Show your Support for the Soldiers

A Support the Troops rally held in Milwaukee, WI - Saturday March 22nd.

My family along with my mother, stepfather, sister (also an Army veteran from the time during the first Persian Gulf War) and brother-in-law attended this rally on Saturday. It was great seeing everyone out there in support of the troops.

With our 3 kids all waving flags and being so cute , we had quite a few people taking pictures. We were even asked by a camera man from the local FOX channel if we would mind being filmed. We talked a bit and finally I said sure. However, once he turned on that camera I felt like my IQ had just dropped in half . I fumbled around -- all the reasons for us coming down that I had mentioned to the camera guy before he turned on the camera totally went out of my mind. How embarrasing that was.

Finally coherent sentences came out and we talked for a bit on camera. He sat there and filmed me with the kids for awhile, telling us to pretend he's not there -- yeah right. I guess we did alright because I had people telling me that they saw us on TV. I missed both newscasts that we were supposedly on. It's too bad -- my 15 seconds of fame and I didn't even get to see myself.

Which brings me to the purpose of this message...

After having time to think about what I could have said, some things came to mind which I wished I would have said. It's too late for the news, but I thought I would share it here.

Something we had talked about was if the kids were aware of what's going on, what their reaction to all of this was, etc.

I said that I've had the news on quite a bit and I've let them watch parts of it. They have a lot of questions which my wife and I try our best to explain. Some people would argue that kids shouldn't see any of this stuff, in fact some would argue the extreme and say we should shield them from all of this.

I disagree. My opinion is that my kids need to see some of what's going on. They need to understand what's going on over there. First of all, this is history. They're living during major events and I would like them to see it for themselves and not "learn" about this years later from a history book. Yes, they may not understand everything, but I'm going to do my best to explain it to them.

I like talking to my kids and discussing with them about the children in places like Afghanistan and their experiences. It gives them a better appreciation for the freedom's they enjoy. When I told my daughter that some of the girls over in Afghanistan couldn't even go to school without getting in trouble, she was astounded. She asked me if that was real and I told her yes. I want to make sure that my kids understand how well they have it in America, understand the freedoms they have and not to take it for granted.

Also as a veteran I want them to know what our troops are doing in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. To grow up with a respect for our troops and an appreciation for what they do and the sacrifices they make. I want them to be proud of our troops. If I as a veteran don't teach them this, who else is going to? If they ever do make the decision to serve their country, great. If they don't, that's fine too, but I want them to grow up with respect for those who serve (past and present), respect for the flag, the country they live in, and for the freedoms that others have given their lives for.

--Dave

Amen Bayonetrecon, AMEN!!!!
Lee

Prayer for Soldiers
God, hold our American troops in your loving hands, protect them as they protect us. Bless our soldiers and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
Amen

http://www.hagmayer.com/PrayerAmericanSoldier.html

Check that... One has to remember , any Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine only serve the politicians over them. They only say, "Yes sir" and do their jobs...

Found this page this morning. Not sure how/when they'll receive it, but it's just another way to get our support and thanks to the troops.

Send Your Thanks to the US Military
http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html

I also searched for a similiar thing for Australia and the UK and found these two sites which are official sites.

Messages to the Troops - Australia
http://www.defence.gov.au/

Messages to the Troops - British Forces
https://www.superletter.com/bfpo/bulletinboard.cfm

Please keep in mind this thread isn't limited to only the US -- remember there are troops from Britain, Australia, Poland and other countries over there. Whether or not you agree on the war, these people are doing their job -- let's support them.

PLEASE -- if you don't agree with the war, don't send messages of protest to these people. They volunteered to serve their country, they have a duty to perform and they don't make the decisions of where/when to go to war. Save the politics for the politicians.

I wish all who go a safe deployment and a speedy return home! For those in the Air Force B-52 and intel communities, I'm with ya in spirit even though I can't be with ya for this one...

Regards,

Pat, USAF Retired

Fair seas and following winds shipmates.

GSE3

To my military police brothers and sisters, to my brothers and sisters in arms I never met, to all who are on the line tonight.
I'm thinking of you and wish you well
Come home soon, come home safe and well.

Steve
5th MP
218th MP
1982-1986

As a retired Amry NCO, I know what the grunts in the desert are going through, since I was there for the last one (and others before that). All the troops want is to know that they are remembered....not much to ask, really. That they are appreciated makes it a better deal: they just don't want to be forgotten or treated with disrespect that they didn't earn. Pray for all of them, and for their families. Sine Patri! -Ed CSM SF, ABN, Ranger

As a comrade from another NATO - State i will say :
God bless all my comrades and bring them all safe back to their families.

T. Gernhuber , HFw , German Army

We wish them all of the luck and a safe return.

Jerry

Pray for troops? No problem! My dad's a Commander in the Navy!
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!! PROTECT OUR FREEDOM AND DO YOUR DUTY! HOO-WAH!!!!!!