Tribute To Vietnam Veterans....Welcome Home.......March 5, 2002

Self and Various web sites for graphics and friends

[Snow Bunny]

Even though we all were in Vietnam at different times, at different places our hearts were united and our lives they were intertwined.
After Vietnam there were no parades, not many people wanted to hear our stories, and if they did listen, they didn't really understand. I know this is a small thank you for all each of you did , but I want to thank you for serving and for being the person you were then and now.
I appreciated what you were did ,and would do in the future to secure the freedom and liberty of this nation and other nations.

A man has not lived until he has almost died…….

For those who have fought life has a flavor……..

The protected will never know.

…….. author Unknown Vietnam Veteran

THE EYES OF A WARRIOR
(A tribute to the Vietnam Veterans, and the Veterans of our past)

In the eyes of a warrior we see strength, loyalty, honor ~ we see pain, horror, and loneliness. When you look into their eyes you see the stony strength of one who has the courage to take on the world so that we may choose. You see the will that stands between fear and a belief that freedom is the most valuable gift that one can give to another. And, you see the heart ~ with its granite-hard conviction that the soul cannot survive without honor. Personal honor cannot be lost or thrown away. It is embedded in the soul of the warrior beyond this earth ~ beyond eternity, and beyond his or her own ability to survive without it.

When you look into the eyes of a warrior, you also see the dead pool of pain. It surrounds and envelopes the inner soul ~ it is a natural by-product of the prize, freedom. One cannot win this prize unless they are willing to endure the pain ~ for this is the price. No one pays this price like the warrior. The horror that is endured....remembered....is the cause of the pain but is also the means by which the warrior wins for us, the freedom and the life that we enjoy. So oblivious are we to the price they pay. The tears they shed somewhere inside where we cannot see unless we look for the brothers they were forced to leave behind, and for the loss ~ the never ending loss of war. In their eyes one will see the deepest most internal ~ and most eternal loneliness we shall ever witness. It comes from the deepest part within them, that part which suffers still, the battle.

If you look deep into the eyes of a warrior, you will see the collage of the human spirit. If you cannot envy this ~ if you cannot love, respect and honor this, then you have no right to the freedom they so willingly won, and then simply gave to you.

Have we ever stopped to think what our world would be like if we had no warriors? How would we have the right to determine for ourselves what we will do on a lazy Sunday afternoon? How would we determine for ourselves what our children will learn and how they will be raised? And the most important question of all ~~ how dare we forget these things are true?

To All Veterans:

"With all my heart I embrace you....
with all my soul I wrap you in
the protective shroud of my pride
in you and my gratitude for what
you have given me".

[Snow Bunny]

oh Mama_Bear what a wonderful post. Thank you so much dear friend.

[Snow Bunny]

Beautiful IronJack !

(( hug ))

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you so much for your post ! And thank you for all you do.

[Snow Bunny]

Hi my friend, thank you so much!!!

[Snow Bunny]

HI and thanks to your Father and to you too for all you do. I appreciate your sharing in your post. Thanks again !

[Snow Bunny]

Thanks Rightfield, I agree. A much needed thank you to our Vietnam Veterans. All vets should be thanked always, I hope others will thank a vet when they meet them or even see them around.

Thank you for your post.

[onedoug]

Thank always for the great flags, Snow Bunny.

Here's something a little different. I went back to Vietnam with my daughter in April 2000. I met a friend there and we've been emailing regularly since. He recently sent this little story to me. I thought you all might enjoy it too....

