(SORRY FOLKS MYSPACE CHOSE THE YOUNG SET.... AND WAYS - BUT OUR HEARTS ARE STRONG AND WE R STILL WITH US EACH AND ALL... then, now, always... old momma Nova)
A
SIMPLE DECK OF CARDS
This
is a story about a soldier in the North Africa Campaign in World War II. After
heavy fighting, the man returned to camp. The next day being Sunday, the
Chaplain had set up church service. The men were asked to take out their Bibles
or Prayer Books.
The Chaplain noticed one soldier looking at a deck of cards. After service, he was taken by the Chaplain to see the Major. The Chaplain explained to the Major what he had seen. The Major told the young soldier he would have to be punished if he could not explain himself.
The young soldier told the Major that during the battle, he had neither a Bible or a Prayer Book so he would use his deck of cards and explained: "You see, Sir, when I look at the ACE, it tells me that there is one GOD and no other.
When I see the "2", it reminds me that there are two parts the Bible, the OLD TESTAMENT and the NEW TESTAMENT.
The "3" tells me of the TRINITY OF GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON and GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
The "4" reminds me of the FOUR GOSPELS, MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE and JOHN.
When I see the "5", it tells me of the FIVE UNWISE VIRGINS who were lost and that five were saved.
The "6" makes me mindful that GOD CREATED THE EARTH IN JUST SIX DAYS, and GOD said that it was good.
When I see the "7", it reminds me that GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY.
As I look at the "8", it reminds me that GOD DESTROYED ALL LIFE BY WATER EXCEPT FOR EIGHT PEOPLE, Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their three son's wives.
When I see the 9", I think of the NINE LEPERS that GOD healed. There were ten lepers in all, but only one stopped to thank him.
The "10" reminds me of the TEN COMMANDMENTS carved in stone by the hand of GOD.
The "JACK" makes me remember the Prince of Darkness. Like a roaring lion, he devours those that he can.
When I look at the "QUEEN", I see the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS.
As I look at the last card, "THE KING", it reminds me that JESUS IS LORD OF LORDS and KING OF KINGS!
There are 365 spots on a deck of cards, and that is the number of days in each year. There are 52 cards to a deck and that is the number of weeks in a year. There are 12 picture cards and that is the number of months in a year.
There are 4 different suits in a deck and that is the number of seasons in a year...And so, the young soldier then said to the Major,
"You see, Sir, that my intentions were honorable. My deck of cards serves as my BIBLE, my PRAYER BOOK and my ALMANAC."
A deck of cards should most importantly remind us that we need JESUS 365 days, 52 weeks and 12 months a year and that we should always PRAY "4" others.
The Chaplain noticed one soldier looking at a deck of cards. After service, he was taken by the Chaplain to see the Major. The Chaplain explained to the Major what he had seen. The Major told the young soldier he would have to be punished if he could not explain himself.
The young soldier told the Major that during the battle, he had neither a Bible or a Prayer Book so he would use his deck of cards and explained: "You see, Sir, when I look at the ACE, it tells me that there is one GOD and no other.
When I see the "2", it reminds me that there are two parts the Bible, the OLD TESTAMENT and the NEW TESTAMENT.
The "3" tells me of the TRINITY OF GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON and GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
The "4" reminds me of the FOUR GOSPELS, MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE and JOHN.
When I see the "5", it tells me of the FIVE UNWISE VIRGINS who were lost and that five were saved.
The "6" makes me mindful that GOD CREATED THE EARTH IN JUST SIX DAYS, and GOD said that it was good.
When I see the "7", it reminds me that GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY.
As I look at the "8", it reminds me that GOD DESTROYED ALL LIFE BY WATER EXCEPT FOR EIGHT PEOPLE, Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their three son's wives.
When I see the 9", I think of the NINE LEPERS that GOD healed. There were ten lepers in all, but only one stopped to thank him.
The "10" reminds me of the TEN COMMANDMENTS carved in stone by the hand of GOD.
The "JACK" makes me remember the Prince of Darkness. Like a roaring lion, he devours those that he can.
When I look at the "QUEEN", I see the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS.
As I look at the last card, "THE KING", it reminds me that JESUS IS LORD OF LORDS and KING OF KINGS!
There are 365 spots on a deck of cards, and that is the number of days in each year. There are 52 cards to a deck and that is the number of weeks in a year. There are 12 picture cards and that is the number of months in a year.
There are 4 different suits in a deck and that is the number of seasons in a year...And so, the young soldier then said to the Major,
"You see, Sir, that my intentions were honorable. My deck of cards serves as my BIBLE, my PRAYER BOOK and my ALMANAC."
A deck of cards should most importantly remind us that we need JESUS 365 days, 52 weeks and 12 months a year and that we should always PRAY "4" others.
May you never look at a deck of cards the same way
-------
CHRIS
MASON- AMERICAN, CHRISTIAN, HERO- ONE OF GOD'S ANGELS
A
Christian, A Soldier, A Hero, One Of God's Angels. HERE ON THIS BATTLEFIELD-
CHRIS MASON WE REMEMBER- WE LOVE YOU
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=15026745
JOE
MONTO.... you do Chris Honor. God Bless You... Here On This Battlefield is a
beautiful tribute to Chris. I just cannot stop crying.
CORPORAL
CHRIS MASON KIA- NOV. 28, 2006
Iraq is a dirty, nasty, dark place.
a lot of death,
a lot of violence.
not a lot of hope
if you choose to look at it that way.
Martin Luther said about the Cross
one time that if you were
to stand at the foot of the Cross
two thousand years ago
you would've smelt the death.
you would've seen the hate.
you would've seen the darkness.
you would've felt the fear.
and you would've ask yourself,
Where is God at?
