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| Topic: Love & thanks ~ to our beloved Soldiers... - part 2 | |
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Edited by
Rapunzel
on
Tue 08/12/08 09:03 AM
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Someone Named Mama
 August 8, 2005 The hallways of the nursing home smelled of antiseptic, and as I rounded each corner in the long corridor from my sister’s room to the main doors, the smell seemed to chase me, mixing with the tantalizing aromas of a Thanksgiving meal being prepared in the kitchen off to my right. I finally reached the last corner, made my turn, and started the last of the straight aways to the vibrant and living world beyond the drab green doors. About halfway down the runway, I saw an ancient woman strapped into a wheel chair, her body limp and bowed with time, yet her eyes strained to see me as I got closer to her. About 20 feet from her, a weary voice tiptoed from her quivering lips in uncertainty as she said “Frankie, is that you ? Frankie my baby! My sweet baby boy! I knew you would come!” I looked around, as her shaking arms lifted into the air to hug this Frankie that had come to her at last, but there was no one there in the hall except this old woman and me. I kept walking slowly, and gingerly I side stepped the wheel chair to get around, but her out stretched arms followed me. “Frankie, my baby,” she said, openly crying now. “I knew you would come.” I stopped beside her, and knelt to the floor to look into the azure eyes of this tired soul. “I told you I would mama. I’m sorry it took so long. But I’m here now." I hugged her, and she hugged me, in her embrace that ached of emptiness now filled. Love flowed through the arms of this lady, and though her body was weary of the ages, a strength rose from her heart as she embraced the baby boy she had been waiting to hold for so long. She sobbed on my shoulder, stumbling to say the words that only her heart could understand, not daring to release the embrace of someone she so desperately needed to hold. Finally, after reaching into the depths of ages past and eternity to come with her tears, she said faintly, “Push me to my room Frankie,” her bony fingers pointing the way at each turn. We found her room, and it was warm with a mothers touch. Pictures of her past adorned the walls, and in the midst of them hung a yellowing photo of a young square chinned soldier with an inscription, “I love you Mama , I’ll be back”. Underneath, a strong hand had signed the name, “Frank”. A date at the bottom corner told a thousand stories . . . February 1942. A folded flag lay on her dresser,  wrapped in cellophane.  A faded piece of paper with a heading... “Western Union Telegram”, hung on a mirror just above it, and I did not want to read it. My heart swells in not knowing, and cries in the possibilities. Did Frankie come home from a war he did not choose to start, but chose to end? Did he give his life somewhere, in some strange land, for his home, his country and his Mama? Did he ever know how much he was loved? And was that day in late November 1993 in the drab green corridor of a nursing home, the day he was finally able to keep a promise to a mother who had waited for him to come back for so many years? I never did learn her name, and I do not know to this day, which head stone is hers in Wyuka Cemetery. I do know though, that Frankie was loved, and that she held on to life long enough to tell him so, one last time. She died a few days later in her sleep, and I had been chosen to be the one to tell her... “I love you mama.” She's gone now. I said goodbye to her for you Frankie, where ever you are, and I am blessed to have held her. She was someone special… She was someone named  ‘Mama’, and she found the peace she needed that Thanksgiving. Now finally, she can rest. By Robert VanDerslice |
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Thank you Myriah and Vanessa for the poems, blogs, and articles and words of encouragement. You just keep it up, those of us who are not poetic like to read your entries.
God Bless the soldiers and their families... Keep them safe, keep them strong and bring them home safe.
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Thank you.
Been busy with work and getting ready to start my new surrogacy, so I haven't really stopped by here. But I have been personally thanking bunches of soldiers both in person and online. Got a new one a few weeks ago. He lives near my boss in Boston, but he's in Iraq right now. But I pray they all come home safely, regardless where they are!   
