This comming 4th, remember that this day was set aside to recall the events that lead to the Birth of our Nation. Those who gave their lives to start the very freedoms that we seem to forget, did so becasue they loved freedom more then life. It is with their lives that they got our freedom. That war was very bloody and fought on our home land. I pray that our chidlren never know the total taste of all out war here in the states.
Being one who wears a EMS badge...I read in the papers about those who are against the war. I am not for it either. But several of my best friends, and one family member are in harms way tonight. I can NEVER forget the site of a plane as it crashed into a tall building in NYC killing men, woman and children who could not fight back. I stand humbled in the face of raw courage as my fellow borthers and sisters went to work one morning, and was faced with a cowardice and dishonorable act of war that killed many unarmed and innocent civi's. Some of my friends died that day helping those who were hurt.
On the fourth, I will put on my badge, and remember the loss...and pray for those left behind. I can only hope if I am faced with that type of a problem as a member of EMS, my valor will match theirs. I pray that I will not let them down.
In Washington DC, one will find the Korean war memorial. On it is a sentence that sticks in my heart this weekend.....
"FREEDOM IS NEVER FREE"
Our freedoms come at a very high price. History has proved this statment out time and again. The Blood of Heros is very expensive. Let us hope/pray that it is not poured out in vain!
This holiday, before you dive into the bugers/steaks and cold beer....remember my brothers and sisters who serve as EMS/Fire/PD. If you enjoy your holiday...find and thank a vet. They bought it for you with there Blood.
Best wishes play safe and never forget
Ozzy.....
PS, Here is a site that will make you cry. If you do not remember, it will remind you. "REMEMBER THE BLOOD OF HEROS..."
-- Modified on 7/3/2004 9:39:14 AM
Memorial Day, July 4th, and Veterens Day are the hardest Holidays for me.
As a veteren, I have several good friends who never came back from Vietnam through Desert Storm.
I can't go to these Holiday parades without getting choked up.
Standing at a parade when the flag goes by carried by young men and women who have volunteered to defend our freedom really gets me, especially remebering the frieands who didn't come back. Sometimes I feel embarrested by the tears that drip. I don't really feel that some of the people standing by could ever really understand the reasons.
God bless the USA, and God bless the men and women of our military.
Just my opinion...
B
I get tears in my eyes every time I see soldiers march and especially when I hear the song, "I'm Proud To Be An American." I'm an officer in my club here, and they always want me to march with them (I guess being female airborne is a commodity). I've done it a couple of times and I hear interesting things coming from the crowd like, "Wow, I'd hate to mess with her," "Look, mommie, she's a jumper," "You go, girl," "She looks too pretty to be in the army" (my personal favorite - wink!), "I wonder how many men she did" (not my personal favorite because I was very professional when I was in), and many more. I felt proud to put on the uniform, especially the maroon beret, but those old combat boots just are not made for walking in anymore, and my jump boots never fit right. I only wore them when I was in my dress greens. You never actually jumped in them. That wasn't allowed.
Hugs,
Ciara
I understand what you mean. I knew that you were service, just by the way you talk, but Jumping from a Plane? Man (or woman) that takes more guts then I'll ever have!!!!!!!
I get bit hard when I hear taps. I have stood so damn many honor guards and help to fold the flags over too damn many coffins to count. At 43, I just can't do it anymore. I can't hold back the tears long enough.
Yes we have lost those we loved and served with. But with those tears, they are always with us...deep in our hearts.
I would like to find that SOB that told young boys "Men don't Cry". I promise they will stop a bullet.
Your right we cry. Just try and hand over a flag to a sobbing mother/wife/girlfriend and keep a hard face. Even as I just stand too in the croud, I loose it by the time we get to Taps. It hurts, so we cry. It is a way for the soul to let out the pain.
I remember evey one of the men I served with. I can still see their faces...listen to their jokes, enjoy their memory within my heart.
Damn me if I will not stand to. I let the tears fall. If some fool has a problem with it...I send him/her to where some of us have gone in the name of service....and give 'em a lesson they will never forget.
So to you my wonderful friend, and to all who ever humped a pack, or stood the duty...in whatever service......
You are my Brothers and Sisters. Let the tears fall. I'll be there to help dry 'em if I can......
Yes, service was hard, but it had its good times too. However, I remember the grueling 13-mile road marches with 45 lbs. on my, what once was, a 110-lb. frame. Then they were the filled canteens scraping against the hips, the blisters breaking open on the feet, the gnawing aching in the back and neck. I fell on one road march and had to finish the remaining eight miles with a severely sprained ankle. Ouch! I can remember sitting on the tarmac(sp) for hours waiting to board the plane with all that gear on: 40-45 lb. ruck sack, my weapon strapped to my leg, that heavy kevolar on my head, the filled canteens at my side, the LEC gear, the parachute tightly cinched on my back and the straps wound between my legs (pitied the guys on that one), and the reserve resting above my ruck sack hanging to my knees so far that I could barely walk to the aircraft, mush less jump out of the darn airplane. Yes, I played army with the best of them. I went to Saudi with the Special Forces guys and jumped with the Infantry many times. Luckily, I was a long-distance runner so that helped me out on the runs. Physical training (PT) was easy for me. I probably out-pushuped most of the guys. Now, I enjoy being completely feminine, but there's still a little tomboy in me at heart who misses going fishing with her dad and to the car races, as well as going to movies with my mom.
Believe me when I say (everyone), I really know what these men and women go through during war. I can't even imagine what the guys went through during the Cold War and the invasion of Normandy, much less Vietnam.
Hugs to all my comrades in arms,
Ciara
My profound thanks for your service....my admoration to your talents....and one last question....
Can I be your love slave?
Any woman that can shoot, fish (ok, jump outta airplanes is a tad bit crazy) is MY KINDA WOMAN. (bark-bark-pant-pant)
I think about comming home after a hard day at the plant, or a bad night on duty and when I think that the little woman can just kick my can if I don't please her...just makes me...well....damn, now I gotta go get a cold shower.....
Loves, Hugs, and Licks......
Ok, I'm a sick puppy....but ya gotta admit...whatta woman! (grin)
bragging, because I'm actually pretty quiet about certain things in my past. But I'm very proud to tell everyone that I was part of a team to protect whose mission is to protect our country. Okay, I'll stop now.
Hugs,
Ciara