God is no were to be found...
but if you would've looked up
GOD WAS ON THE CROSS..."
Iraq is a dirty, nasty, dark place.
a lot of death,
a lot of violence.
not a lot of hope
if you choose to look at it that way.
Martin Luther said about the Cross
one time that if you were
to stand at the foot of the Cross
two thousand years ago
you would've smelt the death.
you would've seen the hate.
you would've seen the darkness.
you would've felt the fear.
and you would've ask yourself,
Where is God at?
God is no were to be found...
but if you would've looked up
GOD WAS ON THE CROSS..."
Chris said, "I'll be there for you
and if it comes down to it
I'll give my life to keep you safe."
The Web Site honoring Cpl. Chris Mason is truly one of the greatest I have ever seen... and I am so moved.. each and every time I visit. We love you Chris... and we remember, and Rachael.
CHRIS: ..WE CHOOSE TO BELIEVE THE PATCH WE WEAR ON OUR RIGHT SHOULDER STANDS FOR SOMETHING THAT'S GREATER THAN OURSELVES, GREATER THAN WHERE WE..RE FROM AND WE..RE THE FABRIC THAT HOLDS THE FLAG TOGETHER....
********This
is the myspace page built by Chris's family and friends and one of the most
beautiful sites of Honor I have ever had the privilege to belong to:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=75831388
***********
INTERNATIONAL
TROOP SUPPORT SITE-
FROM
THE INTERNATIONAL WEB SITE FOR ALL MEN AND WOMEN SERVING ABROAD AND ON OUR
HOMELANDS....
IN
HONOUR OF ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING ABROAD AND ON OUR HOMELANDS - JESUS
SACRIFICED AND WAS CRUCIFIED ON THE CROSS FOR ALL OUR SINS - OUR MEN AND WOMEN
WEARING THEIR MILITARY UNIFORM AND THEIR BOOTS - SACRIFICE ALL AND IF NEED BE
DIE FOR EACH ONE OF US - SO WE MAY REMAIN FREE AND OUR FLAGS FLY PROUDLY FOR
OUR FREE WORLD. (my personal view)
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=150769482
PLEASE
NOTE:
Support
our Troops Myspace has 1 BILLION FRIENDS-----
IF
I DIE BEFORE I WAKE- PERFORMED BY DUSTIN EVANS (Who serves)
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=XS1A56y0Zfw
QUOTE
FROM U TUBE FOR ALL MILITARY SERVING...
In
Honor of ALL our Service Men and Women. Thank You! ... Military ...
******************************************
In
Canada we have SUPPORTING OUR CANADIAN FORCES MY SPACE-
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=125666483
Many
of our brothers and sisters of the United States of America belong AND ARE VERY
PROMINENT ON THIS MYSPACE PAGE- and as
you can see by LIST OF their favorite
friends there are many- We stand together united- We Remember.
And
much of the site is dedicated to both Canda and our United States of America:
THEIR
BLOG:- CANADIANS HONORING OUR FALLEN HEROES... if you have a moment take a look
at the pictures of the journey of respect ....
This blogs is
on one of the the 100 mile
procession from Toronto to our Forensics United in Trenton- and the thousands
and thousands who come out each and every time to honor a lot hero on the field
of battle in Afghanistan. The pictures
speak for themselves of the thousands of Canadians who come out each time we
lose one of Canada's own.
IN
CLOSING...
I
wrote a small blog on myspace from their blog: Canadians honoring falling
soldiers... the pictures of the thousands and thousands standing along the
roadsides in respect and honor of each and every Canadian Serviceman lost .....
moved me to tears and wanted to share so that you know that ALL our men and
women serving mean the world to us- when we lose and American Soldier- millions
of us cry, light candles and pray all across the land; the same for the UK and
all the Coalitions.
This
is on myspace and not nearly as beautiful as the one above:
Supporting our Canadian Troops
Canadians voted across the land recently for what they were most proud of- Our Military came in as No. 1. Our media and coverage of our Military is always high on our list. The Blog- Canadians Honoring Our Fallen Heroes- has pictures of the thousands that come out each and every time.
We
recived a a note from living Mark who lives in Ontario:
Last month I was driving home from Kingston, on the 401, and just West of Trenton, traffic slowed slightly and I realized I had inadvertently ended up just behind a procession of hearses and limos, carrying two more dead Canadian soldiers,(and their families) killed in Afganistan, from CFB Trenton to the Centre for Forensic Sciences in Toronto. Afterwards I mentioned it to several friends of mine that is was the most awe-inspiring and thought provoking and quiet trip that I have ever taken down the 401, or anywhere for that matter. That night , I was extremely proud to be a Canadian. After I told some people about my experience, one of my friends sent me the attached pictures. Except for the fact the attached were taken in daylight and during the summer, and what I saw last month was after dark, and in the dead of winter, they could be identical to what I experienced. I will never forget that night. Thousands of people came out to show their support, respect, and gratitude.I thought they were well worth forwarding on to you.
The other amazing thing was that not once during the 100 mile trek (about an hour an half) not one single car passed the funeral procession.A final tribute to our fallen heroes! Pray for our troops... Mark
-------
Last month I was driving home from Kingston, on the 401, and just West of Trenton, traffic slowed slightly and I realized I had inadvertently ended up just behind a procession of hearses and limos, carrying two more dead Canadian soldiers,(and their families) killed in Afganistan, from CFB Trenton to the Centre for Forensic Sciences in Toronto. Afterwards I mentioned it to several friends of mine that is was the most awe-inspiring and thought provoking and quiet trip that I have ever taken down the 401, or anywhere for that matter. That night , I was extremely proud to be a Canadian. After I told some people about my experience, one of my friends sent me the attached pictures. Except for the fact the attached were taken in daylight and during the summer, and what I saw last month was after dark, and in the dead of winter, they could be identical to what I experienced. I will never forget that night. Thousands of people came out to show their support, respect, and gratitude.I thought they were well worth forwarding on to you.
