My sister (Cathy) sent this to me and I thought it deserved posting. One of my favorite movies is “Starship Troopers”. One of its premises is that to actually be a “citizen” one MUST serve in the military. Serving gives one the right to choose the country’s leaders and vote on its laws. One may live in and enjoy its freedoms, but the privileges of voting are reserved for those who have put their lives on the line and understand the cost. I don’t know that I fully agree… but in light of all that is happening it deserves thought… read on!

‘We know that the current state of affairs in our great nation has many civilians up in arms and excited to join the military.       

For those of you who can’t join, you can still lend a hand.  Here are a few of the areas where we (Vets) would like your assistance: 

1. The next time you see any adults talking (or wearing a hat) during the playing of the National Anthem – kick their ass.

2. When you witness, firsthand, someone burning the American Flag in protest – kick their ass.

3. Regardless of the rank they held while they served, pay the highest amount of respect to all veterans.  If you see anyone doing otherwise, quietly pull them aside and explain how these veterans fought for the very freedom they bask in every second.  Enlighten them on the many sacrifices these veterans made to make this Nation great. Then hold them down while a disabled veteran kicks their ass.

4 (GUYS) If you were n ever in the military, DO NOT pretend that you were.  Wearing battle dress uniforms (BDUs) or Jungle Fatigues, telling others that you used to be ‘Special Forces,’ and collecting GI Joe memorabilia, might have been okay when you were seven years old.  Now, it will only make you look stupid and get your ass kicked.

5. Next time you come across an Air Force member, do not ask them, ‘Do you fly a jet?’  Not everyone in the Air Force is a pilot.  Such ignorance deserves an ass-kicking (children are exempt).

6. If you witness someone calling the US Coast Guard ‘non-military’, Inform them of their mistake – and kick their ass.

7. Next time Old Glory (the US flag) prances by during a parade, get on your damn feet and pay homage to her by placing your hand over your heart.  Quietly thank the military member or veteran lucky enough to be carrying her – of course, failure to do either of those could earn you a severe ass-kicking.

8. Don’t try to discuss politics with a military member or a veteran.  We are Americans, and we all bleed the same, regardless of our party affiliation.  Our Chain of Command is to include our Commander-In-Chief (CinC).  The President (for those who didn’t know) is our CinC regardless of political party.  We have no inside track on what happens inside those big important buildings where all those representatives meet.  All we know is that when those civilian representatives screw up the situation, they call upon the military to go straighten it out.  If you keep asking us the same stupid questions repeatedly, you will get your ass kicked!

9. ‘Your mama wears combat boots.’ never made sense to me – stop saying It!  If she did, she would most likely be a vet and therefore could kick your ass!

10. Bin Laden and the Taliban are not Communists, so stop saying ‘Let’s go kill those Commies!’ And stop asking us where he is!  Crystal balls are not standard issue in the military.  That reminds me, if you see anyone calling those damn psychic phone numbers, let me know, so I can go kick their ass!

11. ‘Wingnut’ (Air Force), ‘Jarhead’ (Marines), ‘Grunt’ (Army), ‘Squid’ (Navy), ‘Puddle Jumpers’ (Coast Guard), etc., are terms of endearment we use describing each other. Unless you are a service member or vet, you have not earned the right to use them.  Using them could get your ass kicked.

12. Last, but not least, whether or not you become a member of the military, support our troops and their families.  Every Thanksgiving and religious holiday that you enjoy with family and friends, please remember that there are literally thousands of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen far from home wishing they could be with their families.  Thank God for our military and the sacrifices they make every day.  Without them, our country would get it’s ‘ass kick ed.

‘It’s the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press.’

‘It’s the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.’

‘It’s the Veteran, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.’

‘It’s the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.’

One more:

13. If you ever see anyone either standing for or singing the national anthem in Spanish – KICK THEIR ASS

Last one:

14. If you got this email and didn’t pass it on – guess what – you deserve to get your Ass KICKED!!!!!!!!!!!!

GeeGee's Baptist Home Roll of Honor

Devin’s Grandmother assembled this “Roll of Honor” at the Baptist Home in Rhinebeck NY to honor the loved ones of residents and employees who are serving in the Armed Forces.

This is the vehicle that is replacing the Hummer in Iraq.

Army’s new runabout in Iraq! (courtesy of wikipedia)

Shalom all!

papaj

Things here are going well.  We are getting ready for Christmas.  The boys are very excited.  I had to stop using the old, “do you want me to call Santa?” when they are naughty because I don’t think that will work for me in February or June!  We sure will miss you over the holidays.  We will have a big time next year when you are home. 

We are very proud of you.  There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t wonder how you are, or where you are for that matter!  Please just be safe and smart!  I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to talk to you before you left.  I had all these great things I was going to say in the voicemail, but I started to cry when I heard the beep!  Typical, I know!

Take care dude and we talk to you soon! We all love you bunches!

Devin's in Iraq!

Hello everyone, hope all is groovy in the hood. Things are good here. Can’t post on the Internet where I am or what I’m doing. Just know It’s sandy, windy and cold as hell.

Thank you for all the support! It feels good to know that I have family and friends to come home to. I have guys with me that don’t have families waiting for them. I feel great about the guys I’m with. You know it’s true what they say when you make a bond with the guys you’re in combat with. It’s a different kind of bond. I know that the guy next to me will take one for me if need be and I’d do the same, well… most of the guys!

