For our Troops and supporters of the
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For our Troops and supporters of the
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My humble contribution to today's thread:
Saluting, Past and Present Military Members and their Families.
Those stories are beautiful!
Thank you.
I'd like to thank you for that last picture of the dog tags.
If there's anything that identifies and personifies all military people, it's the dogtags.
It's one of the first things we get, and sometimes it's the last reminder of who we are.
They signify our unity of purpose and our dedication to our country.
Thank you
I am writing you this letter
because you are my friend.
The fighting here is more than I can take.
I am homesick, tired, and dirty,
won’t this fighting ever end.
But, don’t tell Mother this
for Heaven’s sake.
Just tell the folks I miss ‘em
that I am well
and feeling fine
Don’t tell them that I killed 3 men
this morning on the line.
Just tell them that their oldest boy
is fighting like a Man
And tell them that I miss ‘em
and will soon be home again.
Dear Son:
I'm sending this via prayer through God, so I know you'll get it, and it won't be late, have 'postage due', or be 'undeliverable as addressed'.
What you are going through now is the path that you have chosen. We are all so proud of you. You are remarkable. It is the biggest challenge you have faced in your short 18 years. It was developed to prepare you for whatever may lie ahead in your quest to protect and serve your country.
My generation hasn't thought much about 'country' since the nightmare of the Vietnam war, a war that split this country down the middle. I carried signs protesting the war, yet wrote to my brother and my friends everyday who chose or maybe didn't choose to fight for their country, yet were stationed in the middle of gunfire, watching their friends and buddies pay the ultimate price.
Your grandfather fought for his country, and came back a hero, yet your uncle, my Brother, came back to an empty airport. One had a united nation behind him, the other was called a baby-killer. Both fought for the freedom that all of us wake up to each day of our lives.
When I gave birth to you and your Brother, I swore that I 'would send you to Canada' before allowing you to risk your life for such an 'ungrateful' country. Yet somehow I was able to teach you to believe in your country, your freedom, and what is right.
I taught you to "do the right thing". And as our children often do, you chose a path that went way awry of my expectations. You couldn't be a teacher, doctor, plumber, or social worker; NOOOOOOOO, you chose a career as a protector of our freedom. What's worse, you have actually followed through with it.
Now you're in some in god-awful place learning how to survive under the WORST of conditions. For seven days, living off the land, cold, shivering, hungry, and maybe even scared. Mom isn't there now to be your buffer. To protect, feed, clothe, tie your shoes, and hug you.
I can't fight the people 'hurting' you because they are teaching, and you are learning how to keep safe, and keep others around you safe. But the entire family is praying for you everyday. You Will Make It.
I'm so proud of you, of your committment, and of your reminder to me, that I live in a great country, with great young men and young women who have chosen to dedicate their lives to keeping our beliefs and ideals safe and out of harms way.
When I see our Flag, I think of you, and of how proud I am to have you as my son, and How Proud I am to be an American. Thanks my Son.
God Bless You, and Protect You
Mom
A soldier's Mother worries when he goes to war.
She wonders if he is safe and happy,
or if she will see him any more.
She knows he doesn't want this war,
But she can also realize
He's fighting for a freedom,
This freedom is their Lives.
I don't want this War,
But people hear my voice;
I'm fighting for something special,
My Mother's right of choice.
So if I should die in combat,
Mother, please don't weep;
For I would rather die protecting you
Than die while I'm asleep.
If God should take me unto him,
During hate, hostility and war,
Remember Mother I Love my country,
But I love you ever more.
Written by
William Stephen Clark
in VietNam March 1968
Killed in VietNam July 28,1968
NEVER ~ ~ ~
WWII and Korea and Nam are very personal things to me, with memories of many.....
Coffee anyone? 
to visit the tribute page
SCOUTS OUT!
Always 22
Walk softly; Mother’s dreaming
Of her boy who marched away----
Went to fight for me and you,
And he was only “22.”
He looked so strong that day,
As he went marching far away,
He loved the red, white, and blue,
But, he was only “22.”
Yes, walk softly and let her dream;
The years will quickly pass,
I’ll grow older, and so will you ---
But her boy will always be “just 22.”