"A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.
- Daddy, may I ask you a question?
- Yes sure, what is it? Replied the man.
- Daddy, how much do you make an hour?
- That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing? The man said angrily.
- I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour? Pleaded the little boy.
- If you must know, I make $20 an hour.
- Oh - the little boy replied, with his head down. Looking up, he said:
- Daddy, may I please borrow $10?
The father was furious:
- If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard everyday for such this childish behavior.
The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.
The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?
After about an hour or so, the man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.
- Are you asleep, son? He asks.
- No daddy, I'm. awake - replied the boy.
- I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier- said the man- It's been a long day and I took out my aggrevation on you. Here's the $10 you asked for.
The little boy sat straight up, smiling:
- Oh, thank you daddy - He yelled.
Then reaching under his pillow the pulled out some crumpled up bills. The man, seeing that the boy already had money, started to get angry again.
The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.
- Why do you want more money if you already have some? The father grumbled
- Because I didn't have enough, but now I do - the boy replied.
- Daddy, I have $20 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.- "

Doug,
There is a meaning just like this: share $20 worth of time with someone we love. It's just a short reminder to all of we working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts.
I will be back with you soon
Thanh Dung

[DoughtyOne]

Yes it is.

[Snow Bunny]

It means a lot to read what you shared in your post. Thank you so much.

I thank your brother-in-law, Mike. Thank you Mike with all my heart for serving our country !!!!!

Please tell Mike... Welcome Home for Snow Bunny and so many of us here at FR.

[Bigg Red]

Thank you for the ping, Snow.

To All the Veterans:
Thank you so much for your bravery and your nobility. Civilization could not survive without the courage of brave men like you. We honor you, warriors, and many of us are not worthy of the sacrifices you have made in our name. May God bless and protect you.

[Snow Bunny]

Billie, my wonderful friend. Thank you so much for your beautiful post. I love your heart and our friendship. Thank you.

[Bigg Red]

Thank you so much for your bravery and your nobility. Civilization could not survive without the courage of brave men like you. We honor you, warriors, and many of us are not worthy of the sacrifices you have made in our name. May God bless and protect you.

[Bigg Red]

Thank you so much for your bravery and your nobility. Civilization could not survive without the courage of brave men like you. We honor you, warriors, and many of us are not worthy of the sacrifices you have made in our name. May God bless and protect you.

[JustAmy]

As I stand on the street corner every Friday night, I think of the Viet Nam Veterans and wish I had not been so young and uninvolved. I watched the War protesters on TV but did nothing except say how horrible they were treating our servicemen but I was not strong enough to stand on the corner and wave the flag. I feel guilty about how our VietNam Vets were treated and wish there were something we could do now. I stood in from of the wall in DC and cried. If only we could have been as smart and strong in our twenties as we are now.
God Bless our Viet Nam Vets!!! God Bless our military!! Thank you for protecting our freedoms!
God Bless America!!

[Bigg Red]

Thank you so much for your bravery and your nobility. Civilization could not survive without the courage of brave men like you. We honor you, warriors, and many of us are not worthy of the sacrifices you have made in our name. May God bless and protect you.

[Bigg Red]

Thank you so much for your bravery and your nobility. Civilization could not survive without the courage of brave men like you. We honor you, warriors, and many of us are not worthy of the sacrifices you have made in our name. May God bless and protect you.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"and wish there were something we could do now"

My Dear FRiend, you DO this every Fri in Fresno, standing up to the new generation of peaceniks.
YOU are helping make sure the mistakes of the past are not repeated.
It is I who THANK YOU and All FReepers who take part in Operation Infinite FReep.
Stand Tall JustAmy, YOU are a patriot.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"and wish there were something we could do now"

My Dear FRiend, you DO this every Fri in Fresno, standing up to the new generation of peaceniks.
YOU are helping make sure the mistakes of the past are not repeated.
It is I who THANK YOU and All FReepers who take part in Operation Infinite FReep.
Stand Tall JustAmy, YOU are a patriot.

[Snow Bunny]

Hi nice to see you. Yes, Tonkin is a cutie. I just love his heart too. It is a real honor to know him.

Thank you for your post NotJustAnotherPrettyFace !! Thank you so much.

[swheats]

May God continue to bless you Bunny for your untiring efforts in keeping the home fires burning for our service men and women.