Don’t let the memory of these brave soldiers fade…
This day started out as many do and progressed through the coffee ceremony into the part where Sherri leaves out the door and I say good-bye.
Saying good-bye brought me to remember that this was veterans day which took me back in time when I had to say good-bye to family. In those days a good-bye could be a forever thing…no one knew if you would ever say hello again…not in this lifetime that is.
Standing at the gate in the airport with my Mom looking up at me touching my face for maybe the last time. Thinking that I would never feel that touch of real love again…made it hard to hold back the emotions that where filling up in my heart. The strong handshake from a Dad that had been my protector for a big part of my life was the last bit of encouragement that I would have for some time to come. I remember so vividly that moment in my life when I turned and walked toward that plane that was taking me to an overseas destination that I might never have a return ticket from. I dared not look back for fear that they would see the tears that were streaming down my cheeks. I had to suck it up…for I was an Airborne Ranger…and Rangers don’t cry.
I tell you this so you can think about those soldiers that are leaving this very moment…going to parts of the world that they may never return from. Think about the fear of love ones that may never see there Son Daughter Mom or Dad again. That my friends is a fear you will only know when you go through it.
Upon returning to the World…as we called it then…I had to wear civilian clothes so that there would not be a protest at the airport when I got off the Freedom Bird. How sad is that. Keep this in mind as you celebrate this Veterans day. Somewhere there is a soldier longing for that touch from Mom or shaking his Dads hand once more before called to heaven. Maybe he is staring at a picture of his Daughter or Son…who in his mind he may never see again. Yes this is what serving your country is all about. Doing it to keep what we so often overlook alive here….Freedom.
As I read today…our freedom does not come from the President nor the Congress…our Freedom comes from that soldier that is facing up to the evil in this world. Keeping it over there and not allowing it to come here.
Today, as many days in my life I think about what our soldiers are going through. I pray that G O D watches over them and keeps them strong and delivers them from the valley of the shadow of death and back into the World…
Somewhere in Time
17 comments:
Joe, it’s a great honor to be able to thank you for serving our country. Thank you for your many sacrifices, for being away from your home, family and friends when you were so young. Your family also made sacrifices not having you with them and worrying about you everyday you were gone. To your family and friends, I also say thank you.
Your bravery and strength of character represent what America stands for. God Bless you!
I cannot find the words to express how grateful my family and I are that you put yourself in harm's way in an ugly war to protect our country. The U.S.A. is the land of the free and the home of the brave...but only because of courageous people like you.
Sending you big hugs today !
So well said, Speedy!
Joe what a great post just about brought tears down the old fat cheeks. I know exactly how you must have felt when you came home from that war. I made up my mind right there and then that I would never forget and will always thank a vet as well as an active soldier for their present and past services to our country. Thanks again Bub for you servise
Great post Joe... Thanks to all the men who serve this country, some making the ultimate sacfrifice, we are safe... Happy Veterns Day my friend... God Bless you all!
Travel Safely
Donna
Nicely said Speedy. I remember my Kevin telling me that same thing about coming back and having to change, to walk thru the airport. How sad. Today I believe it is different. I have seen them applauded walking thru the airport. As they should be. I always thank them when I see them.
I am so proud of my husband and all you veterans for giving your lives to our country.... Thank you.
Leno
Joe,
That is such a touching post. It brought tears to my eyes. I feel that Veterans need to be thanked everyday for the freedoms we still have. Thank you and all the veterans who have served and continue to serve our country. God Bless
Toe Wiggles to Sherri. LOL
well done,well said
Well said my friend. Thanks so much for your service.
I also was so touched by your post Joe. Thank you for your service to this country. I've never had to experience that personally...I was always one who had to wait at home...praying for my loved one(s) safe return. All these years later as a soldier's grandmom...I wait....and I pray. Actually on Facebook a couple of my family are in the most recent FOX video honoring our vets. One is of my dad when he returned from war and met me for the first time. We were sitting in the grass at my grandfather's farm. My son is also in the video...toward the end. He is active Air Force. Thanks again for your post. God Bless You!
Joe, I too went and got on that airplane to VietNam. I left behind a wife and young child. Those feelings are more than one is able to describe. You have done as good of job relating the experience as I have ever read.
We were called baby killers when we returned to the US. A fitting tribute to our service to the nation.
Rod
Thank you Speedy for your great post, and for the duty and effort you gave for each one of us. Thank you.
this brought tears to my eyes. beautifully written!
Linda
Excellent Post.. Thank you for your service.
Great post Joe...Thank you,and all of our service Men & Women everywhere,so much for your service to our country.
Hi Speedy,
Great post. I know just how you felt. Even after all these years I can still see my mom as we said our good-bye's and shed our tears those many years ago. Every time I hear about one of our young men who is not comming home it bring back memories of friend who I'll never see again. Thanks for the post. It's a great reminder to remember our young men in our prayers every day who are serving our country.
PS: I have followed your blog almost from the beginning and look forward every day to hearing from you. One of these days I plan to join you on the road and I look forward to meeting you in person.
Dave
Great post Speedy. I have always been proud of the time I spent in the service of our country regardless of what the public sentiment was at the time.
A true friend, thanks for your service to our country.
Stay Safe
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