The other amazing thing was that not once during the 100 mile trek (about an hour an half) not one single car passed the funeral procession.A final tribute to our fallen heroes! Pray for our troops... Mark
-------
|
Murphy's Laws Of Combat Operations
|
|
|
Friendly
fire - isn't.
Recoilless rifles - aren't.
Suppressive fires - won't.
You are not Superman; Marines and fighter pilots take note.
A sucking chest wound is Nature's way of telling you to slow down.
If it's stupid but it works, it isn't stupid.
Try to look unimportant; the enemy may be low on ammo and not want to waste a bullet on you.
If at first you don't succeed, call in an airstrike.
The enemy attacks on two ocasions: when he's ready and when your not
If you are forward of your position, your artillery will fall short
All 5 second grenade fuses burn down in 3 seconds
Never share a foxhole with anyone braver than yourself.
Never go to bed with anyone crazier than yourself.
When your attack is going really well, its an ambush
Never forget that your weapon was made by the lowest bidder.
If your attack is going really well, it's an ambush.
The enemy diversion you're ignoring is their main attack.
The enemy invariably attacks on two occasions: when they're ready. & when you're not.
No OPLAN ever survives initial contact.
There is no such thing as a perfect plan.
Five second fuzes always burn three seconds.
There is no such thing as an atheist in a foxhole.
A retreating enemy is probably just falling back and regrouping.
The important things are always simple; the simple are always hard.
The easy way is always mined.
Teamwork is essential; it gives the enemy other people to shoot at.
Don't look conspicuous; it draws fire. For this reason, it is not at all uncommon for aircraft carriers to be known as bomb magnets.
Never draw fire; it irritates everyone around you.
If you are short of everything but the enemy, you are in the combat zone.
When you have secured the area, make sure the enemy knows it too.
Incoming fire has the right of way.
No combat ready unit has ever passed inspection.
No inspection ready unit has ever passed combat.
If the enemy is within range, so are you.
The only thing more accurate than incoming enemy fire is incoming friendly fire.
Things which must be shipped together as a set, aren't.
Things that must work together, can't be carried to the field that way.
Radios will fail as soon as you need fire support.
Radar tends to fail at night and in bad weather, and especially during both.
Anything you do can get you killed, including nothing.
Make it too tough for the enemy to get in, and you won't be able to get out.
Tracers work both ways.
If you take more than your fair share of objectives, you will get more than your fair share of objectives to take.
When both sides are convinced they're about to lose, they're both right.
Professional soldiers are predictable; the world is full of dangerous amateurs.
Military Intelligence is a contradiction.
Fortify your front; you'll get your rear shot up.
Weather ain't neutral.
If you can't remember, the Claymore is pointed towards you.
Air defense motto: shoot 'em down; sort 'em out on the ground.
'Flies high, it dies; low and slow, it'll go.
The Cavalry doesn't always come to the rescue.
Napalm is an area support weapon.
Mines are equal opportunity weapons.
B-52s are the ultimate close support weapon.
Sniper's motto: reach out and touch someone.
Killing for peace is like screwing for virginity.
The one item you need is always in short supply.
Interchangeable parts aren't.
It's not the one with your name on it; it's the one addressed "to whom it may concern" you've got to think about.
When in doubt, empty your magazine.
The side with the simplest uniforms wins.
Combat will occur on the ground between two adjoining maps.
If you can keep your head while those around you are losing theirs, you may have misjudged the situation.
If two things are required to make something work, they will never be shipped together.
Anything you do can get you shot, including nothing.
Whenever you lose contact with the enemy, look behind you.
The most dangerous thing in the combat zone is an officer with a map.
The quartermaster has only two sizes, too large and too small.
If you really need an officer in a hurry, take a nap.
There is nothing more satisfying than having someone take a shot at you, and miss.
If your sergeant can see you, so can the enemy.
You'll only remember your hand grenades when the sound is too close to use them.
Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
Well .. It could be worse: It could be raining .. and we could be out in it.
So he said, "Cheer up: it could be worse!" So we cheered up. And it got worse.
The side with the simplest uniform wins...
The spare batteries for the PRC-whatever your troops have been carrying are either nearly dead or for the wrong radio.
The ping you heard was the antenna snapping off at 6 inches above the flexmount, while a fire mission was being called in on a battalion of hostiles who know your position.
Why is it the CO sticks his head in your radio hooch to see if anything has come down from DIV when you are listening to the VOA broadcasting the baseball games?
How come you are on one frequency when everyone else is on another?
Why does your 500-watt VRC-26 (real old) not make it across 200 miles while a ham with 50 watts on the same MARS frequency can be heard from Stateside?
Know why short RTOs have long whips on their radios? So someone can find them when they step in deep water.
The enemy "Alway's" times his attack, to the second you drop your pant's in the Latrine!!
The ammo you new "NOW"!! is on the "Next" airdrop!!
The enemy inevitably attacks on two occasions: when they're ready and when you're not.
Field experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
If your ambush is properly set the enemy won't walk into it.
The only time you have too much fuel loaded is when your aircraft is on fire.
Recoilless rifles - aren't.
Suppressive fires - won't.
You are not Superman; Marines and fighter pilots take note.
A sucking chest wound is Nature's way of telling you to slow down.
If it's stupid but it works, it isn't stupid.
Try to look unimportant; the enemy may be low on ammo and not want to waste a bullet on you.
If at first you don't succeed, call in an airstrike.
