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".

[LBGA]

Thanks for this tribute, Snow Bunny! Looking at the pic in #196 got to me... they were all so young.

We asked our young men to go to a foreign land and protect freedom for citizens of another country, and back home, congressmen undermined their efforts and students protested them. What a shame it all was.

Welcome home all who served in Vietnam.

[MortMan]

As a Gulf War veteran and a sometime student of military history, I thank each and every one of you Vietnam veterans for going, for giving, for dying, and for living. The turmoil imposed on you is a shameful record of America's failures to protect and honor its own. But for those of us who have eyes to see and hearts to feel, we know you are the truest American heroes - just for having answered your call to duty.

God bless you all.

[T'wit]

Thank you. Philippa Schuyler was a conservative activist and Goldwater supporter, if memory serves. Probably in YAF.

Carole Landis, in the book I mentioned, was in German air raids, flew in combat zones and hitched a ride back to England in a plane that shouldn't have been in the air. The risks were high even for pampered Hollywood performers!

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you Big Red, well said.

[Iowa Granny]

Thank you dear Snow Bunny for creating this beautiful tribute to my friends and to those I didn't know. This is an absolutely wonderful thread.

I am at work, surrounding by people, and the tears are streaming down my face,,, the mascara is melting and making me look like a raccoon. (Yes, even Old Grannys wear mascara sometimes).

You are one remarkable "Babe" SB. I am so very proud to know you!

[Snow Bunny]

HI swheats, so good to see you. You are so kind dear friend.

(( hug ))

[Snow Bunny]

Good to see you. Thank you for serving and helping to keep me safe and living in a free land.

Welcome Home
Semper Fi

[Snow Bunny]

( smiling).....you are a good parent. Prayers that your son is well soon.

[Snow Bunny]

You know what Tonkin, the first one to welcome me to FR was BeforeISleep and the very second one to welcome me was onedoug.

I remember it like it was yesterday.

Thank you for your post Tonkin and to all of you for your kindness.

[daisyscarlett]

It was my husband's brother who was in Viet Nam, not Mr. Daisy. But I will certainly convey your Welcome Home to him!

Mr. Daisy served in the Air Force just prior to Viet Nam.

[Snow Bunny]

Johnny, I never saw this before. You always find the best things to share. Thank you soooo much Johnny.

Thank you for serving our country it means so much to me.

I am saving the link.Thank you.((hug))

[Snow Bunny]

You are very wise. Thank you for your post! Thank you for being you.

[Snow Bunny]

OH Sam what a story about The Wall. You always find things that get right into my heart. Thank you Sam for this and for all you do.(( hug ))

[Snow Bunny]

HI JustAmy, thank you for your post and for all you do to support our troops. You do alot and you make a huge difference. Thank you for being my friend.

[Johnny_Apollo]

Arlington

[Johnny_Apollo]

Ooops. That came out a little big. I just copied the url. It's supposed to be a photo of Arlington. http://www.calegion.org/news/opinions/veterans3.gif

[Euro-American Scum]

Thanks so much, Snow Bunny. This is almost like making it all the way home.

I want to offer a rememberance for Sp. 4 Thomas Anthony Eckl, 199th Lt. Infantry Bde., KIA 20 Feb, 1968.

If ever there was anyone who should have come home, it was him. Hard to see God's purpose in action with what happened to him.

[jo6pac]

Thanks for the ping.

Beautiful!

[Snow Bunny]

Grumpster, thank you for serving our country. You helped keep me safe and living in a free land and it means so much to me.

Welcome Home

[Snow Bunny]

Hi good to see you. Thank you for being here and for your Father serving. (( hug ))