Someone sent me this as part of an email chain letter. I won’t pass emails on to others, but this was good enough to share; this is a much preferable mode for this sort of thing.
Much To Be Thankful For
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.You talk trash about your ‘buddies’ that aren’t with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He doesn’t get to eat today.Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn’t have time to brush his teeth today.You’re angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He’s told he will be held over an extra 2 months.You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and smells his love’s perfume.You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they’ll ever meet.You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.
He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the broken bodies lying around him.You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don’t.
He does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.
He tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long.If you support your troops, send this to 7 people.
If you don’t support your troops well, then don’t send this out. You won’t die in 7 days, your love life won’t be affected, and you won’t have the worst day ever.
You don’t have to email this. It’s not like you know the men and women that are dying to preserve your rights.REMEMBER our Troops, and do not forget them LATER
Lest we forget
It drives me just a little crazy when people criticize members of the military. How often have they considered the fact that the freedom they enjoy which allows them the ability to make that criticism was purchased for them by soldiers fighting and dying on battlefields in many places around the world throughout history. They may not agree with the current war going on in the Middle East, in spite of the reality of the threat, but you would think they’d show a little gratitude for those who have gone before. But the privileged rarely give thought to the source of their
I’m one who doesn’t agree with a portion of the war – Iraq – but have a son fighting there, and agree with a portion of the war – Afghanistan – and have another son training for deployment there. As an era vet of yet another unpopular war (Vietnam), I understand and do not criticize the military for the politicians that order them in. The threat in the Middle East is greater from the country that we didn’t invade – Iran. That will come back to bite us in the butt, I’m afraid.
As a father I don’t want to see my sons lives at risk in a war that is already not understood by some – but I do understand, and so supported them in their choice to become Marines. I support them still.