The enemy attacks on two ocasions: when he's ready and when your not
If you are forward of your position, your artillery will fall short
All 5 second grenade fuses burn down in 3 seconds
Never share a foxhole with anyone braver than yourself.
Never go to bed with anyone crazier than yourself.
When your attack is going really well, its an ambush
Never forget that your weapon was made by the lowest bidder.
If your attack is going really well, it's an ambush.
The enemy diversion you're ignoring is their main attack.
The enemy invariably attacks on two occasions: when they're ready. & when you're not.
No OPLAN ever survives initial contact.
There is no such thing as a perfect plan.
Five second fuzes always burn three seconds.
There is no such thing as an atheist in a foxhole.
A retreating enemy is probably just falling back and regrouping.
The important things are always simple; the simple are always hard.
The easy way is always mined.
Teamwork is essential; it gives the enemy other people to shoot at.
Don't look conspicuous; it draws fire. For this reason, it is not at all uncommon for aircraft carriers to be known as bomb magnets.
Never draw fire; it irritates everyone around you.
If you are short of everything but the enemy, you are in the combat zone.
When you have secured the area, make sure the enemy knows it too.
Incoming fire has the right of way.
No combat ready unit has ever passed inspection.
No inspection ready unit has ever passed combat.
If the enemy is within range, so are you.
The only thing more accurate than incoming enemy fire is incoming friendly fire.
Things which must be shipped together as a set, aren't.
Things that must work together, can't be carried to the field that way.
Radios will fail as soon as you need fire support.
Radar tends to fail at night and in bad weather, and especially during both.
Anything you do can get you killed, including nothing.
Make it too tough for the enemy to get in, and you won't be able to get out.
Tracers work both ways.
If you take more than your fair share of objectives, you will get more than your fair share of objectives to take.
When both sides are convinced they're about to lose, they're both right.
Professional soldiers are predictable; the world is full of dangerous amateurs.
Military Intelligence is a contradiction.
Fortify your front; you'll get your rear shot up.
Weather ain't neutral.
If you can't remember, the Claymore is pointed towards you.
Air defense motto: shoot 'em down; sort 'em out on the ground.
'Flies high, it dies; low and slow, it'll go.
The Cavalry doesn't always come to the rescue.
Napalm is an area support weapon.
Mines are equal opportunity weapons.
B-52s are the ultimate close support weapon.
Sniper's motto: reach out and touch someone.
Killing for peace is like screwing for virginity.
The one item you need is always in short supply.
Interchangeable parts aren't.
It's not the one with your name on it; it's the one addressed "to whom it may concern" you've got to think about.
When in doubt, empty your magazine.
The side with the simplest uniforms wins.
Combat will occur on the ground between two adjoining maps.
If you can keep your head while those around you are losing theirs, you may have misjudged the situation.
If two things are required to make something work, they will never be shipped together.
Anything you do can get you shot, including nothing.
Whenever you lose contact with the enemy, look behind you.
The most dangerous thing in the combat zone is an officer with a map.
The quartermaster has only two sizes, too large and too small.
If you really need an officer in a hurry, take a nap.
There is nothing more satisfying than having someone take a shot at you, and miss.
If your sergeant can see you, so can the enemy.
You'll only remember your hand grenades when the sound is too close to use them.
Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
Well .. It could be worse: It could be raining .. and we could be out in it.
So he said, "Cheer up: it could be worse!" So we cheered up. And it got worse.
The side with the simplest uniform wins...
The spare batteries for the PRC-whatever your troops have been carrying are either nearly dead or for the wrong radio.
The ping you heard was the antenna snapping off at 6 inches above the flexmount, while a fire mission was being called in on a battalion of hostiles who know your position.
Why is it the CO sticks his head in your radio hooch to see if anything has come down from DIV when you are listening to the VOA broadcasting the baseball games?
How come you are on one frequency when everyone else is on another?
Why does your 500-watt VRC-26 (real old) not make it across 200 miles while a ham with 50 watts on the same MARS frequency can be heard from Stateside?
Know why short RTOs have long whips on their radios? So someone can find them when they step in deep water.
The enemy "Alway's" times his attack, to the second you drop your pant's in the Latrine!!
The ammo you new "NOW"!! is on the "Next" airdrop!!
The enemy inevitably attacks on two occasions: when they're ready and when you're not.
Field experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
If your ambush is properly set the enemy won't walk into it.
The only time you have too much fuel loaded is when your aircraft is on fire.
Phillip's
Law:
Four-wheel-drive just means getting stuck in more inaccessible places.
Weatherwax's Postulate:
The degree to which you overreact to information will be in inverse proportion to its accuracy.
Least Credible Sentences:
1. The check is in the mail.
2. The trucks will be on the drop zone.
3. Of course I'll respect you in the morning.
4. I'm from the government and I'm here to help you.
Brintnall's Second Law:
If you receive two contradictory orders, obey them both.
Pavlu's Rules for Economy in Decision Papers:
1. Refute the last established recommendation.
2. Add yours.
3. Pass the paper on.
Oliver's Law:
Experience is something you don't get until after you need it.
Lackland's Laws:
1. Never be first.
2. Never be last.
3. Never volunteer for anything.
Napier's Corollary
If all else fails hide.
Rune's Rule:
If you don't care where you are, you ain't lost.
Law of Supply (also known as the Law of Gifts):
You get the most of what you need the least.
Hane's Law:
There is no limit to how bad things can get.
Four-wheel-drive just means getting stuck in more inaccessible places.
Weatherwax's Postulate:
The degree to which you overreact to information will be in inverse proportion to its accuracy.
