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".

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

I'm re-posting your original post with the link fixed.

Please just click on the graphic of the lyrics to hear the song " Some Gave All" by Billy Ray Cyrus.
It is a 4 minute song so it takes a little time to load, but well worth the wait.

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you Tonkin. I had a blonde moment when I typed the code for that one post. haha

[Snow Bunny]

How true Tonkin. They see you there and they know you mean business. I will never forget that one thread I pinged you to there were people there mouthing off about our military.
You rode in and I have not seen the idiots since. LOL

[theirjustdue]

I dropped by when I got your ping on the 5th, SB and I honestly didn't know how to respond at the time. For me, it's been nearly 36 years, since VN, and I have never seen or experienced anything like this wonderful and meaningful tribute you have created here for VN Vets.

I seem to be having a much more difficult time expressing my thoughts and feelings than I would have thought, so I will just say thank you, Snow Bunny, from the bottom of my heart and trust that you will know how very much it means.

[theirjustdue]

Thank you Snow Bunny, for your service to our country and the little piece of home you brought to the troops.

I didn't get to see you and Bob Hope, but I'll never forget how much having Ann Margaret and Johnny Rivers come up to see us in Phu Bai, meant to us.

Thank you and welcome home.

[Snow Bunny]

theirjustdue, your sharing with me means so much. It is a gift from your heart to mine and I hold it very dear. Thank you.

I am so glad you got to see Annie, that is great.

Thank you theirjustdue for your friendship.(((( hug )))

[1stbn27]

HEY BRO.....If'n I see any CREEPERS tryin to penetrate da wire, I'll try to give ya a shout bro....WELCOME HOME BRO AND SEMPER FIDELIS !!!! Its Just a Nam Thing

[68 grunt]

HEY BRO.....If'n I see any CREEPERS tryin to penetrate da wire, I'll try to give ya a shout bro.

Tonks' a standup dude whose been honorably playing this game awhile. What you, 1stbn27, and me gotta do is let others carry the load. You let one of the divisive creepers wind up your rage and you're the one that'll pay. It goes beyond being banned. You know I know you know what I mean! The creep at the other end scores when you get angry. Don't let 'em know, even if it means ignoring them. Plus, anger contributes to anger and is ever perpetuating. Semper Fi, Amigo!

All you other Vets on the thread, thanks and hang tough!

Snow Bunny and all you other supportive folks, thanks for being there. Semper Fi!

[1stbn27]

Thanks Grunt....real ya loud and Clear....won't play their game !!!! I'll save it fer the right place !!! I can tell from his past post's that Tonk's a straight up bro and I'm sure he does just fine watchin da wire and keepin a cool head !!! Its Just a Nam Thing

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Brothers, I am always on watch on Free Republic.
I work on the net for my own business so I am always nearby.
Only time I'm gone is when I am at the Coast Guard base doing my Coast Guard Auxiliary duties.
I get just as angry as you do when I see disrepect to those serving and those who have served.
I've learned the best defense is an offense.
Believe me I have to watch what I post, but I find using their own lies and rants against them works nearly everytime.
I take it as a duty and honor to guard da wire.
If you see some SOB sneak in, just ping or FReep e-mail me and I'll do my thing.
God Bless America

[Snow Bunny]

I just want to thank you again for your post, for sharing with me like that.It means a lot to me and is very special.

[Snow Bunny]

Critter I am so glad you got the "It's A Nam Thing" CD.

River Rat you posted this once and I saved it. Thanks so much.

[B4Ranch]

Thank you for everything.

[Viet Vet in Augusta GA]

I was out of town last week & too dumb to know how to log in from the road, so this is late. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Nice parade and welcome home.

[Snow Bunny]

It is good to see you. Thank you!

You gave me an idea and I thank you for that too. Sometime in May I will be going out of town, I finally got a lap top and I really should take it with me so I can answer pings and do threads for the USO Canteen FReeper Style in the eveinngs in the hotel room . I have no clue how to do get online while traveling but I know people do travel with their computers.
I saw two people at a Starbucks this morning each with a lap top sitting outside.

This is so new to me.LOL I have to get used to having things like this.

Thank you so much my friend.

[SAMWolf]

[Snow Bunny]

WOW ! Sam this is fantastic ! Thank you so much.

[aomagrat]

Bump!!!

[Snow Bunny]

Hi, thank you so much aomagrat !!!!

(((( hug ))))

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

BUMP for a great thread!