If you were one, if you are one, this one's for all the military men and women who help make this site - and ones like it - possible. THANK YOU! Freedom isn't free. Tell us your stories, introduce us to your soldier, share your thoughts. Some Clay County soldiers we've heard from/about on this site:
WESLEY ARMES (Iraq), CHARLIE BURDETTE (Kuwait), "P" (In the Gulf), JAKE SAMPLES (Kuwait-for the moment), GREG WESTFALL (Iraq), ROGER MOORE (Iraq), RYAN DUFFIELD (Leaving for Iraq 12/9), ROBERT C. SWINDLER(Quantico Virginia), SHAWN D. WOODS (Camp Leguene N.C), PHILLIP RANGEL (Camp Leguene N.C).
"The Lone Stranger" (Vietnam/Korean War Vet)
24 comments:
How asinine is it that healthy young American men and women at the ripe ol' age of 18 can be sent off to war to face horrors most of us can't imagine, yet can't legally buy their own beer for another 3 years?
It is totally asinine that an 18-year old cannot buy beer but can be sent off to war. Just another unnecessary law made to be broken. If an 18-year wants beer, they will find a way to get it and subject themselves and someone else to criminal charges. They can buy tobacco products legally. Don't make a lick of sense. All the hoopla about nicotine addiction. What about alcohol addiction. At least nicotine doesn't effect one's ability to think straight. Go figure.
Perhaps our esteemed Legislature thought (and I'm assuming to do think sometimes before they act) that this no buying beer under 18 thing would be a deterrent to keep teens from drinking but it has not and will not if the lad or lass wants beer or anything else alcoholic. Given the choice of my son drinking beer or going to war, well, that's just a no brainer. I would buy the beer for him myself. Some may think this makes me an irresponsible parent but that's just how I feel. Anyway, I would hope that one good case of the brown-bottle flu would be enough to keep him from drinking. Sure did work for me. One was enough. And hangovers are temporary. Death is final.
I cannot find words enough to thank all our military men and women. The fact that I can sit here in my home and type this message is because a price is being paid now and has been paid in the past by our brave military men and women. To all of you, be safe and know that you are so very much appreciated.
Thanks, Rose. This is a wonderful idea. I have no family members currently serving in the military but have had in the past. I am so grateful to all of them, past and present, for paying the price of our freedom which we all take so much for granted.
Reply to "claycountygirl" -- I think I get your point but still a thank you to our miitary would be nice. Where would we be if no one "signed up".
I don't think the intention of this particular subject is the right or wrong of under-age drinking. If I'm wrong, Rose, let me know, but my take of the purpose of this dialogue was to recognize and give thanks to our kids and grand kids that are serving their country and give people as chance to share some of their experiences with military service. Let me know.
VERY GOOD, b.michaelsrulz!!! First try, no hints!
Not just the military men & women who "sign up" for the military, but also those who were drafted, had no idea what they were in for or what was expected of them & proudly served their country anyway. Past or present, they all deserve our gratitude.
A fine example of no matter what you say, people hear what they want to & run with it.
I received this in an email I thought I'd send it on to you Rose. Post it if you would like.
The other day, my nine year old son wanted to know why we were at
war...My husband looked at our son and then looked at me. My husband and I were in the Army during the Gulf War and we would be honored to serve and defend our Country again today. I knew that my husband would give him a good explanation. My husband thought for a few minutes and then
told my son to go stand in our front living room window.
He said "Son, stand there and tell me what you see?"
"I see trees and cars and our neighbor's houses." he replied.
"OK, now I want you to pretend that our house and our yard is the United States of America and you are President Bush."
Our son giggled and said "OK."
"Now son, I want you to look out the window and pretend that every house and yard on this block is a different country" my husband said.
"OK Dad, I'm pretending."
"Now I want you to stand there and look out the window and pretend you see Saddam come out of his house with his wife, he has her by the hair and is hitting her. You see her bleeding and crying. He hits her in the face, he throws her on the ground, then he starts to kick her to death. Their children run out and are afraid to stop him, they are screaming and crying, they are watching this but do nothing because they are kids and they are afraid of their father. You see all of this, son....what do you do?"
"Dad?"
"What do you do son?"
"I'd call the police, Dad."
"OK. Pretend that the police are the United Nations. They take your
call. They listen to what you know and saw but they refuse to help. What do you do then son?"
"Dad.......... but the police are supposed to help!" My son starts to whine.
"They don't want to son, because they say that it is not their place or your place to get involved and that you should stay out of it," my husband says.