Least Credible Sentences:
1. The check is in the mail.
2. The trucks will be on the drop zone.
3. Of course I'll respect you in the morning.
4. I'm from the government and I'm here to help you.
Brintnall's Second Law:
If you receive two contradictory orders, obey them both.
Pavlu's Rules for Economy in Decision Papers:
1. Refute the last established recommendation.
2. Add yours.
3. Pass the paper on.
Oliver's Law:
Experience is something you don't get until after you need it.
Lackland's Laws:
1. Never be first.
2. Never be last.
3. Never volunteer for anything.
Napier's Corollary
If all else fails hide.
Rune's Rule:
If you don't care where you are, you ain't lost.
Law of Supply (also known as the Law of Gifts):
You get the most of what you need the least.
Hane's Law:
There is no limit to how bad things can get.
---------------------------
Military
Families
by
K McNeil
Though
we have never met,I feel your pain
I pray for you and weep for the slain.
Military families are one of a kind,
Staying brave with the worst on our minds
We lend our loved to defend those who can not defend themselves
All we have for right now are the pictures on our shelves.
I have so much pride sometimes it hurts,
Especially to be protested by those who walk on freedom’s dirt.
We will stay strong and always prevail
Because we stand for freedom and always will.
So, know that while miles away
You have a friend in me anyday.
My prayers are with the soldiers and their hearts left behind
Military families are one of a kind.
I pray for you and weep for the slain.
Military families are one of a kind,
Staying brave with the worst on our minds
We lend our loved to defend those who can not defend themselves
All we have for right now are the pictures on our shelves.
I have so much pride sometimes it hurts,
Especially to be protested by those who walk on freedom’s dirt.
We will stay strong and always prevail
Because we stand for freedom and always will.
So, know that while miles away
You have a friend in me anyday.
My prayers are with the soldiers and their hearts left behind
Military families are one of a kind.
THE
ARMY WIFE
The good Lord was creating a model for
military spouses and was into his sixth day of over-time when an angel
appeared. She said, Lord, you seem to be having a lot of trouble with this one.
What’s wrong with the standard model?
The Lord replied, Have you seen the specs
on this order? They need to be completely independent, possess the qualities of
both father and mother, be a perfect host/hostess to four or 40 with an hour’s
notice, run on black coffee, handle every emergency imaginable without a
manual, be able to carry on cheerfully, even if they are pregnant and have the
flu; and they must be willing to move to a new location 10 times in 17 years.
And, oh yes, they must have six pairs of hands.
The angel shook her head. Six pairs of
hands? No way.
The Lord continued, Don’t worry, we will
make other military spouses to help them. And we will give them an unusually
strong heart so it can swell with pride in their spouse’s achievements, sustain
the pain of separations, beat soundly when it is over-worked and tired, and be
large enough to say, 'I don’t understand', when they don’t, and say, 'I love
you' , regardless.
Lord, said the angel, touching his arm
gently, Go to bed and get some rest. You can finish this tomorrow.
I can’t stop now, said the Lord. I am so
close to creating something unique. Already this model heals themselves when
they are sick, can put up six unexpected guests for the weekend, wave good-bye
to their spouses from a pier, a runway or a depot, and understand why it’s
important that they leave.
The angel circled the model for military
spouses, looked at it closely and sighed, It looks fine, but it’s too soft.
they might look soft, replied the Lord,
but they have the strength of a lion. You would not believe what they can
endure.
Finally, the angel bent over and ran a
finger across the cheek of the Lord’s creation. There’s a leak, she announced.
Something is wrong with the construction. I am not surprised that it has
cracked. You are trying to put too much into this model.
The Lord appeared offended at the angel’s
lack of confidence. What you see is not a leak, he said. It’s a tear.
A tear? What is it there for? asked the
angel.
The Lord replied, It’s for joy, sadness,
pain, disappointment, loneliness, pride, and a dedication to all the values
that they and their spouses hold dear.
You are a genius! exclaimed the angel.
The Lord looked puzzled and replied, I
didn’t put it there.
Author Unknown
I
am the Mother of an American Soldier
Author
Unknown
You
see me every day going about life as usual - or so it appears. I
rub shoulders with you at work. I shop at Wal-Mart and the grocery store.
I fill my car at the corner gas station. You might see me anywhere.
Don't be deceived: My life has not been "normal" for months. I am the
mother of an American soldier.
Although I continue the routines of life, I do so with a burdened
heart and distracted mind. There are some tell-tale signs of who I
am.
I'm the one with the frayed yellow ribbon pinned on my clothing. It
was fresh and new when my son first deployed months ago. Even though
the war is supposedly over, my son is in a place where bullets and
grenades are still killing our soldiers. I am determined to wear my
ribbon until he comes home, because it reminds me to pray for him
every minute. When you see me wearing that ribbon, please stop and
whisper a prayer for him and all the others still there.
My house is the one with the faded yellow ribbons the tree in the
yard and one on the mail post. There is an American flag on a pole
attached to the front porch, and a small red-and-white banner with a
blue star in the middle in my window. When my son gave this to me
before he left, I told him that I never wanted to cover the blue star
with a gold one. Gold Star Mothers are the ones whose sons come home
in body bags.
When you drive by a house of this description, please pray for the
son or daughter overseas and for the parents waiting inside for their
child to come home.
To those of you who have posted yellow ribbons at your house or in
the windows of your schools, thank you. It warms my heart every time
I see your expressions of support for our troops.
One of the hardest things about being the mother of an American
soldier is living 1,500 miles (how bout 2600 miles!) away from the
post of my son's unit. Wives usually live on or near the fort, where
they can glean support from others in the same situation. But a
mother may live across the nation, so she feels totally alone.
Letters rarely make their way home, and if they do, it is weeks after
they were written. We go more than a month without hearing anything;
then we might get a short phone call. E-mail is out of the question
most of the time.
