Well - my heart is breaking in two....my son had to leave tuesday afternoon instead of wednesday..it was the only flight he could arrange to catch up with the unit that is deploying out (from dallas/ft.worth).
So he hugged me tight...and I watched the car pull away and cried my heart out....I am angry our visit was so short...there was so much more we all wanted to do...so much more to say...but in the end saying I LOVE YOU is all that really matters.
He lost even more weight due to being out in the field for 10 days of survival, before coming home...he is now officially a PFC in Military Intelligence....suffice it to say...yes he will be fighting the Iraqi in terrorist cells located in the Phillipines...he has a hard road ahead of him..all I can do is pray and hope that he stays safe.
He is already orientated to what he will be doing specifically and where exactly and of course for his safety it is all under wraps...nothing told to us...so we can just sit and wait for the phone calls or emails and see what happens. He won an award for Military Interrogation (which is his specific field) - I am proud of him and worried out of my mind.
He did tell us of incidents of people (civilians in the US - even a handful of veterans) that have walked up to him - cussing him out because he is a soldier...for wearing a uniform that represents death, for being involved with the military that are killing innocent people. Yes there are many more people that say THANK YOU...but he said it does mess up his head (his words)..hurts him to think that there are actually americans out there that would say such hurtful things TO any soldier willing to keep their freedoms free.
Of course we talked about it....tried to show him that it takes all kinds to make up this country and that is part of what he is fighting for....but his only wish is that they would NOT say it TO HIS FACE....because it takes everything inside of him NOT to go off...so my son replied by saying to these people: "THANKS for letting me know how you feel and walked away."
Yes I watch the news and I am well aware that there are people out there that are dead set against the war....it is one thing to express that but to express it in the face of a soldier makes me SICK!!!
So here is my advice - if my sons being in the military upsets you in any way, shape or form because you believe it is wrong - SCREW YOU!!
Don't bother coming to my journal...People like you are worthless in my life....I have no time for you...
for those of you that support my sons...BLESS YOUR HEART...you will always have a place in my life!!!
I have always been a firm believer in the quote:
"I may not agree with what you say or believe but I will defend your
right to say or believe it...."
BUT DON'T HURT MY KID!!!!
I will add some pics as soon as I upload them....for the last 36 or so hours we have just been unstressing from the whole quick visit and trying to plan out our first care package to send him. If you all have any ideas...I am so open to suggestions...I like the idea of sending christmas candy since it only comes out once a year and that is something he will not find in Japan. Oh - his base station is Camp Zama...how cool of a name...unique!
On a different note - we just got my daughter's final senior portraits in the mail yesterday - so as soon as I can, I will scan one to show you all...
I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is already upon us...GEEZ I have lost all track of time...We were going to go out and not deal with all the cooking and such since there was only going to be my hunnie and me..BUT..my daughter will not be going to my parents house because we just could not get a flight that was NOT an arm and a leg in cost...it costs more to fly in the state of Fla then for me to fly to Puerto Rico or New York or even California...so she is staying home..so now hunnie wants to cook at home...he is all into it...and already has ideas of what to cook...he will do most of the cooking..what a cutie!!!
Well I think I have preached enough and let out a bit of my rants and raves...Oh BTW - I have been creating everyday in my art blog so PLEASE go check it out and let me know what you think. Here is the link:
Below is a poem I received in my box today and thought I would share it, since it seemed to fit in a bit with this entry...(have a tissue handy)
From the daughter of a soldier - Worth a read to the very end!
Last week, I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer.
I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.
Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their uniforms, as they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering.
When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded And cheered for, it hit me.
I'm not alone.
I'm not the only red blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.
Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work, and enjoy our home without fear or reprisal.
Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of Our service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers.
He knelt down and said "hi," the little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her.
The young soldier didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy.
Suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.
The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Corporal and had been in Afghanistan for 5 months now.
As the mum was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up.
When this temporarily single mum was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second.
Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie.
They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.
After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you."
He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
He finished by saying "Your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon."
The mum at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mum.
I was standing no more than 6 feet away as this entire event unfolded.
As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause.
As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including my own.
That young soldier in one last act of moment turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.
We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices.
At the end of the day, it's good to be an American.
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Until Next Time ...... Remember to HUG those you LOVE...you never know about tomorrow!!!
PEACE
