Posted on 06/01/2006 7:47:03 AM PDT by CSM
(The following story was written by Lori Kimble, a 31 year old teacher and Proud military wife. Mrs. Kimble, a California native, currently lives in Alabama..)
I was sitting alone in one of those loud, casual steak houses that you find all over the country. You know the type - a bucket of peanuts on every table, shells littering the floor, and a bunch of Perky college kids racing around with long neck beers and sizzling platters.
Taking a sip of my iced tea, I studied the crowd over the rim of my glass. My gaze lingered on a group enjoying their meal. They wore no uniform to identify their branch of service, but they were definitely "military:" clean shaven, cropped haircut, and that "squared away" look that comes with pride.
Smiling sadly, I glanced across my table to the empty seat where my husband usually sat. It had only been a few months since we sat in this very booth, talking about his upcoming deployment To the Middle East. That was when he made me promise to get a sitter for the kids, come back to this Restaurant once a month and treat myself to a nice steak. In turn he would treasure the thought Of me being here, thinking about him until he returned home.
I fingered the little flag pin I constantly wear and wondered where he was at this very moment. Was he safe and warm? Was his cold any better? Were my letters getting through to him? As I pondered these thoughts, high pitched femalevoices from the next booth broke into my thoughts.
"I don't know what Bush is thinking about. Invading Iraq. You'd think that man would learn from his old man's mistakes. Good lord. What an idiot! I can't believe he is even in office. You do know, He stole the election."
I cut into my steak and tried to ignore them, as they began an endless tirade running down our president. I thought about the last night I spent with my husband, as he prepared to deploy. He had just returned From getting his smallpox and anthrax shots. The image of him standing in our kitchen packing his Gas mask still gives me chills.
Once again the women's voices invaded my thoughts. "It is all about oil, you know. Our soldiers will go in and rape and steal all the oil they can in the name of 'freedom'. Hmph! I wonder how many innocent people They'll kill without giving it a thought? It's pure greed, you know."
My chest tightened as I stared at my wedding ring. I could still see how handsome my husband looked in his "mess dress" the day he slipped it on my finger. I wondered what he was wearing now. Probably his desert uniform, affectionately dubbed "coffee stains" with a heavy bulletproof vest over it.
"You know, we should just leave Iraq alone. I don't think they are hiding any weapons. In fact, I bet it's all a big act just to increase the president's popularity. That's all it is, padding the military Budget at the expense of our social security and education. And, you know what else? We're just asking for another 9-ll. I can't say when it happens again that we didn't deserve it."
Their words brought to mind the war protesters I had watched gathering outside our base. Did no one appreciate the sacrifice of brave men and women who leave their homes and family to ensure our freedom? Do they even know what "freedom" is?
I glanced at the table where the young men were sitting, and saw their courageous faces change. They had stopped eating and looked at each other dejectedly, listening to the women talking.
"Well, I, for one, think it's just deplorable to invade Iraq, and I am certainly sick of our tax Dollars going to train professional baby killers we call a military."
Professional baby killers? I thought about what a wonder-ful father my husband is, and of how long it would be Before he would see our children again.
That's it! Indignation rose up inside me. Normally reserved, pride in my husband gave me a brassy boldness I never realized I had. Tonight one voice will answer on behalf of our military, and let her pride in our troops be known.
Sliding out of my booth, I walked around to the adjoining booth and placed my hands flat on their table. Lowering myself to eye level with them, smilingly said, "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. You see, I'm sitting here trying to enjoy my dinner alone. And, do you know why? Because my husband, whom I love with all my heart, is halfway around the world defending your right to say rotten things about him." "Yes, you have the right to your opinion, and what you think is none of my business. However, what you say in public is something else, and I will not sit by and listen to you ridicule MY country, MY president, MY husband, and all the other fine American men and women who put their lives on the line, just so you can have the "freedom" to complain. Freedom is an expensive commodity, ladies. Don't let your actions cheapen it."
I must have been louder that I meant to be, because the manager came over to inquire if everything was all right.
"Yes, thank you," I replied. Then, turning back to the women, I said, "Enjoy the rest of your meal."
As I returned to my booth applause broke out. I was embarrassed for making a scene, and went back to my half eaten steak. The women picked up their check and scurried away.
After finishing my meal, and while waiting for my check, the manager returned with a huge apple cobbler ala mode.
"Compliments of those soldiers, he said. He also smiled and said the ladies tried to pay for my dinner, but that another couple had beaten them to it. When I asked who, the manager said they had already left, but that the gentleman was a veteran, and wanted to take care of the wife of "one of our boys."