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thinking of all the soldiers and their loved ones today.. Amen...  thank you so much my Sister Jackie  thinking of all of our Troops, and sending extra special prayers for Military Moms < Suzanne > & for < Joyce> & for their brave courageous young Sons who are in basic training now, & going through hell... Help them, their comrades & other parents get through this incredibly tough time... love and prayers and hugs and lots of compassion for You all Thank you Nessa My 30 year old son was just sworn in yesterday. He leaves for basic training next Tuesday! I just got one son home and the other one has just signed up. I love them both and am so very proud of them!!! God bless all our miltary, and the families they leave behind!!!! |
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Edited by
Rapunzel
on
Wed 08/13/08 10:39 AM
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Thank you Myriah and Vanessa for the poems, blogs, and articles and words of encouragement. You just keep it up, those of us who are not poetic like to read your entries. anytime, Sis...love you soooo much God Bless the soldiers and their families... Keep them safe, keep them strong and bring them home safe. Amen...Yes, God... Hear our heartfelt prayers & our endless pleas... Protect Our Troops at home & in foreign Countries Confront this world's leaders, to cry out to You , on their knees End Hatred & Famine, Prejudice, War & Disease Bring awe ~ inspiring love, loyalty & peace back to this Planet you lent us, we beg you! Oh God ! Please |
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thinking of all the soldiers and their loved ones today.. Amen... thank you so much my Sister Jackie thinking of all of our Troops, and sending extra special prayers for Military Moms < Suzanne > & for < Joyce> & for their brave courageous young Sons who are in basic training now, & going through hell... Help them, their comrades & other parents get through this incredibly tough time... love and prayers and hugs and lots of compassion for You all Thank you Nessa My 30 year old son was just sworn in yesterday. He leaves for basic training next Tuesday! I just got one son home and the other one has just signed up. I love them both and am so very proud of them!!! God bless all our miltary, and the families they leave behind!!!! Ohhhhhhhhhh..... {{{{{ <<<<< Brenda >>>>> }}}}} I feel so bad, Honey... I forgot to mention You & your Son specifically when i was praying for Suzanne & Joyce and for their sons the other day... and Your Son in Law is in the Military too, isn't he?  I 'm sorry I love you You are so brave You have had so many Family members in the Service and in the Wars and i know it has to be tough ... I love you & will definitely be keeping you and your Family in all of my thoughts & prayers
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Did You Stand?
May 20, 2005 I was sitting the other day in a crowded airport, waiting for a boarding call on my flight to Arizona. As I sat there , I noticed an old man sitting across from me facing the large picture window that gave passengers a view of the runway. The history of a life of hardship traced the old mans eyes as they stared into the twilight of his years, and as I watched, I saw tears rolling from those ancient steel gray eyes, leaving a trail of sadness that tore at my heart. I got up and walked to him and asked if I could join him. Without even looking up to identify me, he nodded, and I sat down, feeling awkward but intensely drawn to him in compassion for his quiet tears. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but notice you sitting here alone. Are you ok?" I asked. There was a deafening silence suddenly between us, for what seemed a long time, and finally he spoke in a voice that was worn and weary with age. "Did you stand when she walked by?" he asked. I was confused by his question, and a bit taken off guard by the tone of his voice that sounded almost accusatory. "I don't understand sir, , I answered. "Did you stand when she walked by?" he asked again, staring straight into my eyes. "Who?" I asked him. But he turned away from me, staring again at the tarmac just outside our window. I waited for an answer, but there was not going to be any. Our conversation was over it seemed, and I got up to leave, hearing the call to board that by this time, was welcome as an excuse to get out of an awkward situation. I started walking away, but was troubled and torn by his question. I boarded my plane after clearing the gate, found my seat , and settled into it, looking back at the terminal I had just left. He was there as I had left him, sitting alone facing the tarmac. I watched for several minutes, and in that time I noticed a number of people stop to visit with him, presumably to ask if he was ok, and then walk away, some of them shaking there heads, others just gone from view at a brisk pace. And still he sat , fixated on a plane that was resting about 300 yards away, surrounded by military personnel. As I watched, a small procession of 6 men carried a flag draped coffin away from the plane to a waiting hearse, where they stood after the rear door of the black car had been closed and they offer a salute as the car slowly drove away. I looked back toward the window of the terminal, and instantly my tears nearly blinded me when I saw the old man I had been talking to also offering a salute, but from his wheel chair now parked next to the window. Since our craft had used a rolling stair gantry for passenger access, I got up, and made my way to the door of the plane, and got off. I walked deliberately, heading for the terminal, making my way through the crowds to the old man at the window. I walked up beside him, faced the plane as yet another coffin draped with Old Glory was placed in a waiting hearse, and I slowly raised my hand in salute, allowing my hand to drop only when the hearse rolled out of view around a security fence. I turned slowly to the old man who by now was looking solidly into my soul with eyes of countless memories. "I know her name now sir, and I stood when she walked by." He was visibly moved, and he said to me in quavering voice ,"Thank you sir . . . for what you did. My greatest wish these days is to stand again for her, but I can't." I gave my legs in '43 and my oldest son in '67 to that Lady, so she could keep walking. It hurts when no one cares that she walks by. I missed my flight that day, but my heart and soul found wings to the heavens on the words of an 90 year old man who dared to share a heart full of memories with me and dared to remind me why Old Glory stills waves as the beacon of Hope in a lost world. By Robert VanDerslice |
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Edited by
Rapunzel
on
Wed 08/13/08 12:08 PM
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i just can't stay away from these stories...
