President Bush and his followers have implied that those Americans that speak out against the war in Iraq hate their own country and the troops that are fighting in it's name. I know better, of course, because I'm still repeating the mantra I began during the Gulf War: "I don't support this greed infested war, but I certainly support the soldiers that have signed up to defend my freedoms; including my freedom to protest such misguided nonsense." I suppose I could wrap myself in the flag and pin a yellow ribbon to anything that'll hold still for 20 seconds to show my support, but that's just not my style.
( - Begin sappy, personal military story... - )
When I was in boot camp I received a very special letter from a man that worked with my mother. I didn't know him, and he didn't know me. What he did know, having been a soldier himself, was how incredible it felt to hear your name at mail call - and how empty you felt when you didn't. I still have that letter. Even though it was from a virtual stranger, it meant as much to me as any letter I received from a loved one.
( - End sappy, personal military story. - )
I've since left my military days behind, (NMCB 17, Charlie Company. Semper Gumby, guys) but there are hundreds of men and women over in Iraq and Afghanistan that haven't; so I'm asking all of you to let them know they're remembered and appreciated. Take a few minutes to visit AnySoldier.com, they'll help you reach out to a soldier that's missing home and let them know they're remembered and appreciated. There are great guidelines for those that would like to send small care packages, (I personally recommend topping off any care packages with a bundle of assorted greeting/post cards and a few pens - they don't exactly have a Hallmark at the ready over there) but a simple letter will mean just as much. Two minutes is all it'll take.
"It hurts to know that a simple package or letter to any given soldier or marine could possibly be the last piece of love he gets before heading out to his last patrol. It hurts. But in a good way. I couldn't be anymore proud to have been a part of such an honorable organization as AnySoldier.com. Knowing that my name was listed as a contact will hold more weight to me than any mass-produced ribbon the army would give me any day." - SGT Brian Horn
If nothing else, take the time to check out some of the quotes from the site. They say it better than I ever could.
( - Begin sappy, personal military story... - )
When I was in boot camp I received a very special letter from a man that worked with my mother. I didn't know him, and he didn't know me. What he did know, having been a soldier himself, was how incredible it felt to hear your name at mail call - and how empty you felt when you didn't. I still have that letter. Even though it was from a virtual stranger, it meant as much to me as any letter I received from a loved one.
( - End sappy, personal military story. - )
I've since left my military days behind, (NMCB 17, Charlie Company. Semper Gumby, guys) but there are hundreds of men and women over in Iraq and Afghanistan that haven't; so I'm asking all of you to let them know they're remembered and appreciated. Take a few minutes to visit AnySoldier.com, they'll help you reach out to a soldier that's missing home and let them know they're remembered and appreciated. There are great guidelines for those that would like to send small care packages, (I personally recommend topping off any care packages with a bundle of assorted greeting/post cards and a few pens - they don't exactly have a Hallmark at the ready over there) but a simple letter will mean just as much. Two minutes is all it'll take.
"It hurts to know that a simple package or letter to any given soldier or marine could possibly be the last piece of love he gets before heading out to his last patrol. It hurts. But in a good way. I couldn't be anymore proud to have been a part of such an honorable organization as AnySoldier.com. Knowing that my name was listed as a contact will hold more weight to me than any mass-produced ribbon the army would give me any day." - SGT Brian Horn
If nothing else, take the time to check out some of the quotes from the site. They say it better than I ever could.