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You Earned My Independence Day

July 04, 2003


I wrote this open letter to all the soldiers I know, past and present and for all the soldiers I probably will never know- my appreciation and respect for your service has no words, but I tried anyway.
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I sit here typing, while my children are shifting from foot to foot begging for darkness to fall. They want to throw some loud things down on the ground with a bang, see huge light displays in the sky and wave their sparklers around. Seldom besides Christmas have they ever requested night time to happen any sooner than necessary. I laugh a little. To them THIS is what Independence Day is- fireworks and a lot of "oohs and ahs"….. But seeing them smile and giggle reminds me further of what it actually means to me. These giggling reminders are what have moved me to write this letter of thanks to you today.

It is because of you and the men and women you served with that my children are safe. It is because of men and women just like you that I have the freedom to wave a sparkler around and have reason to be thankful for the independence that no others in the world share. In America I am asked to vote my opinion on matters that are significant. Only in a country like this would I be given the opportunity to prove I can do something others might not have even thought possible in their own lives. In American I am innocent until I am proven guilty- not guilty merely because I may be accused of something.

Where else but America would someone likely stand up for someone else who needs a little help? Someone stood up for me once and I repay the favor every chance I am given. It is because of men and women like you that the rockets that my children want me to light make a few sparks and a loud noise and everyone giggles-meant to celebrate the freedom in our lives. They are not the rockets that maim and destroy, taking the very life from the children who touch them. How many places in the world have you- our soldiers been- that the children have no dreams or hopes, except to find food and shelter and to live another day?

How did I ever earn such fortune I wonder to myself. The answer is of course, that I didn't earn any of it. People like you and my grandfathers during World War II and Gene, Walt, Buzz, Wayne, Bart and Jim all veterans of the Vietnam War- all men I am so honored and lucky to have met- earned this right for me. How can I ever repay you? I am not sure I can. What have I done to show myself worthy of gifts you have given me? I just don't know. I mean to live a good life and to never forget that I was given an opportunity that so many others have not. I will probably never be a soldier, never sleep in a trench, never be truly afraid or truly alone, all of the things you have been for me. But I will remember that you did those things for me.

I will always honor and fight for those men and women whose names are written on that granite wall, or who cannot fight for themselves anymore. I will always remember Bennie Lee Dexter whose name I wear on a band on my wrist. I will always stand up for what I think is right and for those who cannot protect themselves. I will not be silent when there is something to say, because surely the cost to me is not as great as what I would pay by being silent or turning the other cheek. Your sacrifices will never be for nothing. I will always remember you.
I will always respect you and always,
to my last day on the soil you have fought for - and always be grateful for my Independence Day.

Thank you,

Joni Bour



Amen......thank you Joni...

i feel the exact same way

Obviously, you failed world history.

Very nice!!!!

oh, and here is one more


http://www.usa-patriotism.com/stories/nfpowr_day-01.htm


i missed the April 9th date..

but the message is just as poignant, nevertheless



National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day

April 9, 2007


Today is National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, as ordered by President Bush.
So, in honor of this day, I present to you photos and stories of two ex-POWs: Booker T. Johnson, ex-POW of the Korean War and Robbie Risner, ex-POW of the Vietnam War.

I first met Booker T. Johnson on Memorial Day 2001. It was my first Memorial Day here in Texarkana, and my first service to attend. He came up to me, shook my hand, smiled, and thanked me for attending. I did not know until I arrived at the next service (I had attended the second of three services held on Memorial day), that Booker T. was an ex-POW of the Korean War. Given the fact that I became involved with veterans because of being first involved in the POW/MIA issue, this was exciting.

I only ever saw Booker T. at Memorial Day services and again following the Veterans Day parade, when he would come to McDonald's to receive his free meal. (The owner of the local McDonald's gives free meals to veterans every year following the Veterans Day parade and the veteran groups help man the sign-in tables).
Sadly, Booker T. was called Home late last year. He was a good Christian man who endured more than three years as a prisoner of war in Korea, and I am truly blessed to have known him.


Robbie Risner was one of the longest held POWs in the Vietnam War. He was shot down on 16 September 1965, and released on 12 February 1973. Risner also served in World War II and Korea, having flown over 100 missions in Korea. I had the honor of meeting Brig. Gen. Risner in Branson in June 2005, when I volunteered at Operation Homecoming USA, a national Welcome Home event for Vietnam Veterans. Risner was the guest speaker for the Friday morning opening services, and managed not to cry while speaking. Following his talk, many of us got the chance to meet and talk with him. I told him Thank You! and mentioned my website dedicated to POWs/MIAs and also to those like him, returned POWs. We did not talk long, but by the time we finished, we were both crying.

You really do need to read his bio, especially the last parts, when it talks about the Air Force Academy dedication of a nine-foot tall statue, which was commissioned by Ross Perot (whom I also got to meet in Branson; he was responsible for putting the homecoming together). It was a great honor to meet this true American hero.
James Robinson "Robbie" Risner


Stacey N. Binning

Fanta...you are so funny...

do i sense a " slight" tad of jealousy ???


hmmmmmmmmm.....????

Just america and nazi germany eh?

... and every other nation/empire on Earth.

Well in modern histroy, say after ww2 america stands as far as being involved in wars. Shall I list them for you?

LMAO
Jealous of what?

I simply stated an obvious fact!

Perhaps my dear Rapunzel you are simply smitten by a supposititious idea.

Hmm???

Given that every war is suspect of foul governmental play, your inclusion of just the ones where America was involved destroys your credibility as an intelligent, forward thinking individual.

Oh and btw, if you really want to present yourself as a patriot, I suggest you not hang your own country's flag upside down. You're not really helping your case.

it was rejected....so what's your point

Technically, a formal declaration of war needs to be requested by the President and approved by congress. This has only happened 5 times in the history of the United States (War of 1812, Mexican-American War, Spanish-American War, WWI, and WWII).

However, Congress has also authorized many acts of war without formal declarations. These include but are not limited to the Vietnam War, Invasion of Panama (Operation Just Cause), Persian Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm), Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom), and the Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom).

In total, United States soldiers have been involved in roughly 300 (appx. 289) conflicts, attacks, wars, operations, occupations, and policing events since the formation of the country. 0
Pts

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/137393

So? How exactly does this address your earlier point? The fact that nations go to war is hardly something new, let alone the idea that nations actively plan wars. That's the way political orders work. Have you ever read Machiavelli?