Every week is like a rollercoaster ride that I want to get off. When
I read a soldier has been killed and his name has not been released
pending notification of kin, restlessness, depression and insomnia
rule my life until 24 hours have passed and the men in dress uniforms
have not appeared at my door. I pray constantly they will never come.
When you hold your baby close, remember we mothers of American
soldiers held our babies, too. Now our "babies" are putting
themselves in harm's way for your babies.
And if you see a woman at the store buying tuna and crackers, beef
jerky, powdered Gatorade, baby wipes and potted meat, check to see if
she is wearing a yellow ribbon. If so, stop and pray for her. She is
probably the mother of an American soldier, getting ready to send her
child another "care package." You may see tears in her eyes or dark circles under them.
I am there among you, trying to carry on some semblance of a normal
life. Like so many others,
I am the mother of an American soldier.
rub shoulders with you at work. I shop at Wal-Mart and the grocery store.
I fill my car at the corner gas station. You might see me anywhere.
Don't be deceived: My life has not been "normal" for months. I am the
mother of an American soldier.
Although I continue the routines of life, I do so with a burdened
heart and distracted mind. There are some tell-tale signs of who I
am.
I'm the one with the frayed yellow ribbon pinned on my clothing. It
was fresh and new when my son first deployed months ago. Even though
the war is supposedly over, my son is in a place where bullets and
grenades are still killing our soldiers. I am determined to wear my
ribbon until he comes home, because it reminds me to pray for him
every minute. When you see me wearing that ribbon, please stop and
whisper a prayer for him and all the others still there.
My house is the one with the faded yellow ribbons the tree in the
yard and one on the mail post. There is an American flag on a pole
attached to the front porch, and a small red-and-white banner with a
blue star in the middle in my window. When my son gave this to me
before he left, I told him that I never wanted to cover the blue star
with a gold one. Gold Star Mothers are the ones whose sons come home
in body bags.
When you drive by a house of this description, please pray for the
son or daughter overseas and for the parents waiting inside for their
child to come home.
To those of you who have posted yellow ribbons at your house or in
the windows of your schools, thank you. It warms my heart every time
I see your expressions of support for our troops.
One of the hardest things about being the mother of an American
soldier is living 1,500 miles (how bout 2600 miles!) away from the
post of my son's unit. Wives usually live on or near the fort, where
they can glean support from others in the same situation. But a
mother may live across the nation, so she feels totally alone.
Letters rarely make their way home, and if they do, it is weeks after
they were written. We go more than a month without hearing anything;
then we might get a short phone call. E-mail is out of the question
most of the time.
Every week is like a rollercoaster ride that I want to get off. When
I read a soldier has been killed and his name has not been released
pending notification of kin, restlessness, depression and insomnia
rule my life until 24 hours have passed and the men in dress uniforms
have not appeared at my door. I pray constantly they will never come.
When you hold your baby close, remember we mothers of American
soldiers held our babies, too. Now our "babies" are putting
themselves in harm's way for your babies.
And if you see a woman at the store buying tuna and crackers, beef
jerky, powdered Gatorade, baby wipes and potted meat, check to see if
she is wearing a yellow ribbon. If so, stop and pray for her. She is
probably the mother of an American soldier, getting ready to send her
child another "care package." You may see tears in her eyes or dark circles under them.
I am there among you, trying to carry on some semblance of a normal
life. Like so many others,
I am the mother of an American soldier.
You
Know You have been in Iraq too long when. ...
·
When
mortars land near your compound and you roll over in bed and think "still
way off, I got another 5 minutes"
·
When
you start humming with the Arabic song playing on the radio on the shuttle bus
·
Every
woman that reports to your unit starts looking attractive
·
Every
guy that reports to your unit starts looking attractive
·
You
walk an extra 6 blocks to eat at the KBR (contractor run) dining facility to
have the exact same food they are serving in your dining facility because you
think it tastes better
·
You
actually volunteer for convoy security duty because you still haven't seen the
country yet
·
You
start picturing your wife in traditional Arab dress
·
The
contractors have more fire power than the military combat units. (This is true)
·
You
take the time to add your lines to this list
·
You've
spent $200 dollars at Haji mart on DVDs buying Basic Instinct, 9 and ½ weeks,
and Body of Evidence just for the sex scenes
·
You
drink the water from the tap because you want to drop 20 pounds in two weeks
·
Driving
around in SUVs with weapons pointed out the windows and forcing cars off the
road seems very normal to you
·
You
can put your body armor and helmet on in the dark in under 5 seconds
·
When
the organization you work for has changed its name more than 3 times
·
When
you can actually talk to people in the United States on a cell phone, yet you
can't get people on their cell phone a block away
·
When
you actually spend more time writing e-mail about the dog in the compound
versus how to conduct the fight in Najaf
·
Your
idea of a fun Thursday night is to go to the Palace pool to watch the State
Department folks get drunk, naked and try to pick each other up
·
When
you actually get excited to get a package that contains 3 pair of socks, 12
bars of soap and a Victoria Secret Catalog
·
When
you start to enjoy the rocking of the trailer every time the MEDEVAC choppers
fly over
·
You
memorized every episode from the 4th Season of Sex in the City
·
You
enjoy the audience commentary while watching a movie bought at Haji mart
·
You
see celebratory fire going over the compound at night and think, "wow the
colors are so pretty" and want to fire back
·
Your
thinking of buying real estate in the green zone
·
Your
idea of sex is 20 minutes of Instant Messaging with your wife on the computer,
OK, 10 minutes, who are you kidding?
