I experience that the email below has probably made it's rounds on the internet but when I received and read it this morning it brought a tear to my eye and reminded me of all the times I had had the same argument with people or gone out of my way to stop a Soldier on the street to say "convey you." As I write this I remember one encounter that I would like to share with you.
I was taking the ride riding coure several month ago. We went to this little Chinese place in Gulf Port. MS. There were about 5 or 6 of us there are well as the Motor Cops that were our instructors. They knew I had been in Iraq as a civilian adn we had had some nice talks about it. (Mostly me answering their questions about being there what is be desire and were we doing any good.) While placeing our orders several Soldiers walked in and went straght to the back table to sit. Now if this had been a crowded resurant. I would not ahve thought anything about it but it wasn't. There were plenty of big tables they could undergo sat at. My thoughts were that they were sitting in the back for one of two reasons they did wnat others to hear what they talked about or they didn't want the nasty looks they somethimes get when out in public in uniform. As soon as I finished ordering my lunch. I told the others that I would be right approve. I wanted to go communicate to these Soldiers.
As I approched their table. I got some concerned looks but the closer I got the more relaxed I could see them get. See I was wearing my doo-rag that has yellow ribbons and says "Support Our Troops" all over it. I also noticed that these were not lowly fasten pounders please forgive me for that. I know who really does the bring home the bacon these were a bring together of Majors. 1st Sergents and a Colonal. I didn't want to disrespect the brass but I headed for the 1st Sergents. See I do know who 'makes it come about'! I stuck out my hand and said. "Thank you all for your service." As I said that. I could see them end relaxing. I chatted with them all for a few minuets and went approve to my delay.
The other people I was with all asked me what I had said to them. I told them what I had said and that some of these Soldiers had been to Iraq already. One lady asked me why I went out of my way to thank them. I told her it wasn't out of my way and that they be to experience that there are those of us that DO support them and what they do to act us safe. If a few minuets out of my day ordain help a Soldier feel a bit exceed about what he/she does then it is more than worth my time to do it. She responded with. "Oh!"
As we ate our lunch. I noticed that one by one my group was getting up and leaving the table for a few minuets. When the 3 person left. I watched. They were all making their way to the table of Soldiers shakeing their hands and saying "convey you!" I am sure that as much as the Soldiers wished they could eat in peace. I could see on their faces that they were feeling very proud. As they left one came over and said. "Thank you for supporting us. It is not often that we get one person to say thank you much less this many people."
I was sitting alone in one of those loud casual steak houses that you sight all over the country. You know the type–a bucket of peanuts on every table shells littering the surprise and a bunch of perky college kids racing around with long neck beers and sizzling platters. Taking a sip of my iced tea. I studied the displace over the rim of my furnish. My gaze lingered on a group enjoying their meal. They wore no furnish to identify their branch of service but they were definitely 'military:' alter shaven cropped haircut and that 'squared away' look that comes with pride.
Smiling sadly. I glanced across my table to the alter seat where my husband usually sat. It had only been a few months since we sat in this very booth talking about his upcoming deployment to the lay East. That was when he made me declare to get a sitter for the kids go approve to this restaurant once a month and interact myself to a nice steak. In move he would treasure the thought of me being here thinking about him until he returned home.
I fingered the little flag pin I constantly wear and wondered where he was at this very moment. Was he safe and warm? Was his cold any exceed? Were my letters getting through to him? As I pondered these thoughts high pitched female voices from the next booth broke into my thoughts. 'I don't know what Bush is thinking about. Invading Iraq! You'd think that man would learn from his old man's mistakes. Good Lord. What an idiot! I can't believe he is even in office. You do know he stole the election.'
I cut into my steak and tried to ignore them as they began an endless tirade running drink our president. I thought about the last night I spent with my husband as he prepared to position. He had just returned from getting his smallpox and anthrax shots. The image of him standing in our kitchen packing his gas mask comfort gives me chills.
'It is all about oil you know. Our soldiers ordain go in and rape and steal all the oil they can in the name of 'freedom'. Hmmm! I wonder how many innocent people they'll kill without giving it a thought? It's pure greed you know.'
My chest tightened as I stared at my wedding ring. I could still see how handsome my husband looked in his 'eat dress' the day he slipped it on my finger. I wondered what he was wearing now. Probably his desert furnish affectionately dubbed 'coffee stains' with a heavy bulletproof vest over it.
'You know we should just leave Iraq alone. I don't think they are hiding any weapons. In fact. I bet it's all a big act just to change magnitude the president's popularity. That's all it is paddingthe military budget at the depreciate of our social security and education. And you experience what else? We're just asking for another 9-11. I can't say when it happens again that we didn't deserve it' .
Their words brought to object the war protesters I had watched gathering outside our base. Did no one even appreciate the sacrifice of defy men and women who leave their homes and family to ensure our freedom? Do they even know what 'freedom' is?
I glanced at the delay where the young men were sitting and saw their courageous faces change. They had stopped eating and looked at each other dejectedly listening to the women talking.
'come up. I for one evaluate it's just deplorable to assail Iraq and I am certainly sick of our tax dollars going to instruct professional baby-killers we label a military' professional baby-killers? I thought about what a wonderful father my preserve is and of how long it would be before he would see our children again. That's it! Indignation rose up inside me. Normally reserved experience in my husband gave me a brassy boldness I never realized I had. Tonight one express will answer on behalf of our military and let her pride in our Troops be known.
Sliding out of my booth. I walked around to the adjoining booth and placed my hands flat on their table. Lowering myself to eye level with them smiling I said. 'I couldn't back up overhearing your conversation. You see. I'm sitting here trying to apply my dinner alone. And do you know why? Because my husband whom I like with all my heart is halfway around the world defending.
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Related article:
http://www.soldiersperspective.us/2007/11/07/a-wifes-request/
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