they are heart wrenching... True... but tears are just the other side of joy  and we really cannot have one, without the other  I don't know if someone can really understand joy... unless we have truly experienced sorrow do we really know the ecstatic joy of being fully appreciated & absolutely truly loved ? unless perhaps, we know the all - encompassing pain of betrayal. of love we thought we had, but it was gone.  Stories that invoke such emotion, such love & respect a burning ache in your heart for the suffering of mankind they make me know i am alive & have a heart they help me appreciate life & love people much more another true story... A Forgotten Hero Who is that man I asked myself As I watched him from afar Sitting on a park-bench there, Trying to light an old cigar... I wondered where he had gotten it For the shape was not so round And so I whispered to myself Perhaps he found it on the ground- Being curious like I always am I wanted to find out more, because I write for the daily newspaper, and News is what I'm looking for... So I walked over to the man And asked, "Mind if I sit down"? He said "Please do my friend, I wish you would Cause no-one ever comes around"- I asked to see just what it was that He was holding in his hands... He said "just a couple old war Medals But folks today don't understand- I've been a 'tryin'to sell'em both so I can get a bite to eat But folks say no, they're out of style, World War Two medals are antiques." I gave the old timer a five dollar bill As I got up from the bench to leave And I said "you keep your precious Medals friend You've earned them I do believe." A day or so later I picked up a paper And was reading an article which said, A man was found on a park-bench And the poor old fellow was dead. No one seems to have known him, since He was homeless, no family, no land, Just a couple of old War Medals Which he clutched tightly in his hands... A Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart Tells us that he gave his best-and Now one more "Forgotten Hero" Is being laid to rest. Richard Hemphill |
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Edited by
Rapunzel
on
Wed 08/13/08 02:13 PM
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http://theprophet.blogsome.com/category/chapter-8-joy-and-sorrow/
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran < Joy & Sorrow > < chapter 8 > Then a woman said, “Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.” And he answered: Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises  was oftentimes filled with your tears. And how else can it be? The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven? And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?  When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.” But I say unto you, they are inseparable. Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed. Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy. Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced. When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall. |
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nice to see people havent forgotten us vets and current service personnel. lord knows iraq isnt as important to people nowadays, escpecially young kids it doesnt touch. (Ahem California, alot of college kids) but i didnt mind defending their rights and i never will. i just hope the army takes me back one day lol. bless you all though. warmed my day right up.
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nice to see people havent forgotten us vets and current service personnel. lord knows iraq isnt as important to people nowadays, escpecially young kids it doesnt touch. (Ahem California, alot of college kids) but i didnt mind defending their rights and i never will. i just hope the army takes me back one day lol. bless you all though. warmed my day right up. {{{ <<< bergeia >>> }}} Welcome to the site and to this thread... Thank you so much for your sweet comments... & thank you for your service in the Military I hope you feel welcome to stop in anytime... |
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A Proud American Soldier There's a proud American amongst us today, Who is a good friend to all; God, stand by him I Pray. I know he loves Thee, oh Lord, with a heart that's pure. Help him 'til you bring him home, all things to endure. Help his family to look in on him; our dear friend. He offered help to us, when he's down again and again. Has a heart as pure as gold, a friend in the true sense of the word, Lord, bring him the desires of his heart, his call to be heard. Look in on him Lord; see what he's going through there. Hear his voice dear Lord and heed our Prayer. Make him well again, Lord, if it's Thine own will. Give him the beauty you put before us, his heart to fill. Bring his family 'round about him, in his hour of need. Dear Lord, I know in my heart, he hath planted good seed. Bring forth the harvest dear God, for our friend today. Help him, in every need he hath, and God in every way. He went to war for our Country; He'll always live on . . . In our memory and in our hearts, and our Country, a song To be remembered through our lifetime ~ long may he reign? Please give me the pleasure of knowing him, there in Heaven, again. Pearlie Duncan Walker |
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How is everyone today? it just another day in the Army here wishin i was in the Arms of a gorgeous woman
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Edited by
Rapunzel
on
Thu 08/14/08 09:35 AM
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How is everyone today? it just another day in the Army here wishin i was in the Arms of a gorgeous woman  Hello There, Sweet William ... all is well here just another heat wave & an amazing full moon, we're enjoying too Thank you for Your Brave Dedication & Outstanding Service You have wisdom and life experience far beyond your years I am mighty proud & priviledged to have the honor of knowing you |
