Think about this

[Doug1]

I want you to close your eyes and picture in your mind the soldier at


Valley Forge, as he holds his musket in his bloody hands. He stands

barefoot in the snow, starved from lack of food, wounded from months of

battle and emotionally scarred from the eternity away from his family

surrounded by nothing but death and carnage of war. He stands tough, with

fire in his eyes and victory on his breath. He looks at us now in anger

and disgust and tells us this...

I gave you a birthright of freedom born in the Constitution and now your

children graduate too illiterate to read it.

I fought in the snow barefoot to give you the freedom to vote and you stay

at home because it rains.

I left my family destitute to give you the freedom of speech and you

remain silent on critical issues, because it might be bad for business.

I orphaned my children to give you a government to serve you and it has

stolen democracy from the people.

It's the soldier not the reporter who gives you the freedom of the press.

It's the soldier not the poet who gives you the freedom of speech.

It's the soldier not the campus organizer who allows you to demonstrate.

It's the soldier who salutes the flag, serves the flag, whose coffin is

draped with the flag that allows the protester to burn the flag!!!

When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our

U.S. ground troops in Afghanistan, and the ones facing deployment to Iraq

at this very moment - AND all over this world.

There is nothing attached.... This can be very powerful.... Just send this

to all the people in your address book. Do not stop the wheel,

please....Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Prayer is the very best

one.....
Whether or not one agrees with the President, or the correctness of the war, Please remember that we have the right to openly disagree because right now there are men and women, our Sons and Daughters, Moms and Dads, Sisters and Brothers, and yes even members of this lowly little reef Board, That are on deployment, walking the walls so that we can sleep peacefully tonight. These people choose a life of service that excludes a lot of the chooses we have everyday, we can do or do not, their choice is simpler To my Brothers and Sister in Arms God Sped and Be safe

[Alice]

Thanks, Doug.

I hope everyone understands how important it is to support the troops, no matter what your personal politics.

Alice

[cath]

Handsome is as handsome does, Doug. To the soldiers who fight for those rights and to for posting such an important piece so elegantly.

I agree with you Alice. We need to support those who are out there fighting for us. And to cradle their families in our prayers as well.

Peace.

[Doug1]

I have tried to reply to this thread at last 5 or 6 times and each time I have have eleted because its hard to reply witout it turning into A THREAD.I grew up in the 60s in the middle if the Viet Nam war conflict and the product of of a Military family to boot. Both my parents wher ein he army as well as grandads on both sides, my dads dad was in WWI my granddad on Moms said was navy UDT plankowner. I did my stint my youngest brother(deceased) was FORMER Marine
Semper Fi Bros, my sisters each have a son that is Navy SEAL and was a former 82nd Airborne(ranger tab) so please believe me when I say the last one to want battle is the warrior, Combat brings out ones personal best yet tends to emphasize the worst in humanity, and while the true warrior abohrs violence and seeks peace, he stands strong to the last that the average citizen , need never know the lion at the gate.
That is what I want to convey to you, tose that went befor have gotten there reward but tere are Men, Rough Men amd Women, that stand watch on the walls, that you may sleep sound tonight

[Rick O]

Thanks for posting that Doug.

[Junkzoo]

THANKS Doug!

[Stang69]

Thanks Doug!!!

Jeff

[dbelshe]

I served in Desert Sheild/Desert Storm. And I can tell you one thing that made a HUGE difference for me was .....mail! If you want to show a servicemember that you care and support him/her. Try to find a program where you can send mail to a servicemember or serveral servicemembers serving in the war. And write to them, let them know how much you appreciate their efforts. I made some lifetime aquaintances while serving in the Gulf War.

Anyway, that is my .02 worth. Thanks for listening.

[uurt]

great piece Doug.
I know from experience also, the lonely soldier, sailor, airman will always appreciate the kind words, and support of those they have sworn to protect. Remeber - they are there voluntarily - those that would stand agianst are conscruipted and usually don't want to be there but for their fanatical governments.
Lee

[ShirleyM]

Doug, both your posts are powerful and effective. Thank you! and thank you to everyone who is serving, or has family members serving, past, present, and future.

Shirley

[icebear]

Originally posted by Doug1
he stands strong to the last that the average citizen , need never know the lion at the gate.
That is what I want to convey to you, tose that went befor have gotten there reward but tere are Men, Rough Men amd Women, that stand watch on the walls, that you may sleep sound tonight

...yes....

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Very well said Doug!! I as well come from a military family back ground as my Dad served in the Army during the war. I had two brothers serve in Okinawa, one brother in Viet Nam and I served in Germany. It was tough to be away from home but the letters meant alot!
Right now the soldiers are having a heck of a time with the weather with sand storms always constant and very hot in Iraq.
If any of you have been in chat rooms dealing with subjects on Iraq, it can be very upsetting and at times I would like to reach in and touch someone!!!
So Pat and I will pray for the safety of our men and women serving their country everywhere!! God Bless!!