"It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protestor to burn the flag."
- Father Dennis Edward O'Brian, USMC
(often incorrectly attributed to Charles M. Province)
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
- George Orwell (attributed)
"Never in the face of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few."
- Winston Churchill ("Battle of Britain")
"If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live."
- Martin Luther King, Jr
"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
- John F. Kennedy
"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong."
- Abraham Lincoln
American Soldier by Toby Keith
I'm just trying to be a father,
Raise a daughter and a son,
Be a lover to their mother,
Everything to everyone.
Up and at 'em bright and early,
I'm all business in my suit,
Yeah, I'm dressed for success from my head down to my boots,
I don't do it for money, there's bills that I can't pay,
I don't do it for the glory, I just do it anyway,
Providing for our future's my responsibility,
Yeah I'm real good under pressure, being all that I can be,
And I can't call in sick on Mondays when the weekends been to strong,
I just work straight through the holidays,
And sometimes all night long.
You can bet that I stand ready when the wolf growls at the door,
Hey, I'm solid, hey I'm steady, hey I'm true down to the core,
And I will always do my duty, no matter what the price,
I've counted up the cost, I know the sacrafice,
Oh, and I don't want to die for you,
But if dyin's asked of me,
I'll bear that cross with an honor,
'Cause freedom don't come free.
I'm an American soldier, an American,
Beside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a stand,
When liberty's in jeopardy I will always do what's right,
I'm out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight.
American soldier, I'm an American,
An American,
An American soldier
Very nice tribute Michelle. Hope you had a good weekend. Is that house remodel done yet? I wanted you to know I was thinking of you. The holidays will be here before we know it. Will keep you and the family (Dave also) in my prayers. I will stop by this week with cartridges.
ReplyDeleteOh Shell
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to our soldiers, to our veterans; the men and woman that served our country. My father served our country, never at war, but yet served this country. Sometimes I think people get so wrapped up in being for and against the war that we forget these are real people out there making a living; real people out there missing their families; real people coming home in flag drapped coffins. Everyone should say "Thank You" and forget their beliefs even for just one moment in time . . . .
Chelle:
ReplyDeleteI spent this weekend with my dad, a WWII and Korean war veteran, and my nephew Michael, an Iraqi war veteran. On Saturday, we went to a ceremony to honor veterans here in Waxahachie. It was very moving, and in fact, there was more than one time that I saw tears on my father's face. Rob was a veteran also, and I certainly did not keep a dry eye as these men were recognized and saluted.
I think it is true, that whether or not we agree with the reasons for war, we should always agree that our soldiers deserve our respect for the job they do and the sacrifices they make on our behalf. Thank you for being right on top of this, as you usually are about so many things!!
Love, Claudia
How beautiful this is Chelle. And thank you, for reminding us all. We must never, ever forget our veterans and all who are fighting for our freedom. Lou was in the reserves, I didn't know him then, but I'm proud of it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this .
ps.
ReplyDeleteChelle, thanks for teaching me how to paragraph in html, I'll give it a try! So far you have put the photos on my blog, and the counter. Where would I be without you, my technical advisor (among other things???). Love u my friend.
That is a wonderful tribute, hon. We had a great visit with you and the kids, tho short. Your Aunt Anita and Grandmother Loree & I are so proud of you (& your sister) for being able to do all the various things you do, and so well. Your floor is lovely. We will miss you this Thanksgiving but are looking forward to seeing you at Christmas. Love - Mom
ReplyDelete