I stood Straighter

[tmma 467]

So today I was at Walmart.

There was a group outside from the VFW distributing poppies. I immediatly went over there to donate and get one when I noticed that the youngish veteran behind the makeshift desk was wearing a 'Jake the Snake' t-shirt exactly like the one I earned in Bosnia from the 82nd Airborne ( for completing their gruelling PT challenge) anyway, I mentioned this to the veteran and we began talking....War stories and comparing deployments (like veterans do, sometimes).

Anyway, as we were swapping Jake stories & war stories, he stood to shake my hand. Straight and proud. 'Thank you for your service' he said..... looking me straight in the eyes and took my hand in both his. I was humbled and looked alittle downward like I tend to do when I am overwhelmed or blush ---that's when I saw he had a prothsetic leg. He had returned from Iraq-Germany-WRMC then back to Texas only months ago.

'Stand straight and tall' he said 'don't let them win by lowering your head.....I won't'

I stood straighter.

[Fandango 1,439]

THANK YOU SO MUCH SHELE FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!! You and my man Scott, my dad Eddie, and everyone else who served. I know tomorrow's for those we have lost, but I cannot let it go by without thinking of the ones we didn't lose.

Your country owes you a debt that could never be repaid.

[Fandango 1,439]

*bump*

[IndigoSkies 168]

Everyone else is fat. That's why their asses are parked on the sidewalk firmly

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

ty for your service, shele

[tmma 467]

You too Charles.

Thanks for posting that picture, Lisa .....Drives it home, huh?

My point is that in the face of extreme pain/horrific experiences/and immense loss...My point is that so many have sacrificed so much ( and their families) and here I am years afterwards and it takes a man who stands straight and tall, head up in the face of adversity to give me the strength to push the physical and emotional pain to aside & to walk tall. Still brothers & sisters who once placed their life in eachother's hands.....and still supporting eachother months or years after our Military commitment is over. There's no strangers...

I am spending some of the day remembering those that made the ultimate sacrifice; their families AND those whom everyday is still a continuing battle to be won.

Thank you to our fallen heros and their families. The debt will never be paid and the very least anyone can do is acknowledge this and spend at least afew moments considering the courage it took and be grateful to those that step up to the plate..

[one...two...tree 2,762]

So today I was at Walmart.

There was a group outside from the VFW distributing poppies. I immediatly went over there to donate and get one when I noticed that the youngish veteran behind the makeshift desk was wearing a 'Jake the Snake' t-shirt exactly like the one I earned in Bosnia from the 82nd Airborne ( for completing their gruelling PT challenge) anyway, I mentioned this to the veteran and we began talking....War stories and comparing deployments (like veterans do, sometimes).

Anyway, as we were swapping Jake stories & war stories, he stood to shake my hand. Straight and proud. 'Thank you for your service' he said..... looking me straight in the eyes and took my hand in both his. I was humbled and looked alittle downward like I tend to do when I am overwhelmed or blush ---that's when I saw he had a prothsetic leg. He had returned from Iraq-Germany-WRMC then back to Texas only months ago.

'Stand straight and tall' he said 'don't let them win by lowering your head.....I won't'

I stood straighter.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

There is no way to truly thank those who voluntarily sacrifice to protect this country and its liberties that many take for granted. I acknowledge their service and offer my heartfelt appreciation as the very least I can do. Thank you, tmma, Charles and every military service person, current and former, who has earned our nation's eternal gratitude. I salute you all!

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

THANK YOU SO MUCH SHELE FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!! You and my man Scott, my dad Eddie, and everyone else who served. I know tomorrow's for those we have lost, but I cannot let it go by without thinking of the ones we didn't lose.

Your country owes you a debt that could never be repaid.

A picture says a thousand words. Thanks Lisa for posting! And tmma for your service. A slap in the face to the ignorant a$$holes sittin on their butts!

[GabiandVi 34]

Wow! Thanks to you and everyone who has served.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Joe and I attended the Memorial Day service this morning at the Veteran's Hall of Honour in McDonough, Georgia. It was full. The service was both sobering and inspiring in front of the arching wall emblazoned with the title "All Gave Some. Some Gave All".

For those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and for those men and women who have served in the armed forces - whether we agree with the need for that field of action or not - thank you for your selflessness, your honour and your commitment to those values that we all hold dear and upon which this country was founded.

As was stated a number of times this morning, our freedoms do have a cost.

Edited May 31, 2010 by Kathryn41

[natty bumppo 297]

thank you dad, adopted dad, grandad, great grandad ... and all the others.

i will never forget you ...

[sjr09 155]

So today I was at Walmart.

There was a group outside from the VFW distributing poppies. I immediatly went over there to donate and get one when I noticed that the youngish veteran behind the makeshift desk was wearing a 'Jake the Snake' t-shirt exactly like the one I earned in Bosnia from the 82nd Airborne ( for completing their gruelling PT challenge) anyway, I mentioned this to the veteran and we began talking....War stories and comparing deployments (like veterans do, sometimes).

Anyway, as we were swapping Jake stories & war stories, he stood to shake my hand. Straight and proud. 'Thank you for your service' he said..... looking me straight in the eyes and took my hand in both his. I was humbled and looked alittle downward like I tend to do when I am overwhelmed or blush ---that's when I saw he had a prothsetic leg. He had returned from Iraq-Germany-WRMC then back to Texas only months ago.

'Stand straight and tall' he said 'don't let them win by lowering your head.....I won't'

I stood straighter.