With a lump in my throat, I gratefully turned to the soldiers and thanked them for the cobbler. Grinning from ear to ear, they came over and surrounded the booth. "We just wanted to thank you, ma'am. You know we can't get into confrontations with civilians, so we appreciate what you did."
As I drove home, for the first time since my husband's deployment, I didn't feel quite so alone. My heart was filled with the warmth of the other diners who stopped by my table, to relate how they, too, were proud of my husband, and would keep him in their prayers. I knew their flags would fly a little higher the next day.
Perhaps they would look for more tangible ways to show their pride in our country, and the military who rotect her.
And maybe, just maybe, the two women who were railing against our country, would pause for a minute to appreciate all the freedom America offers, and the price it pays to maintain it's freedom.
As for me, I have learned that one voice CAN make a difference. Maybe the next time protesters gather outside the gates of the base where I live, I will proudly stand on the opposite side with a sign of my own. It will simply say, "Thank You!"
To those who fought for our Nation: Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Please pray for God's protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for their commanders. Pass this on to as many as you think will respond. "Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior."
When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground, air and navy personnel in every area of the middle east. There is nothing attached.... This can be very powerful.... Of all the gifts you could give to anyone in the US Military, be it Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines or National Guard, Prayer is the very best one..... Amen!
~God Bless America~
beautiful! thanks for sharing it!
Beautiful post...made me cry
A civil war??? This war in Iraq is not a civil war....Heussein played his cards in the UN...and for YEARS taunted them. The US wanted him to comply to inspections of their weapons (as the UN did)...he chose not to comply...The UN had no backbone so the coalition went in and forced his hand....don't you remember ANY of this? It was on TV, in the newspapers and on the radio for months and months....how soon to forget.
Bumperoo!
God bless military spouses. Definitely not a job for wimps.
...As we explained in a previous version of this page, we could verify only that Lori Kimble is a real person, that she is the author of this piece, and that she asserts it is based upon a real incident. The article contains no details by which it can be independently verified, and our attempts to elicit more information from the author about when and where the events described took place received no response. We note now that the publishers have removed the article from the Washington Dispatch's web site because they, too, have been unable to verify its truthfulness and have been unable to obtain more information from its author...
That is so awesome between your story and this original post, I am feeling real good. You have made my day for sure! Thanks for what you do for all the military personnel. It is appreciated more than you know.
Origins: The piece quoted above was written by Lori Kimble, a 31-year-old California native who is now a teacher in Alabama and the wife of a serviceman. She contributes occasional pieces to The Washington Dispatch, and this item was her contribution for 14 April 2003, published under the title "The Price of Freedom."
As we explained in a previous version of this page, we could verify only that Lori Kimble is a real person, that she is the author of this piece, and that she asserts it is based upon a real incident. The article contains no details by which it can be independently verified, and our attempts to elicit more information from the author about when and where the events described took place received no response. We note now that the publishers have removed the article from the Washington Dispatch's web site because they, too, have been unable to verify its truthfulness and have been unable to obtain more information from its author:
This article as been removed from the archives as questions have arisen regarding its validity. The author has been contacted on numerous occasions but has refused to provide any material that could resolve the issue Last updated: 22 January 2004
On Monday I was at a store and some liberal NAG was wearing a t-shirt with the "hammer and sickle" insignia. I told her it was disgusting to see anyone wearing that on Memorial Day, the day to remember those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. She said she was free to wear what she wanted. I quickly pointed out that that freedom was earned with blood and for her to wear that shirt on Memorial was the same as her going to Arlington and spitting on the graves.
She quickly left the store. Obviously, like every other liberal, slinking away from the truth....
I don't travel often, but last week I did fly into and out of Atlanta. You're right, it was loaded with Military. I tried to thank as many as possible, and to make the thank you specific I pointed out that they were the reason I had no fear of getting on my flight.
Just to be clear, this was not a personal experience that I had, instead it was sent to me via e-mail. However, the version I received was very blurry and I did have to clean it up to post it....
I also find it interesting that you cited the United Nations three times in a relatively short post. My cynicism about this country's motives in Iraq (which dates back to 1991, by the way) was utterly vindicated once I found that many so-called "conservatives" were willing to use the enforcement of United Nations resolutions as a legitimate reason to put the lives of thousands of Americans (including the husband of the woman in this article) at risk in a Third World sh!thole that most Americans couldn't even find on a map.
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