Salute to the troops! 4th of July, 2010 Independence Day

[kbl8201]

the sar spangled banner (written as a poem by francis scott key as he watched aboard a british ship as a prison, the american victory at the battle of fort mnhcenry, august, 1814).

oh say, can you see?
by the dawns early light.

what so proudly, we hailed, at the twighlights, last gleaming.

who's broad stripes and bright stars.
thru the perilous fight.
o'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly
streaming.

and the rockets red glare!
the bombs bursting in air!

gave proof, thru the night.

that our flag was still there!

oh, say does that star spangled, banner yet, wave.
over the land, of the free!

and the home......of the brave!!!!

also on this date in history (besides the obvious)

1826 thomas jefferson and john adams die on the 50th anniversery of signing the decleration of indenpendence. adams last words are an ironic "thomas jefferson still lives'. jefferson had actually died 3 hours earlier.

1831 james monroe dies on the 55th anniversery.

 

[The World According]

Happy Independence Day America!

My thoughts & prayers go out to all of our Armed Forces currently serving our country and to those who have proudly served our great country!

​

On 9-11 there were no "Caucasians", no "hispanics", no "African American".....we were all ONE color....RED, WHITE & BLUE!!!!!

I like that, "We were all one!" I learned a lot about our history and the origin of the iconic songs we sing. Thank you everybody!! Thank you mods, very much. God bless all of our Troops, wherever you are, come home safely. We love you!

 

[seagull65]

Dang it, I had written a post with a few stories about my husband's time in Iraq. Suffice to say, my son and I were very fortunate to get him safely home, he came home when my son was almost 3, and lucky for us, he didn't have to go back. Thanks very much for this thread.

After serving in the Air Force for 22 years, my husband finally took a job offer he couldn't refuse here in Charleston (we did hate to leave the Air Force though). He now works as a civilian for the Navy. Anyway, he always said ALL his young troops in Iraq were fantastic, and so was the First Sergeant, (who is a lady). She was the greatest.

One of my husband's troops would talk to his grandmother on the phone on most days. My husband noticed it usually went something like, "Oh fine. We're probably gonna go to the beach after work. OK grandma, love you, tell everybody hi." He had never told his grandmother he was in Iraq, she thought he was still in Florida.

Sometimes messages would come down requesting troops perform non-essential errands in danger zones, like delivering donated paper to a civilian place in town and stuff like that. My husband would not send troops on anything like that. Also, the young troops would sometimes want to take a ride on helicopters if there was a vacant seat. My husband wouldn't let them go. Being in his forties, he knew his responsibility to keep these kids safe whenever and wherever possible.

Balad was a pretty heavily shelled base though at that time, I don't know what's going on there now, maybe it's the same. They did have casualties on base, including some kitchen staff, some of them from the Philippines and other countries. One young troop of my husband's leaned over one day to pick something up and a shell (I can't remember exactly what they're called) went right through where he would have been sitting normally and took out his computer.

There was a little Iraqi boy, very young, my husband estimated he was about 3, who had been brought to the gates of the base for medical treatment. He had a congenital problem with his leg or some prior injury to his leg which had never been treated and required surgeries to correct. He got the surgery he needed on the base, but he was alone in this hospital ward during his recovery. My husband would say hi to him whenever he went through, and despite being all alone there, not understanding the language, and no doubt in pain from his surgery, this little child would always have a big smile and wave. We sent him a big box of toys. My husband said out of the whole box the first thing the little boy picked up was a little wind up truck, he picked it up and said "truck" in English with a big smile.

Our hearts go out to the troops and their families. I pray they are all home safely, very soon. Deepest gratitude to all those who have given their lives or been injured defending our freedoms, and the freedom of people around the world, and to their families.

My husband's father also served in the U.S. Navy, from Vietnam on up. He is from the Philippines. He signed on as soon as he was old enough. He was a Chief when he retired from the Navy, he and my mother in law and my husband became naturalized citizens, then he worked twenty more years for the Air Force as a civilian. Although not American by birth, you could not find better American citizens than him, my husband, and my mother in law.

 

[The World According]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf7muj1w7rQ[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJfeD-I39CQ[/ame]

Thank God we live in America where we can have a discussion blog. For all of the troops, the police officers, the medics and the firemen. I am praying for you and honoring you all this week. Hug our heroes. Send a care package over seas to our kids, drop off some cookies to your local fire station and whatever else you do, if you walk by one of our kids in his uniform stop....and tell him THANK YOU.
9-11 had me thinking of how many of our kids signed up because of the events that day. These are kids that you raised. If no one has told you lately, good, good job!

You must see this one.
"I was there," video.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxJiiWo0JbE[/ame]

"Let's roll!

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvy_v3UewFg[/ame]

For all of the moms [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TegH7P6ql1k[/ame]

 

[The World According]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-VsgSb9-Zs[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZTMdDVD-2s[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQUFvdRdIG0[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luLhwqXk1N4[/ame]

Please stand up when you see our sons and daughters and say welcome home. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bK-P5ZXl3Y[/ame]

 

[The World According]

One more, my favorite!
Watch baby Julia once she realizes who Santa is.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFU5qu0G84M[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hIKhGTpWjI[/ame]

If you see our kids in their gear at the airport, please STAND UP!!! You'll never know how much it matters to them.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpohfny7jWg[/ame]

I just wanted to say hello and tell you all of our military families that are here........ America loves you.

 

[countzero]

Thanks Julia. We were at the Richmond Nascar race Sat evening and it was an amazing tribute Nascar did to the responders of 911 as well as all Armed Services members. They had many NYPD and NYFD personnel as well as active duty service members on the infield with the drivers. During the opening ceremonies and the invocation you could hear a pin drop it was so silent and respectful. It was one of the top 10 opening ceremonies Nascar has done since we have been going to the Cup races in my humble opinion.

 

[grammieto5]

PLEASE Remember our troops when they become our veterans !!!!!