"But Dad...he killed her!!" my son exclaims.
"I know he did...but the police tell you to stay out of it. Now I want you to look out that window and pretend you see our neighbor who you're pretending is Saddam turn around and do the same thing to his children."
"Daddy...he kills them?"
"Yes son, he does. What do you do?"
"Well, if the police don't want to help, I will go and ask my next door neighbor to help me stop him." our son says.
"Son, our next door neighbor sees what is happening and refuses to get involved as well. He refuses to open the door and help you stop him," my husband says.
"But Dad, I NEED help!!! I can't stop him by myself!!"
"WHAT DO YOU DO SON?" Our son starts to cry.
"OK, no one wants to help you, the man across the street saw you ask for help and saw that no one would help you stop him. He stands taller and puffs out his chest. Guess what he does next son?"
"What Daddy?"
"He walks across the street to the old ladies house and breaks down
her door and drags her out, steals all her stuff and sets her house on fire and then...he kills her. He turns around and sees you standing in the window and laughs at you. WHAT DO YOU DO?"
"Daddy..."
"WHAT DO YOU DO?" Our son is crying and he looks down and he whispers, "I'd close the blinds, Daddy."
My husband looks at our son with tears in his eyes and asks him. "Why?"
"Because Daddy.....the police are supposed to help people who needs
them...and they won't help.... You always say that neighbors are
supposed to HELP neighbors, but they won't help either...they won't help me stop him...I'm afraid....I can't do it by myself Daddy.....I can't look out my window and just watch him do all these terrible things
and...and.....do nothing...so....I'm just going to close the blinds.... so I can't see what he's doing........and I'm going to pretend that it is not happening."
I start to cry. My husband looks at our nine year old son standing in the window, looking pitiful and ashamed at his answers to my husband's questions and he says...
"Son"
"Yes, Daddy."
"Open the blinds because that man.... he's at your front door... "WHAT DO YOU DO?"
My son looks at his father, anger and defiance in his eyes. He balls up his tiny fists and looks his father square in the eyes, without
hesitation he says: "I DEFEND MY FAMILY DAD!! I'M NOT GONNA LET HIM HURT MOMMY OR MY SISTER, DAD!!! I'M GONNA FIGHT HIM, DAD, I'M GONNA FIGHT
HIM!!!!!"
I see a tear roll down my husband's cheek and he grabs our son to his chest and hugs him tight, and says... "It's too late to fight him, he's too strong and he's already at YOUR front door son.....you should have stopped him BEFORE he killed his wife, and his children and the old lady across the way. You have to do what's right, even if you have to do it alone, before its too late." my husband whispers. THAT scenario I just gave you is WHY we are at war with Iraq. When good men stand by and let evil happen son, THAT is the greatest atrocities in the world won't affect him.
"YOU MUST NEVER BE AFRAID TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT! EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO DO IT ALONE!" BE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! BE PROUD OF OUR TROOPS!! SUPPORT THEM!!! SUPPORT AMERICA SO THAT IN THE FUTURE OUR CHILDREN WILL NEVER HAVE TO CLOSE THEIR BLINDS..."
This should be printed in every newspaper and posted in every school in America. Of course that won't happen so we'll use the internet. If your blinds are closed do nothing with this email. If they are open I do not need to tell you what to do.
GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Rose and claycountygirl. Got that all cleared up in a hurry. Hope everyone remembers what we're talking about on this particular date on this particular page.
Hi Rose
Thanks for mentioning us guys over here. We will be leaving kuwait soon and headed north into iraq. We dont know the exact date, thats something we wont know until the day prior.
I think Jake Samples might be in my unit, there is a youngin here that is a samples from somewhere over toward maysel. But i dont know his first name. Greg Westfall and Roger Moore are both here with me and they are both from clay county.
As far as that drinking age, i have read where some states are passing laws to bypass the federal statutes. I have read lawmakers in Wisconsin are trying pass a law that underage drinking for a service member will be an automatic $10 fine and that money will go to the Veterans Affairs. Along with that the offense will not go on the service members record.
With that in place it is still illegal and the state still meets federal government guidelines. But gives 18-20 military members some freedom to drink. That was featured in one of our recent soldiers magazines.
well gotta run
Wesley
Hey Girlfriend~
Limited time here, just thought I'd pop in for a alook around. Where's all the action tonight?? Did you piss everybody off???
CB
No action over here, chicky mama! This is the Military Board - they're all in a different time zone, ya know. Hmm. Sleeping?? Or going to work?? Hey, ya reckon any of them are single???
