they move out of their position
near the town of Falluja, April 30, 2004.

To: April

HOW WE DISCOVERED CEEGAR GUY

During the war, several hundred news-addicted Freepers kept up with fast-breaking events on daily threads called "Operation Iraqi Freedom--The Situation Room--Day #___".

Many threads ran to 5,000 or 6,000 posts a day. They were exciting, sad, informative and (during news lulls) hysterically funny. There were dozens of networks with "BagCams"---live feed from Baghdad---where, among other things, we could watch the correspondents on our computers when they didn't realize we were watching...very funny!

All the BagCams and network broadcasts were eventually trained on Firdos Square, the traffic circle with the statue in the middle. We became very familiar with that blue mosque, the reporters on top of the hotel, the dog who would bark every time a bomb landed. Bombs would also set off all the car alarms in the vicinity...it was funny.

As troops moved into Baghdad, we watched our computers excitedly for tanks rolling into BagCam range. Finally they did and "the Situation Room" erupted with cheers, tears and pride. There were some stupid humans-shield types in the square with a huge banner saying "Go Home U.S. Wankers". Some Iraqis had taken it away from them and changed it to "Go Home Human Shield Wankers!". They paraded around the square with that sign.

Right then someone posted the wonderful photo of Nick and his cigar. It looked just like he was laughing and blowing smoke at the Wanker human shields! (Many female freepers fell instantly in love with Nick...we envy you!). He became an instant icon in The Situation Room. He captured for us the joy of that moment when our wonderful troops completed that perilous journey and finally drove into "our traffic circle". Thank you, Nick.

For a good idea of what it was like, I'll provide a link to the Situation Room anniversary thread posted a few weeks ago. Much of the humor was probably one of those "you just had to be there" things, so some of it may not make sense.
ANNIVERSARY: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1101684/posts
Please keep in mind we didn't know Nick was wounded....or that he was happilly married...***blush***.

Here's a link to the day the tanks rolled into Firdos Square. I don't know if the pictures still show up...I doubt it...you'll probably see a little square with red X instead of pictures. Start around #1757.
TANKS IN THE TRAFFIC CIRCLE: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/888599/posts?q=1&&page=1751

I haven't re-read those threads, so I hope we didn't say anything to embarrass you (or us!). Please know how much Nick means to us and that he is in our prayers every day.

Timeout

We are not exactly computer savvy as of yet and are still trying to figure out the lingo here. If anyone can give us a quick lesson we would appreciate it.

Just ask and any of us will be glad to help. If you prefer, you can ask privately. For example, at the end of my post you would click "private reply". A form will come up for you to send me "FreepMail". It will show up in my private mail box and I will answer you when I check my mail. (I'll send one to you so you can see how it works....click "My Mail" or "You Have Mail" at the top of your screen.)

Getting accustomed to phraseology and techniques is just part of being a Freeper. Just ask how to do something, or what something means, and Freepers will always be glad to help you out.

Nick, April and family,

Thanks you for serving our country and Corps!

Welcome to FReeRepublic, and the world of FReeperdom!

I am a retired Marine Gunny, and this is the BEST, pro-America website in the whole world.

The reason it is so good, is because it is made up of the comments of ordinary Americans, just like you! Nothing fake or commercialized here. We love our country and support our military and it's heroes, like Nick.

Semper Fi, Devil Dog! Take some time to enjoy that beautiful family you have.

Nick, April and family,

Thanks you for serving our country and Corps!

Welcome to FReeRepublic, and the world of FReeperdom!

I am a retired Marine Gunny, and this is the BEST, pro-America website in the whole world.

Semper Fi, Devil Dog! Take some time to enjoy that beautiful family you have.

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