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American Soldier They ask him why he's leaving, why he's shipping off to fight. They fail to see what's on the line, all their freedoms, all their rights. Comprehension is beyond their grasps that someone's got to go. And while every breath may be his last no fear, no doubt will he ever show. Because he knows that if he dies in some far off foreign land, that his valiant efforts may save the lives of his countrymen, family, and friends. And that girl's picture in his pocket, though how he longs to hold her will forever be carried in the heart of this true American Soldier. By Clayton O'Connor |
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Ballad of a Soldier
I am a Soldier. My name is Freedom. I walk in the valley of the shadow of death. I fear no evil. I stand for courage, compassion, dignity, and life. My love is democracy. I am the light in darkness. I am the sword of the meek. I do not hate. My code is Justice. I do not pale in the face of danger. I will not turn a blind eye. I do not tolerate transgression. I am an Eagle. I empower the weak. I march boldly. I cry quietly. I sleep lightly. I love unconditionally. Call me in the night, I will come. Pray for me in the darkness, I will bring the lamp. Whisper my name, and I will hear. I am the blood of innocence. I have not one face, but many. I am a mother, a father, a son & a daughter. I am no one and I am everyone. I am a Soldier and Freedom is my name. By Juli Bailey 2003 |
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Backbone of the Army The grizzled old Sergeant stood at attention in his greens, In a ceremony to honor his service and his legacy, it seems. Twenty-plus years of sacrifice and giving America his best, Summed up in a two-line narrative and a medal pinned on his chest. Reflecting back on his life and the service that he has given, Shows this career was a calling, and for it he was certainly driven. Passion for God, Family, Country and comrades alike, Shone like a beacon when they handed him the mike. “The Backbone of the Army, that’s what we’re called, We make it happen, and it should be respected by all.” “Now, many came before us, and many have passed, I wasn’t the first, and I surely won’t be the last.” “I’ve carried the torch, with pride, just as far as I can, Now I’m passing it on, knowing that it’s in good hands.” “The Army’s in my blood, and you’re all in my heart, But, our past contributions, well they’re only a start.” “With high expectations, and a challenge that’s great, I know that you’re up to it, and I know you can’t wait.” “America is safe tonight, and you are the reason, You carry the torch through every storm and season.” “I leave you today, with great sadness and sorrow, Yet knowing, because of you, we’ve a brighter tomorrow.” He stood a little straighter as he shuffled away, With a tear on his cheek, for God’s help he did pray. Because of him and others, the Backbone is as strong as steel, And those baptized by the fire know well the honor that he feels. By John Belles |
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Call of America's Patriots “FREEDOM!” is the cry of the free man's military “FREEDOM!” is the cry of the proud citizen’s government “FREEDOM!” is the cry of the free nation’s patriots Like a choir of only the finest and proudest, they sing of freedom To the mountains, to prairies, to oceans white with foam They remind us of our liberties and freedoms Like the constitution does our nation's laws They also remind us of the great threat Like the riding horsemen the threat will bring suffering This threat is the inevitable war for freedom to come Freedom is not free, it has to be won Our great nation’s punishment for freeing others is to lose our freedom Do not fear, the will of the patriots is strong Like the mountains of the west they stand strong with national pride In the eyes of mine and yours the nation can’t be trusted Like the rattlers of the desert they go behind to cause harm Fighting, always, is the way of the true American To the Alamo to the flag raising at Iwo Jima Tragedies and triumphs is our countries base “Conquer we must, when our cause is it just” is only patriotic Like our national Anthem and that Star-Spangled Banner We must conjure up our nations pride and glory And let it be known to the ends of the earth Of our nation’s deathless ordeal Always and forever, the battle freedom shall last In the mind and soul, is America’s glory Like the simplest of melodies Our nation will be known for centuries to come In the war for our freedom we shall overcome In the battle for our Liberty we shall overcome To the heroes of the past, protecting us in heart To the heroes of the future, preparing for the inevitable war The State of our union is Strong and unbreakable It is a union of the world's freeborn republics As ours was created in struggle by will of the people It shall always remain The choirs of the land sing “God Bless America” The children of the land say “I Pledge Allegiance” The People of the land salute the Star-Spangled Banner But the Patriots of the land Call to the spirit of America: LIVE! America’s Glory has not Perished! By Carrington Reeves 8th Grade |
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hey there everyone I am having some Internet Security problems, & i have a lot of other things going on now. so...I'm just going to tell you, a head of time, that i am not going to be around much, for a while... |
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Edited by
Rapunzel
on
Fri 08/15/08 11:17 PM
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A Hero Only Dies
When He's Forgotten As long as you remember, And, you keep him in your heart, As long as you remember, Then, you'll never be apart A hero only dies when he's forgotten. A hero only dies when we forget. So, I promise to remember, And, to keep him in my heart. As long as I remember, Then, We'll never be apart. Jill Pall |
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