Wanted to take a minute and say thanks to everyone who has given of their time, abilities and lives in service to our country. There seems to be quite an effort being made in the media to portray those who serve as almost "unwilling participants in enforcing an unpopular national policy around the globe." So I thought I would take us back a couple years and see if the media is right or if they are a bunch of pampered, money grubbing liberals who never understood what goes on inside a man's heart that leads us to fight.
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Well maybe the media is right, clearly these guys crawling ashore in the first waves to land on the beaches of Iwo Jima are probably not thinking about God and country, they are mostly concerned with not getting their heads blown off...oh, but wait, as they were loading into the landing craft, they were almost silent with the thoughts of their families, their children and...gasp...their God. "Will I go to heaven if I'm killed?" "I miss my wife and kids so much it hurts, but I'm doin this for you." "I hope I get to see them again." "Jesus, forgive me for being such a selfish bastard." "Please get me through this Lord."
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Huh, imagine that, they were not thinking about trampling the rights and forcing a capitalist policy on another culture. Oh, but wait, that was probably just one "instance" where God and country crept in while they were hitting the beach and a little nervous. The media assures us that the rest of the time, the guys were more concerned with their individual ethnic roots and the moral injustice of using our military might against another culture.
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Hmmm, but that slug fest on Iwo Jima lasted for 35 Days, Wake Island held out for 15 days of bombardment from air and sea to end in a hand to hand hell of combat, in Europe the guys were praying each time they kicked in another door as they fought the Nazis house to house, and while the 20,000 American prisoners of the Bataan Death March were being systematically beheaded and butchered, then endured another 3 years of torture and murder, while secretly saving enough cloth fragments to sew together a makeshift American flag which they kept hidden under their bunks...I don't think they hated our country and felt we were being intolerant of the views of other peoples. I think they were longing with all their failing strength to see the land and people they loved, to breathe free and watch their kids grow free and safe in a strong and healthy United States of America that represents hope for the oppressed, and "you better believe you're going to get your ass handed to you" for tyrants and proponents of terror.
So for those who gave all, and all who were willing to give up those they love, to stand united behind the idea and hope of the Stars and Stripes, I would share with you this passage from the Bible, "Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down his life for another." So thank you for your gift to each of us as you have stood faithfully against all the failed and wicked ideologies of mankind, from the third reich and communism, to islamic terror and drug lords. God bless you with a hard fought peace, and the knowledge that not all of us will bow to the whine of "that's not fair" from the mouths of those who do not understand what sacrifice means. It's an honor to run the track with you, my family and I thank you. chaplain#220
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wow thanks for posting that
Amazing post, sir. +1,000,000,000
Thank you!
amen brother...
Art, I felt compelled to stand at attention the entire time I read that post. Your words are like music to my heart Brother. God bless all who have given so much of them selves so I may walk unafraid through my streets. Thanks Art!
THANKS!!
tim
This Memorial Weekend, I will going to see my son, who is serving in the navy.
Nice post Brother Art...
Art, I think you are talking about the same media I was listening to last night as I was told to remember all kinds of things this Memorial day.
The only thing they didn't mention was the men and women who gave so that we could have what they told me to remember.
Well said.
Quote from: barb_arah on May 27, 2010, 09:31:55 AM
This Memorial Weekend, I will going to see my son, who is serving in the navy.
Tell him an old jarhead on the BBS said "Thanks for your service swabbie"
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a friend emailed this one to me will try to down load a few others not as dramatic as iwo jima but still pretty tough the longer this goes on the more the miller house appreciates the men and woman in combat. thanks a million.
Their service, our freedom.
It was an amazing weekend! I have a better understanding of what our sailors have to put up with.
I served in the Air Force in the early 80's (peace time) and learned then that we can never thank those who gave thier lives for our freedom enough! There are so many out there that want to take our way of life away from us. No matter what the media say's this is an all volunteer military, and those that serve do so freely. So I send out a big thank you and a prayer to the ones serving now and in the past. Thank you for my way of life, my wife and son, everything I have, and the rite to choose!
+ A LOT!!!