My new hero

Submitted by Stephanie Boothe on June 29, 2009 - 9:13pm

As our homes are rattled with fireworks this weekend, I encourage everyone to take a step back and remember the men and women who saccrificed everything so we can celebrate and continue to enjoy our freedoms.
 
For me this Fourth of July is a little bittersweet as I said goodbye this weekend to one of my favorite people in the world. My cousin is being deployed to Egypt with the Kansas National Guard. With an Armory in my hometown, several of my Hiawatha friends are also leaving with the unit. I know their destination could be much scarier, but anytime an important member of your family leaves for a year, their absence is hard to swallow.
 
My cousin carries on a proud tradition of military service in our family. His dad served in Vietnam, my dad was in the 101 Airborn. Our grandfather was deployed to the South Pacific five days before World War II ended. Another cousin has served in Iraq and Afghanistan countless times and my own brother has served a tour in Iraq.
 
My cousin's own troop also served a year in Iraq, not so long ago, and our town suffered a hard loss when another soldier was killed while serving his country in Iraq.
 
So as I help my niece light her sparklers Saturday, I'll think of my cousin who will leave his wife and children for a year to serve his country. I'll think of my brother who put everything on the line to defend his way of life and I'll count my blessings that generations of such soldiers with such devotion to liberty paved to way for all of us.

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This is a tear making blog. I can't think of any good words to say. Once a man told me with tears in his eyes that he lost alot of good friends on that wall. I turned to him and said we all did. The men whos names are on that wall were all of our dear friends. That wall and your story touches hearts in the deepest of ways. This blog should be the longest blog we have ever had. This is the week end for these stories. Thanks for your beautiful story!!! Your cousin and his family along with all the others will be in our prayers. All of us need to count our blessings that generations of such soldiers with such devotion to liberty paved the way for all of us.   xox

Submitted by ELISA on July 2, 2009 - 5:20pm.

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A special salute to U and Ur family who have given so much so that all could
Remain free; I will keep Ur cousin in my prayers…
God bless U all from an old Vietnam Vet….
 

Submitted by mminnoe on June 30, 2009 - 12:13pm.

May God Bless You Too Friend. We salute YOU!!!   XOX

Submitted by ELISA on July 2, 2009 - 5:23pm.

.......HIAWATHA?......isn't that where they have the "Neewollah" festival?.........lol.......I did numerous siding jobs in that town......it had charm for sure.......I remember doing a job there close to the square.......with two feet of snow on the ground and giant flakes in the air.....up on a scaffold ...with moon boots on.......OSHA would have had a stroke.......we were trying to finish for Christmas.........no wonder  that town is tatooed into my memory.....sorry for digressing there........I enjoyed the "Memorial Day Tribute" at Union Station.......with the "AIr Force Brass In Blue".......and the patriotism the 50,000 people showed to respect our country , flag and veterans.......to whom we owe EVERYTHING that we have and hope to have.......or we might be speaking German or Japanese in this country...........with a dictator or emperor......no offense to anybody but we started this country to "make our own rules" and worship as we please.........bloodshed has been the expensive cost to maintain this "constitution and union"..........Korean War......Vietnam War........Gulf War.......Iraq War.......those who serve in Afghanistan or anywhere else in the country........National Guard as well..........they all protect our freedom and liberty.........as well as those who can't defend themselves......... watchdogs.......guard dogs of freedom........  sometimes beguiled.......sometimes loved......sometimes hated.............many of our warriors have been wounded.....maimed for life........physically.......mentally.......emotionally........wives lost....husbands lost.......jobs and carreers gone for Guardsmen coming home........banks forclosing on their homes........angry war protesters......misguided anger toward those who serve?...........our governemnt asks these brave citizens to "give it all".....for their country........and from what I see and read?.......when they come home wounded?.......they get inferior medical care and "red tape"....along with excuses from politicians........enough to make you sick really........we should do better.......there's just NO excuse for this travesty............yet ?......nothing gets done..............how can top military brass sleep at night?.............somebody should strap theirself up and get  this issue " front & center"......... up there with "gay rights" and everything else we're having parades about.........they have ridiculous "earmarks" and "pork" for everything from spotted lizards to wierd  sparrows in Hawaii........this has always baffled me........why we don't take care of those who took care of us........

eldoggg

Submitted by eldoggg on June 30, 2009 - 2:54pm.