Posted on 05/26/2006 7:05:55 PM PDT by redrock
Her little face was scrunched up...as only a six year old can be when attempting to be a 'big girl' and not cry.
Her normal reaction to the news that her daddy was finally home would be to run and jump into his arms and hug his neck with all the power her little arms could muster.
She would smell the familiar 'Daddy Smell'....and bury her little tiny face into her daddy's neck...happy to be just holding her daddy once again.
But this time...it was different.
This time there would be no hugs...
This time there would be no joy at the sight of her daddy...
..this time her daddy was arriving home, carried by other men, in a coffin....in a box .
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In a few short days it will be Memorial Day.
A day set aside, with hope, for us to remember, and maybe say a small "Thank You", to those who have given their time and,for some,their lives in defense of our Nation and our Freedom's.
And yet...maybe this Memorial Day we need to add one more thing to the list.
Especially THIS Memorial Day.
We need to remember all those who lost their fathers.....
We need to remember all those who lost their sons.....
We need to remember all those who lost their husbands......
We need to remember all those who lost their brothers.....
In reality there is nothing we can really do...to make up for the lost hugs....for the lost talks with 'Big Brother'.....for the lost times with our sons.....for the lost futures.
But we can, and indeed we should, express our gratitude....our thanks.
Maybe...this Memorial Day...we can begin a new tradition.
Maybe we can, I know we should, begin to Thank those 'Left Behind'.
Maybe we can also make it a day to remember the sacrifices that they have made.
And remember Matt Maupin and his family.
bearclover is mad at you.....
Thanks for the thread redrock
American Revolution ---- 4,435 War of 1812 ---- 2,260 Mexican War ---- 13,283 Civil War ---- 558,052 Spanish American War ---- 2,446 World War I ---- 116,708 World War II ---- 407,316 Korean Conflict ---- 33,651 Vietnam War ---- 58,168 Gulf War ---- 293 Lebanon ---- 254 Grenada ---- 18 Panama ---- 40 Somalia ---- 29 USS Cole ---- 17 Operation Enduring Freedom ---- 235 (ongoing) Operation Iraqi Freedom ---- 2,465 (ongoing)You are in our hearts forever!!!
I am so glad you posted A Soldier's Prayer, as it came to mind when I saw this tribute thread and I well remember you posted it last year on Veteran's Day.
I have carried it with me everywhere since.
I will always remember all of our U.S. troops for their dedication, their bravery, and for the ultimate sacrifice that so many have made.
U.S. Armed Forces: our best, past, present and future.
 LET'S HEAR IT FOR OUR BRAVE TROOPS
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Well done.
We must never forget.
And we must never, ever take our liberty for granted. It is hard-earned on the lives of many brave and noble Americans.
BTTT
BTTT
BTTT
"It Is The Soldier" (Lyrics)
It is ..."The Soldier"...in the mirror,
Who'll say..."goodbye"...to me, today.
It is ..."The Soldier"...not the man, or boy,
Or, the little GI Joe...he used to play.
It is ..."The Soldier"...who'll take his first steps,
That I...have come to see.
It's for..."The Soldier"...Lord, I'm asking...
Make him...ALL...he needs to be.
For, it is..."The Soldier"...of this GREAT NATION,
That must face...the unknown.
It is ..."The Soldier"
Who...may not be...coming home.
But, it is..."The Soldier"...who gives us the Freedom
To stand...beneath....this Flag.
It is..."The Soldier"...who carries Honor,
And, makes this nation...Proud!
It is..."The Soldier"...that stands before me now,
Not...the boy...he used to be.
Take him...in Your Hands,
Use him...for Your Plans...
Make him...ALL...that he...can be!
But, please...don't take..."This Soldier"
Anywhere...if...You're not there.
Lord, make sure....he knows...everywhere he goes,
He is loved...and, we're...So PROUD!
And, please...don't take..."This Soldier"
Into the battle...of defeat.
If...he...has to fall...be it by Your Hands
Be it...ONLY...to his knees.
'Cause, God ...it is..."The Soldier"
That keeps...this Nation...FREE.
Yes, I know...it is..."The Soldiers"
Who...PROTECT...our Liberty!
It is..."The Soldiers"...that stretch...across this land,
Far...as the eye...can see.
It is..."The Soldier"...of the past,
It is..."The Soldier"...yet...to be.
So, please...don't take..."This Soldier"
Lord...he's EVERYTHING...to me,
But, if...he has to fall...bring "This Soldier"...Home
To ...the LAND...OF...THE...FREE!
'Cause, God...it is..."The Soldier"
That keeps...this Nation...FREE.
Yes, I know...it is..."The Soldier"
That...PROTECTS..."MY"...Liberty!
So, please...don't...take..."This Soldier"
Into...pain & agony,
If...You...need another "Soldier"...Lord,
Please...don't...take my son...
Take...ME !
( C - Sept. 2004 - Words & Music - Susan D. Wiseman )
Susan D. Wiseman
"Christ - Centered Pieces"
P.O. Box 1591
Fayetteville, Ga. 30214-1591
__________________
Keeping this, thank you.
In and out of the military. We are all very proud of you all.
Thanks for a beautiful thread! May God bless our troops!
Amen, Patriot Allegra.
Awesome, devolve, just awesome...
God bless those who are sacrificing so much for our freedoms. Our marvelous children in the military give up a great deal so that the RATS and poisonous Left can slander them and our great country. God bless our wonderful president as he doggedly pursues the course he sees as necessary to protect and promote our wonderful Nation. And those who assist and back him in his endeavors to be the kind of Commander-in-Chief that Washington was, and Lincoln we are very fortunate to have this man as our leader rather than the nitwits put up by the Party of Treason.
Have to do it soon tho...I'm a gettin' old.
redrock
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