·
You
wake up and think Baghdad, I am still in friggin Baghdad
·
You
make the new guy show you his count down timer just to make you feel better
about your time you have left in country
·
You're
in the Army and you start saying Ooorah
·
You're
in the Marines and you start saying Hooah
·
You're
in the Navy and you realize you are in the middle of the desert, the exact
opposite of being in the middle of the ocean, where one might normally find the
Navy.
·
You're
in the Air Force, and you're on the plane home because an Air Force tour is too
short to have been a long Iraq tour. Ignore this list, zoomie, you won't get
it.
·
You
only notice the stench of Haji funk when its not there
·
You
plan on removing all trees and grass in your yard when you get home so it will
look more natural
·
You
forget there are other colors than brown that can be found in places other than
power point slides
·
The
temp drops down to 102 degrees and you shiver while reaching for your Gortex
jacket
·
You
have noticed a change of season, from long, hot and dry to short, cold and wet.
·
When
you call home and your kids ask "Who is this?"
·
You
call home and your wife says hello Bill (your name is Sam)
·
When
you go on R&R, you duct tape your child to the roof of your car, hand him a
pellet rifle, and assign him a sector of fire for the ride to "The Olive
Garden."
·
When
you can comfortably shave and brush your teeth using bottled water, but don't
mind showering in the "non-potable" local water.
·
While
on R&R, you look out the window and find Nature, which leads you to wonder
who stole your sandbags.
·
When
some of the contractors wear their DCUs (Desert pattern camouflage uniform)
more properly than some of your soldiers.
·
When
12 hours is a short work day
·
You
go Battle Captains!
·
When,
During the BUA, "DIV asked MNSTC-I for the FRAGO that MNC-I was supposed
to publish, but couldn't because MNF-I hadn't weighed in, since they were too
inundated with MOD and MOI war-gaming the JCCs
within the ISF to square us away!" is a valid comment and generates no questions.
within the ISF to square us away!" is a valid comment and generates no questions.
·
When
you start using words like G'day mate, Cheers, and Bloody hell as part of your
normal vocabulary
·
When
you have your opinions printed in the STARS and STRIPES more than 3 times
·
When
the palace catches fire and instead of helping to put it out you grab a bag of
marshmallows and start roasting
·
When
you step into any office and there are 6 colonels, 12 lieutenant colonels, 15
majors, and 8 captains supervising the work of 1 sergeant
·
When
you end every phone conversation with "Out"
·
When
you're ordered to get an air mission together on short notice because it's a
"Hot priority" only to have the Major call back once he is in the air
to ask "Does anyone know where I am going?"
·
When
the weapon buyback program has become so successful that you have issued the
same AK-47 to the Iraqi army 3 times
·
When
you can actually tell the difference between the sound of an exploding car and
an exploding mortar
·
When
on R & R you tell your wife that your weapon status is Red and your looking
for the clearing barrel
·
When
on R&R you go to Church and wonder why no one is wearing body armor or
carrying an automatic weapon to the service
·
You
see an indirect fire attack take out a generator and get angry at the enemy for
not hitting the one that powers your computer
·
You
see an indirect fire attack take out an air conditioner and your vigor to fight
is renewed
·
You
yell at the FNG for shouting incoming when the rounds don't impact close enough
to hit your tent with dirt
·
You
know that you need to run inside immediately after any win of an Iraqi sports
team to keep from being hit by celebratory fire
·
You
decide for that for shits and grins - lets take a run around Lost Lake at Camp
Victory to see if we can get shot at by the sniper
·
You
never worry about oversleeping because if the morning call to prayers doesn't
wake you, the daily 0430 mortar attack will (most mornings)
·
The
highlight of your shopping experience at the PX is to see that they got in a
new shipment of Schick Tracer razor blades
·
When
you send out your laundry and your whites become grayer, your blacks become
grayer and your DCU's become grayer - makes it easier to sort loads...
·
You
get offended by people wearing clean, pressed DCU's
·
You
decide that it is a better course of action to pull your blankets over your
head than put on your body armor during a mortar attack - the woobee will save
you and at least you are comfortable
·
You
make a contest out of seeing who can wear their uniform for more days before
becoming entirely disgusted with themselves
·
You
wonder if the fish served at dinner really was carp caught out of the Tigris or
Camp Victory's lake
·
You
find it completely acceptable to pick your nose while talking to a complete
stranger or member of the opposite sex
·
A
rocket or a mortar really isn't a big deal until the crater it leaves is big
enough to trip over in the dark on the way to the latrine
·
You
go to a social gathering and intermittent gun fire or explosions don't even
cause a pause in the conversation
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOT
USED YET
How
to Prepare for a Deployment to Iraq
How to Prepare
for a Deployment to Iraq
1.
Sleep on a cot in the garage.
2.
Replace the garage door with a curtain.
3.
Six hours after you go to sleep, have your wife or girlfriend whip open the
curtain, shine a flashlight in your eyes and mumble, "Sorry, wrong
cot."
4.
Renovate your bathroom. Hang a green plastic sheet down from the middle of your
bathtub and move the showerhead down to chest level. Keep four inches of soapy
cold water on the floor. Stop cleaning the toilet and pee everywhere but in the
toilet itself. Leave two to three sheets of toilet paper. Or for best effect,
remove it altogether. For a more realistic deployed bathroom experience, stop
using your bathroom and use a neighbor's. Choose a neighbor who lives at least
a quarter mile away.
5.
When you take showers, wear flip-flops and keep the lights off.
6.
Every time there is a thunderstorm, go sit in a wobbly rocking chair and dump
dirt on your head.
7.
Put lube oil in your humidifier instead of water and set it on "HIGH"
for that tactical generator smell.
8.
Don't watch TV except for movies in the middle of the night. Have your family
vote on which movie to watch and then show a different one.
9.
