acoenfam1
07-07-2003, 10:27 AM
I just got this from one of my Marines on his way home. Just wanted to share it with anyone interested and anyone I shared a little bit of Kuwait/Iraq with. I think I finally got all the sand out of all the little hiding places on my body.
"On this Fourth of July I would like to tell all of you, my military brothers, that this is a day that I have reflected on and thought about for the past week.
You see, we have the distinct privilege and honor of knowing just what that Fourth of July is really all about. We have defended our country in peace and war to preserve what our founding fathers gave us. This is something that a growing number of Americans have never done and will never know and therefore will never be able to conceive the same devotion. We have endured the hardships of being separated from our families in trying times and not seeing birthdays, graduations, first steps, first date, etc. of our children. These are things that the average person on the street takes for granted and will never know and will never realize just how much those simple things mean in life.
But we have and are enduring these hardships not for the pay, the travel, medical benefits, or any of the other things that we receive from Congress, but because we know the pride of serving this great nation and preserving that which has been given to us and paid for by the blood of those that have served with us, have gone before us, and are now carrying the torch of freedom for future generations.
Those that have gone before me, I thank you with the deepest felt love of my heart for what you gave to me. Those that served with me, I thank you for the brotherhood that only a few of us will ever know. We have shared some of the same hardships and seen the same battlefields and watch some of our closest friends die far from home. And for those of you that are carrying on. You have my prayers, love, and best wishes for what you are doing and will do. There is nothing free about freedom. It's just a shame that the few of us must shoulder the burden for the rest. But they are the ones that have lost out.
We know a love for this country and our way of life that many will never know. And that is a shame because I think that what we have is more beautiful than anything in this world. I'm proud on this Fourth of July 2003 to say that I have had the privilege of serving with some of the best Americans there are and we will be brothers to the end of time. Whether you were or are Army, Navy, Air force, or Marines on this we stand together.
And for those of you that are still over there in the sand box of Iraq or serving other places in this world know well that on this Fourth of July I fly my Holiday Flag with the thought of you and your service.
Simper Fi and always keep God in bless America."
"On this Fourth of July I would like to tell all of you, my military brothers, that this is a day that I have reflected on and thought about for the past week.
You see, we have the distinct privilege and honor of knowing just what that Fourth of July is really all about. We have defended our country in peace and war to preserve what our founding fathers gave us. This is something that a growing number of Americans have never done and will never know and therefore will never be able to conceive the same devotion. We have endured the hardships of being separated from our families in trying times and not seeing birthdays, graduations, first steps, first date, etc. of our children. These are things that the average person on the street takes for granted and will never know and will never realize just how much those simple things mean in life.
But we have and are enduring these hardships not for the pay, the travel, medical benefits, or any of the other things that we receive from Congress, but because we know the pride of serving this great nation and preserving that which has been given to us and paid for by the blood of those that have served with us, have gone before us, and are now carrying the torch of freedom for future generations.
Those that have gone before me, I thank you with the deepest felt love of my heart for what you gave to me. Those that served with me, I thank you for the brotherhood that only a few of us will ever know. We have shared some of the same hardships and seen the same battlefields and watch some of our closest friends die far from home. And for those of you that are carrying on. You have my prayers, love, and best wishes for what you are doing and will do. There is nothing free about freedom. It's just a shame that the few of us must shoulder the burden for the rest. But they are the ones that have lost out.
We know a love for this country and our way of life that many will never know. And that is a shame because I think that what we have is more beautiful than anything in this world. I'm proud on this Fourth of July 2003 to say that I have had the privilege of serving with some of the best Americans there are and we will be brothers to the end of time. Whether you were or are Army, Navy, Air force, or Marines on this we stand together.
And for those of you that are still over there in the sand box of Iraq or serving other places in this world know well that on this Fourth of July I fly my Holiday Flag with the thought of you and your service.
Simper Fi and always keep God in bless America."