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Posted on 11/10/2007 6:14:27 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska
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I found this about 10 years ago or so and used to post it on an old page. I don't know if the entire thing is by Father O'Brien, on just the part at the bottom:
Father Denis Edward O'Brien, USMC
WHAT IS A VET?
Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a jagged scar, a certain look in the eye.
Others may carry the evidence inside them: a pin holding a bone together, a piece of shrapnel in the leg - or perhaps another sort of inner steel: the soul's ally forged in the refinery of adversity.
Except in parades, however, the men and women who have kept America safe wear no badge or emblem.
You can't tell a vet just by looking.
What is a vet?
He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run out of fuel.
He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel.
She - or he - is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Da Nang.
He is the POW who went away one person and came back another - or didn't come back AT ALL.
He is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat - but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang members into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other's backs.
He is the parade - riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand.
He is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by.
He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor dies unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's sunless deep.
He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket - palsied now and aggravatingly slow - who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come.
He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being - a person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.
He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known.
So remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over and say Thank You. That's all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarded.
Two little words that mean a lot, "THANK YOU".
Remember November 11th is Veterans Day
"It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier,
Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protestor to burn the flag."
Father Denis Edward O'Brien
USMC
Happy God’s Day, Kathy!
B T T T
Prayers and profound respect sent for Maine Rebel.
And for you too!
For those that have been injured help us help them with Project Valour-IT - Voice Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops.
We, have been granted a reprieve, Valour-IT donations will continue thru Monday Nov 12
http://www.mudvillegazette.com/milblogs/archives/2007/11/11/#009711
Please help if you can...
So did anyone happen to catch the VP laying he wreath today at the Tomb?
BTTT
Hi Kathy, Interesting thing happened today. Wife and I went to a Veteran’s Day ceremony at our community and parked the golf cart to the rear of a large audience. A Pearl Harbor survivor gave the Pledge of Allegiance. On the way home we stopped at the club for the Sunday brunch. As I was sitting at the table waiting for my wife a gentleman (who was by himself) asked if he could join us. Of course, I said. We made small talk and I told him that what most impressed me about the ceremony was the man who gave the Pledge. He said, I was that man. I told him how honored my wife and I were to have a survivor at our table. We talked and talked. Needless to say, I picked up the tab and told him I was honored to do so. The greatest generation.
PRAYER FOR THE SAFETY OF SOLDIERS
Almighty and eternal God, those who take refuge in you will be glad and forever will shout for joy. Protect these soldiers as they discharge their duties. Protect them with the shield of your strength and keep them safe from all evil and harm. May the power of your love enable them to return home in safety, that with all who love them, they may ever praise you for your loving care. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
What a fantastic story, Star. It takes someone who’s been downrange to say it right.
I’d tellit, too, but you know how that goes...
And thanks to you for your service to our country.
Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.
Make sure you check back in tonight for tomorrow’s thread... you’ll like. :-D
Hi Kathy, He was in the Navy at Pearl, a Catalina air squadron, came under direct attack. Had lost his wife 2 yrs. prior. What a honor to break bread with the greatest generation. He is in his 80’s.
Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.
Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.
Thanks for the ping Star,here’s a bump.
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