HEY, WES!! How's it goin'?? This board's for y'all, man!
Wisconsin needs to share it's intelligence with the rest of the nation. It's not so much I want a bunch of drunken, armed soldiers running around, but by gosh, if you have to be armed in the first place, you ought to at least be able to buy a beer!
I wonder if the laws are the same in other countries?? I'm sure it's not in France, but they don't have soldiers, do they?? BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Take care & keep in touch!!
please put ryan duffield on your list he is 18 years old leaving for irag dec 9
Done! Thanks for letting us know!
Ryan, thank you. Stay safe. We'll keep you in our thoughts and prayers, along with the rest of our Hometown (& Unknown!) Heroes.
we finally made it to iraq. 3 months away from home and we made it to our destination yesterday.
Wesley
noticed mr. Waddell in his news today said those of us who lived through the Vietnam era, not those of us who were in Vietnam. myself I was there at least 4 times in the merchant marine . we were carrying ammo and supplies. in case anyone is wondering I am also a korean war vet.
the lone stranger
WESLEY! Thanks for touching base! I think the motto of the military is "Hurry up and wait" isn't it? That's what Uncle Steve says! Hope all is relatively well over there. Let us know if there's anything we can do for you from this side of the world. I got a request for your email address the other day. I don't have it or even know how often you can access, but you've got a fan club, so if you want to share, I can pass it along.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF & KEEP IN TOUCH!
LoneStranger - I copied this one over on the "Uncle Sam's World Traveler's" page, too & added your nickname.
I'd be honored if you'd allow me to post your real name but respect your wishes if you'd rather not.
My own Pappy is a Korean vet & has lost many, many friends with whom he served in Korea and Vietnam.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WORLD WE ENJOY TODAY.
Hey, Wes? I updated your whereabouts on the Homepage & jumped to the conclusion that the guys who were in Kuwait with you also went to Iraq. Yes? No? I might have to rethink that part...
TAKE CARE!
Yep, you guessed right. Everyone that i said was with me is now in iraq. we all travelled at different times, but made it safe and we are all the same place.
Here is my email for anyone that wants to send a note.WCLJT@AOL.COM right now i have access to the net everyday and will until i start working in my mission status, which will be about a week. After that I will probably only be able to get online about once a week.
Wesley
I copied this one from the Christmas board. PLEASE NOTE: Feel free to translate "Marine" into "AMERICAN SOLDIER."
Mr. Ed said...
Hey Rose, I thought U might like this. Post it if U want. Mr. Ed
Marines are taught two things:
1) Keep your priorities in order
2) Know when to act without hesitation.
A Marine was attending a college course between missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The professor, an avowed atheist, shocked the class one day when he walked in, looked toward the ceiling, and said loudly, "God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you exactly 15 minutes."
The lecture room fell silent and the professor began his lecture. Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, "Here I am God - still waiting."
It got down to the last minute when the Marine stood up, walked toward the professor and threw his best punch knocking him off the platform and out cold. The Marine went back to his seat and sat down.
The other students were shocked and stunned and sat there looking on in silence. The professor came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, "What is the matter with you? Why did you do that?"
The Marine calmly replied, "God is busy today protecting America's soldiers who are protecting your right to behave like an idiot and say stupid stuff. So, He sent me."
HO, HO, HO, MERRY CHRISTMAS!
HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY & REMEMBER..
DON'T EAT "YELLOW SNOW!"
ROSE Could you please add Robert C Swindler(Quantico Virginia),Shawn D Woods.(Camp Leguene N.C)Phillip Rangel.(Camp Leguene N.C).
Yeah, I can do that! It'd be an honor.
Thanks, guys!
TEXAS PHILOSOPHER
Bubba Bechtol, part time City Councilman from Midland, TX, was asked on a local live radio talk show the other day just what he thought of the allegations of torture of the Iraqi prisoners.
His reply prompted his ejection from the studio, but to thunderous applause from the audience.
"If hooking up an Iraqi prisoner's scrotum to a car's battery cables will save one American GI's life, then I have just two things to say":
1. Red is positive
2. Black is negative
hardships on the American people. supported less than a thousand residents, and the hotel had declined as However, few people know that Mr. This miracle touched the core of my being. (Ask your waiter or waitress for some markers and you can leave your own mark on Winter Park.)The tradition started when Jeff Davidson asked Russ Petersen to help him revamp Hernando's in 1967.
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