Leave a lawnmower running in your living room 24 hours a day for proper noise
level.
10.
Have the paperboy give you a haircut.
11.
Once a week, blow compressed air up through your chimney making sure the wind
carries the soot across and on to your neighbor's house. Laugh at him when he
curses you.
12.
Buy a trash compactor and only use it once a week. Store up garbage in the
other side of your bathtub.
13.
Wake up every night at midnight and have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on
a saltine cracker.
14.
Make up your family menu a week ahead of time without looking in your food
cabinets or refrigerator. Then serve some kind of meat in an unidentifiable
sauce poured over noodles. Do this for every meal.
15.
Set your alarm clock to go off at random times during the night. When it goes
off, jump out of bed and get to the shower as fast as you can. Simulate there
is no hot water by running out into your yard and breaking out the garden hose.
16.
Once a month, take every major appliance completely apart and put it back
together again.
17.
Use 18 scoops of coffee per pot and allow it to sit for five or six hours
before drinking.
18.
Invite at least 185 people you don't really like because of their strange
hygiene habits to come and visit for a couple of months. Exchange clothes with
them.
19.
Have a fluorescent lamp installed on the bottom of your coffee table and lie
under it to read books.
20.
Raise the thresholds and lower the top sills of your front and back doors so
that you either trip over the threshold or hit your head on the sill every time
you pass through one of them.
21.
Keep a roll of toilet paper on your night stand and bring it to the bathroom
with you. And bring your gun and a flashlight.
22.
Go to the bathroom when you just have to pass gas, "just in case."
Every time.
23.
Announce to your family that they have mail, have them report to you as you
stand outside your open garage door after supper and then say, "Sorry,
it's for the other Smith."
24.
Wash only 15 items of laundry per week. Roll up the semi-wet clean clothes in a
ball. Place them in a cloth sack in the corner of the garage where the cat
pees. After a week, unroll them and without ironing or removing the mildew,
proudly wear them to professional meetings and family gatherings. Pretend you
don't know what you look or smell like. Enthusiastically repeat the process for
another week.
25.
Go to the worst crime-infested place you can find, go heavily armed, wearing a
flak jacket and a Kevlar helmet. Set up shop in a tent in a vacant lot.
Announce to the residents that you are there to help them.
26.
Eat a single M&M every Sunday and convince yourself it's for Malaria.
27.
Demand each family member be limited to 10 minutes per week for a morale phone
call. Enforce this with your teenage daughter.
28.
Shoot a few bullet holes in the walls of your home for proper ambiance.
29.
Sandbag the floor of your car to protect from mine blasts and fragmentation.
30.
While traveling down roads in your car, stop at each overpass and culvert and
inspect them for remotely detonated explosives before proceeding.
31.
Fire off 50 cherry bombs simultaneously in your driveway at 3:00 a.m. When
startled neighbors appear, tell them all is well, you are just registering
mortars. Tell them plastic will make an acceptable substitute for their
shattered windows.
32.
Drink your milk and sodas warm.
33.
Spread gravel throughout your house and yard.
34.
Make your children clear their Super Soakers in a clearing barrel you placed
outside the front door before they come in.
35.
Make your family dig a survivability position with overhead cover in the
backyard. Complain that the 4x4s are not 8 inches on center and make them
rebuild it.
36.
Continuously ask your spouse to allow you to go buy an M-Gator.
37.
When your 5-year-old asks for a stick of gum, have him find the exact stick and
flavor he wants on the Internet and print out the web page. Type up a Form 9
and staple the web page to the back. Submit the paperwork to your spouse for
processing. After two weeks, give your son the gum.
38.
Announce to your family that the dog is a vector for disease and shoot it.
Throw the dog in a burn pit you dug in your neighbor's back yard.
39.
Wait for the coldest/ hottest day of the year and announce to your family that
there will be no heat/air conditioning that day so you can perform much needed
maintenance on the heater/ air conditioner. Tell them you are doing this so
they won't get cold/ hot.
40.
Just when you think you're ready to resume a normal life, order yourself to
repeat this process for another six months to simulate the next deployment
you've been ordered to support.
HUMOR
Military Prayer
One
day a Colonel, a Lieutenant and a Warrant Officer were hiking and unexpectedly
came upon a large, raging, violent river. They needed to get to the other side,
but had no idea of how to do so.
The
Warrant Officer called out to God, praying, "Please God, give me the
strength to cross this river." Poof! God gave him big arms and strong
legs, and he was able to swim across the river. It did, however, take him about
two hours, and he almost drowned a couple of times.
Seeing
this, the Lieutenant prayed to God, saying, "Please God, give me the
strength and the tools to cross this river." Poof! God gave him a rowboat.
He was able to row across the river in about an hour, but it was rough, and he
almost capsized the boat a couple of times.
The
Colonel had seen how things worked out for the other two, so when he prayed to
God, he said, "Please God, give me the strength, the tools, and the
intelligence to cross this river." And poof! God turned him into an NCO.
He looked at the map, hiked upstream a couple of hundred yards, and then walked
across the bridge.
------------------------------------------------------------
Billy
Currington call our Military men and women the real and ture heroes of this
world. When signing autographs for our
military men and women who have served and are serving.... he states he feels
humbled and feels he should be asking for their autographs instead. Our billly c. has stood strong and proudly
for our men and women serving abroad and on our homelands for years and years-
.... even when it wasn't cool to do so.
God
Bless The USA- Lee Greewood.- We Remember Sepember 11, 2001
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=3744991&searchid=78fdd09e-90ac-4a34-bca2-55c27b94aac5
This
song sung by this incredible country music artist (Lee Greenwood) and it moves
me so deeply. God Bless you men and women serving abroad and on our homelands.
You are why we are free on this day.
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