I really don’t know how to reply to y’alls comments. I was never really good with words. Just know all of y’all are here with me… freezing our asses off right now B/C your 1st Sgt told you to pack them and send them ahead of you and now you don’t have them, so we are all cold as hell and you can’t say anything B/C he’s the 1st SGT. hahaha

Please every one keep writing B/C it’s nice to hear from home and to hear what everyone is doing.

Jarrett, you are with me bro, in this foxhole we dug all damn day! Grammy, thanks for the letters, I have them with me and please keep them coming. Papa, I feel honored to be following in your footsteps. Cat, Thanks for being my motorcycle buddy. Maybe we can hit a race when I come back. Lynn, I love you for being the great and loving Aunt a nephew always needs and tell Pat I won’t let him down. We will finish the job he started all those years ago. Karen, tell the boys I’ll send them some “way cool” stuff from the sand box and tell Troy to keep it up with the hunting. I look forward to having some deer when I get back.  Maybe we’ll take out his 4 wheelers.  

Mud and Dad… I don’t know what to say… some kids don’t get the chance to grow up like a normal kid should. I guess I was one of the lucky ones and Mom, thanks for giving Dad that second chance on your first date.

Love everyone from the “Box”

PFC, Carey

1-505 PIR 82nd Airborne Division

I wish I could follow him. I wish that I could share a foxhole with him.  I wish I could be there to kick anyone’s ass that has the yarbles to mess with MY kid brother.  I guess thats the Big brother in me.  Only i am allowed to pick on him, beat him up, or otherwise give him hell.

I guess I should realize that he can take care of himself from now on.  We’re not 12 years old anymore.  I dont have to defend him from the bullies on the bus.  He is now going to defend ME from the bullies in the Mid- East.

So here it is.  Devin…I am more proud of you than any big brother has ever been.  I’m proud of the man you are.  I am proud that you are my brother. 

I have a set of your dog tags.  I’m not taking them off till you get home.

better hurry…cause they chafe like hell

jarrett

DD,   You know we all love you. You know we are all so very proud of you.  What you need to keep in your mind, is far more scary than where you are going…..VERY IMPORTANT. If you don’t be careful, if you get even a scratch on your beautiful sweet self, there will be a long line to kick your bloomin arse…. THEN  We’ll make you spend loooong loooong days in your fathers company (with no Mud for a buffer) and  with no breaks!!  24/7.     (Love you big brother, but that should scare him safe….

When we can I’ll send PICS of the winter here in Colorado.  Snowed Thanksgiving night and all day Friday, cold as heck Saturday and it was 60 and breezy today.  I love it here.  Have pics of my ‘house of misfit pets’, too, of course.

Post when you can and please be safe. We love you and pray for you and all your mates. HEY, if it occurs to you, tell us what all you guys can have and share….and who has no one writing to him/her and we can introduce ourselves and spread around the friendship, pride, THANKS and wishes.  It’ll be fun!!  My co-workers at the PD can ‘adopt a soldier’!!  COOL!  I’m sure you’ll be a bit busy, but when you can…..

Love you DD and our thoughts are with you all, ‘n hey, just cuz everyone else jumps outta planes, doesn’t mean you gotta be a lemming….

Yer favritist Anty on yer Pa’s side, ever ever ever,

The Cat

Your mom and dad do a fantastic job with this site, we’re so glad to be able to keep up with you and all of your achievements! Life here for us is ordinary, we certainly aren’t doing anything nearly as interesting or honorable as you so I will just tell you that Troy and I keep you close in our thoughts and prayers and will continue to do so.  Stay safe, remain strong and full of courage, keep positive thoughts and continue to smile!  Always, always remember that we are here at home supporting you. We miss you, we love you to pieces and we are sending BIG cozy bear hugs your way!!  Thank you for your service, sacrifice and dedication!!!  With much love and admiration – Troy, Karen, Austin & Dylan ♥

I am used to doing hard things. First of all, there’s that whole pregnancy and birthing process. I learned how to clean a dirty diaper, clean up barfed milk and hotdogs, bloody noses, cuts and bedrooms. I’ve had to guess who had the toy first; I’ve tried to decide who pushed who first and who took the last cookie. I’ve held a crying child because they were sick, was picked last on the playground, or a friend wasn’t quite as loyal as thought. I’ve seen all my children drive away by themselves as they try out their driver’s license, I’ve made many trips to the hospital as a result of car and motorcycle wrecks and made many, many calls to the insurance companies. I’ve been there to see my children pick life mates and see them walk down the aisle or wait nervously and anxiously at the end of the aisle. I’ve watched my children struggle with raising their own children and keeping my mouth shut.

Like I said, I’m a mother, I do hard things. Sunday, I had to hug my youngest child and tell him goodbye because he is doing a hard thing.

I think back and wonder – did I hold him enough, did I discipline him enough, did I teach him everything he’ll need to know – did I love him enough, does he know how much I love him? But, this I do know, I raised a fine, respectable, honest American boy to manhood. This is Devin’s decision and I am here to support it. I want it said here that he is not doing this to make any political statement or to support “George Bush’s” war. He is doing this for his love of his country. He is following many great men and women who have served their country honorably, including both of his grandfathers.

I’m a mother, I do hard things, I love my children so much that their dreams become my dreams.

I love you, Dude, be a good boy…….