For our troops overseas.

[CEREDOVFD646]

This letter is alittle long but I think it is well worth reading it..Whom ever wrote it deserves credit.Alot of people have forgotten about or troops. They hear about them dying everyday and no one really pays attention to the deaths anymore...I know I pray for them all to come home safe everyday and only God knows when they will.


>A true story or not, I think this message expresses
>what we all feel.
>
>
>The Flight Home
>
>
>I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767 waiting for
>everyone to hurry and stow their carry-on and grab a
>seat so we could start what I was sure to be a long ,
>uneventful flight home.
>
>With the huge capacity and slow moving people taking
>their time to stuff luggage far too big for the
>overhead and never paying much attention to holding up
>the growing line behind them, I simply shook my head
>knowing that this flight was not starting out very
>well. I was anxious to get home to see my loved ones
>so I was focused on "my" issues and just felt like
>standing up and yelling for some of these clowns to
>get their act together. I knew I couldn't say a word
>so I just thumbed thru the "Sky Mall" magazine from
>the seat pocket in front of me. You know it's really
>getting rough when you resort to the over priced,
>useless sky mall crap to break the monotony.
>
>With everyone finally seated, we just sat there with
>the cabin door open and no one in any hurry to get us
>going although we were well past the scheduled take
>off time. No wonder the airline industry is in trouble
>I told myself. Just then, the attendant came on the
>intercom to inform us all that we were being delayed.
>The entire plane let out a collective groan. She
>resumed speaking to say "We are holding the aircraft
>for some very special people who are on their way to
>the plane and the delay shouldn't be more
>than 5 minutes. The word came after waiting six times
>as long as we were promised that "I" was finally going
>to be on my way home. Why the hoopla over "these"
>folks? I was expecting some celebrity or sport figure
>to be the reason for the holdup...just get their butts
>in a seat and lets hit the gas I thought.
>
>The attendant came back on the speaker to announce in
>a loud and excited voice that we were being joined by
>several U. S. Marines returning home from Iraq!!! Just
>as they walked on board, the entire plane erupted into
>applause. The men were a bit taken by surprise by the
>340 people cheering for them as they searched for
>their seats. They were having their hands shook and
>touched by almost everyone who was within an arm's
>distance of them as they passed down the aisle. One
>elderly woman kissed the hand of one of the Marines as
>he passed by her. The applause, whistles and cheering
>didn't stop for a long time.
>
>
>When we were finally airborne, "I" was not the only
>civilian checking his conscience as to the delays in
>"me" getting home, finding my easy chair, a cold
>beverage and the remote in my hand.
>
>
>These men had done for all of us and I had been
>complaining silently about "me" and "my" issues. I
>took for granted the everyday freedoms I enjoy and the
>conveniences of the American way of life I took for
>granted while others paid the price for my ability to
>moan and complain about a few minutes delay to "me".
>Those Heroes were finally going home to their loved
>ones. I attempted to get my selfish outlook back in
>order and minutes before we landed I suggested to the
>attendant that she announce over the speaker a request
>for everyone to remain in their seats until our hero's
>were allowed to gather their things and be first off
>the plane. The cheers and applause continued until the
>last Marine stepped off and we all rose to go about
>our too often taken for granted everyday freedoms...I
>felt proud of them. I felt it an honor and a privilege
>to be among the first to welcome them home and say
>Thank You for a job well done.
>
>
>I vowed that I will never forget that flight nor the
>lesson learned. I can't say it enough, THANK YOU to
>those Veterans and active servicemen and women who may
>read this and a prayer for those who cannot because
>they are no longer with us.
>
>
>WELCOME HOME! THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!
>
>Author Unknown
>

[mdoddsjffhnfc]

Very nice letter. I enjoyed reading it

Lets not forget our troops that are serving anywhere overseas. They serve so that we can have what we have today. I am proud to call myself an American, and i'm proud of the people who protect our country.

Don't worry boys, you'll be comming home soon.

[WannabeintheFD]

thats well put

[Quigger]

very well said

[zippo99]

Maybe there are not my troops, but they are my brothers in arms.




The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either.



He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm howitzer. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.

He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.




He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime.



He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed. He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.




He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood. And now we even have woman over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so. As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot.. A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.



Prayer wheel for our military... please don't break it. Please send this on after a short prayer.

Prayer Wheel

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen."

[FireCapt1951retired]

I'm so elated to see the citizens of this country finally giving the military the credit and admiration due them. You can't believe the inner feelings that were probably going on inside these SOLDIERS minds and body. There are so many emotions inside when returning home from something that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. They can hold their heads high, knowing what they did was righteous and courageous. To all those in the military. I give you a salute from a veteren who has been there. Stand tall and proud for it is well deserved.

With love, respect and gratitude from a former member of the 25th Infantry Div. 1st Batt. 52nd Recon Platoon, RVN 1970-1972.