nt

in my darker moments as a commissioned officer I equated my relationship with the Army to Renfield’s to Dracula.

I was politically active in college. When the time came to make a decision about how to serve my country, I decided joining the military was more beneficial to preserving liberty than getting into politics or government. Now I wonder if I made the right choice.
While I thought I was out supporting the good fight, enemies of all I hold dear became entrenched in our very own country.

Similarly, since getting out of the Navy, I’ve followed my husband around to some places that were better than others. In one particularly lousy overseas assignment, I reminded myself that our family was in total control of the government temporarily, and that our short-term sacrifice of freedom would benefit America in the long run. Now I wonder if that was all in vain.

Someone on Redstate said this a few weeks ago, I can’t remember who, but it bears repeating — If you want to thank the military for their service, give them a country worth coming home to.

and he will reward you…and your wife. We can never know what might have been (as Aslan says repeatedly), but your example must be that light that shines in the darkness.

Yet there will be – and we are all paying – the price of betrayal by our leaders – and those who by deception or out of the corruption in their hearts have enabled it.

Take a look at penguin2′s diary earlier today. You’ve done the best you could by your kids; it’s up to them how they play the cards they’ve been dealt, but you’ve given them some high cards.

Your trust was reasonable, it is our leaders that may fail you and us.
Your heart and intentions were good and strong. That is what is truly important, not the failures of other men.

You sound like a truly noble man, and as civil says above, it is your “light that shines in the darkness.” And if I may add, many will see that light.

I THANK YOU because the reality is without you and others like you WE would have been a communist country long before now. I THANK YOU because the reality is that WE can beat back this DEVIL because Americans are AWAKE for the 1st time in a long time. It was under Reagan and because of a weak and pathetic Democrat named Carter that Americans last AWOKE….there is no doubt that WE have become complacent and I apologize to you and ALL the others in the military for squandering their good will BUT I promise you that WE shall STOP this horror that is under way and make good on your commitment to We The People of these United States of America!!!

for Vietnam. I was 21 years old.

Your words tell of the sacrifice you gave for your country and show the great recognition you have for your family – who sacrificed also.

Don’t toss away words of appreciation.

It’s funny because I occasionally have friends from my generation stop me in a restaurant or on the street in order to offer thanks. After all the years that have passed these folks finally had something to say about my service! A couple of weeks ago I received several calls and FaceBook posts thanking me on Veteran’s Day.

I believe you will see things as being more worthwhile after you are 40 years removed from your service.

Thank you for your service. God Bless you and your family.

Your words are painful and sobering. I agree with Justin – give it some time. I am only 10 years out and am finally able to accept words of thanks from my fellows. At first, it was hard, but it gets easier.

I salute you. I salute your family’s sacrifice. I lost my first wife because she could not understand why I wore the uniform… why I wanted to stay and defend the values my father taught me….

Yes, our leaders have forsaken the very ideals that we took an oath to protect. But it is not (was not) our fault. Regardless of what has happened on these shores, we who wore the colors of our country did the right thing, whether it be in Vietnam, Iraq, Kosovo or Stateside…

We did the right thing. Our sacrifices were not in vain…

Take this as you will…

Thank you.

I will say this to your wife, daughter and son:

God bless you and keep you for having such a husband and father in your lives.

You may not fully understand what you have right there in front of you as soulmate and parent…… and a child of God, a true American hero known as “dear” and “dad”.

All the best.

…proud man, standing tall in uniform, there is a stronger wife very nearby, or far far away, yet the two hearts are united. To the wives who think they can change thier husbands, don;t bother trying. Unless you too have worn the uniform of our great country VOLUNTARILY, you cannot know the measure of sacrifice that we are willing to endure to protect you and the country you call home.

…tired and lonely soldier in a distant land, the thoughts of home, wife and children are continuous sources to refuel that inner strength that once in a while needs a little reminder of why. It’s how we function of so little comfortable sleep.

… an author, journalist(cough), town crier, phamphleteer, or the lowest of scum, the flagburner, there is a soldier who VOLUNTEERED his life to empower your rant without fear of reprisal from the very government from which he draws his pay.

…a house of worship, across the friuted plain, be it Temple, Church, Assembly, Kingdom Hall, or consecrated arena or town squre, the soldiers, current and former, are there to let you profess you faith in the way YOU see fit.

…disaster of unknown hazards, there is a solder, sailor, Airman, Marine and Coast Guardsman, and the machines that they care for, ships, helicopters, cargo aircraft, ready to go to all corners of the world to save lives.

… a military family that grieves the loss of a loved one, there are Americans, ready to give back some measure of devotion and respect to the silent hero, unknown to most.

Reach out this holiday season to those that you see proudly displaying a Blue or Gold Star banner, pin, or license plate, for they shall have an unfilled place at their holiday table this year. A word of thanks, an offered prayer, an umbrella in a rainstrom, and you shall feel the greatness of America within you.

If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can still read it in English, You’re Welcome
Deskpilot, AM(H)1 (AW), USN (Ret)

Join the RedState Strike Force

but I must admit I wonder how I would bear up were I still in – makes me admire those who ARE in right now all the more.

When I commissioned into the Air Force, Ronald Reagan was the Commander in Chief. That was a great time to be in the Service. When I got out eight years later, Clinton was in the White House. Not the brightest Commander in Chief in my opinion, but he practically looks like Ike compared to the one we have in there now.

My thoughts and prayers are with our current service members. They do a good thing, especially in these times.

You’ve put into verse exactly how I feel. I’ve got 23 years combined in the Army and Air Force. Basically my entire adult life. And I’m tired.

this year. He spent two Christmases in Ramadi and Baghdad while he was still a teenager. Now they’re asking him to go again, this time to Afghanistan. He will likely spend next Christmas over there.

I am so grateful to him and to all of those who serve. I could never do what they (you) do. I would hate the sleep deprivation. I would hate being in hot, dry places and bitter cold places without indoor plumbing or blow dryers. I would hate the boredom of repetitious drills and endless manual labor. I would hate the idea of being afraid of the people around me, those who resented my presence and would betray me for a cigarette. I would hate the idea that Americans were Christmas shopping and feasting while taking my sacrifice for granted. I would be resentful and angry and bitter when I came home.

I told my son all of this. He laughed and shook his head and showed me his latest tattoo bearing the initials of everyone in our family and the words, “Love Is What I Got.”

Semper fi.