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Toilet paper and Iraq

This really isn't an inspiring story...but it's one I like to tell about my son during the invasion of Iraq. My son was in the Marine Corps., and his unit was one of the ones called up to go for the invasion. My son left for Iraq when he was 19, and Kerry Sanders was the embedded reporter with his unit. They didn't have all the communication equipment set up yet...so communication with our son was nonexistent. My son's father and I looked for him every time we saw Kerry Sanders on the television. My son wrote 3 times and all 3 times, he wrote on the back of an MRE box. One time he wrote that he wanted me to send toilet paper, it was like white gold over there - so my husband and I packed up 3 Xerox boxes full of toilet paper, and I sent a letter in one of the boxes. I told him the next time Kerry Sanders did a report, get behind him and jump up and down so we could see him. If he couldn't, take some of the toilet paper and TP one of Saddam's palaces. That way, if I saw the toilet paper, I'd know he'd been there.

Sherrie Dunlap
Southport, NC

AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Service)

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for all of those men and women who have served. I count among my friends, a medically retired Lt Comm US Navy, a retired USAR Capt, a CWO2 helicopter pilot from Ft Rucker, AL. My father served in WWII as a Underwater sonar specialist in the US Navy in both the Atlantic and Pacific campaigns. I also have many friends and relatives who have served.

I tried once to serve in the US Army back in 1982 when I was fresh out of High School, but the adventure became too much for me as I became severely homesick and elected to return home. Fast forward to 2001 when I was looking for a job and was able to secure one with AAFES as they were relocating a distribution center from Oakland, CA to French Camp, CA.

Now it is 2013 and I am into my 12th year of employment. We have quite the history with the US Military. As many veterans know, the organization I work for runs their post and base exchanges so they can have a little piece of home wherever they may be serving. What's even better is they get those supplies tax free. We even deploy on a voluntary basis to help run our stores in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Sometimes fellow veterans will let me stand with them when they are honored, and that is huge for me because I count myself lucky that I get to support the US Military every day I go to work. Thank You Veterans, for giving me a new lease on life and a REASON to get up in the morning.

Lawrence Borges
Freight Receiving Clerk
Sharpe Army Depot, CA

Lawrence Borges
Modesto, CA

My Son

In November of 2001, my youngest son came to me and said he had enlisted in the Army. Since it was only two months past September 11, I asked him if he seriously knew what he was doing because the country would soon be at war and besides being only 17 and a high school senior, I told him that he could not and because of his age, he needed parental consent. Well needless to say, after meeting with his Recruiter and realizing his passion we supported him. Two weeks after high school graduation he left for bootcamp. Six years and after 3 tours in Iraq, he was honorably discharged leaving as a Staff Sgt. We are all glad he is home and out of harms way. I still pray for all the other military members serving and I will always be an "Army Mom".

Donna Blackman
Rochester, NY

Meeting Daddy

My husband left for his second tour in Afghanistan just ten months after returning home from his first tour. He also left three weeks before we had our first baby. His second tour proved to be one of the hardest things we have ever done, from giving birth without him to him losing his best friend in battle. Finally almost 8 long months after he left my husband came home to meet 7 month old baby boy for the first time. It will be a moment to treasure forever.

Audrey Truelove
Mayfield, KY

Those That Serve

I wanted to share with all of you a song that my husband, Guy Palmer wrote. It's titled, "Those That Serve"...it's in honor of all of our veteran's. I hope that you'll allow us to share it on here with all of you as our way to say "Thank You". The video/picture is at the memorial for our veterans in the town we live in, Durand, WI.

http://youtu.be/Oxmxsqtn8TY

Thank you,
Patti & Guy Palmer

Patti & Guy Palmer
Durand, WI

Sgt. Maj. Charles E. Thayer (USMC-Ret)

My story won't fit in 350 words since my Dad enlisted at 17 in WWII, then Korea (1950 51) and was ordered to Vietnam twice. My grandfather served in WWI, my Dad's two oldest brothers served in WWII and I have official USMC photos of my Dad and oldest brother, George E. Thayer, in Korea! To tell it honestly, it would be more than 350 words.

Cinde Thayer Iacovacci
Fredericksburg, VA

Homecoming!

I'll never forget when my son came home from Iraq. We were living in another state, and had to drive over 1500 miles to his state armory. Of course, it was tricky planning vacation from my husband's employment as we didn't know the exact date of the homecoming. But, with good faith, we left as planned and prayed that it would all work out - that we would come home with our son. We arrived at our friend's house after driving 1500 miles and waited. They didn't have internet, so each day, we would go into town (about 20 miles away) to check our email. At the last possible day for everything to work out, we got the email we had been waiting for! They would be home the next day! I will never forget the sight of the Patriot Guard rounding the top of the hill (even typing this brings tears to my eyes and makes my breath catch)...and then the buses that carried our precious soldiers. It was such a wonderful moment indeed when I saw my son for the first time!

When he came home from Afghanistan, we experienced an equally proud moment and at the same time, it was bittersweet. Unlike the Iraq tour, this tour saw several members of his unit KIA, one was my son's Lieutenant who was well loved by his men. His widow was there to see the unit return. As the soldiers marched in, my husband saw our son first, pointed him out, and I just could not believe he was home after such a long and hard deployment. When my son saw us standing there, my husband said, he smiled just a little. I think my son felt guilty for coming home, while 14 others did not. He had told us that we really didn't need to be there, that he would find a ride home. I told him that nothing would keep me away from greeting him and the others. I think his smile showed us that he was glad we were there!

Kathy
Oklahoma City, OK

My definition of being American

I wasn't born a United States citizen. I was born a Russian orphan. At the age of 5, I was adopted by two people that I consider angels sent to me by god. They took me into their arms and called me their "son". They raised me to the best of their ability and I know I didn't always make it easy on them. They taught me respect for God, respect for my country, and respect for my fellow man. They taught me to work hard and never give ground in face of adversity. I did it all but I never truly considered myself an American. I joined the Navy in August of 2009 and at that critical moment in time when I was signing my name on the dotted line, I finally understood what it meant to be an American. I signed the dotted line because America is my Home, she gave me a future, a country to call my own, a loving family, great friends, and these things that I have been given are worth fighting for. I may be a veteran now but I will always fight for my country, for my people, for my family, and for my friends. That is what it means to be American.
,

Ruslan Garland
Prince Frederick, MD

Nothing Better ..

Nothing better than having your loved one coming home after deployment. Each time it is special. This last one though was very meaningful. My husband was on his 4th deployment in Afghanistan. He was gone almost 7 months .. but had to miss Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's Day, and just precious moments with our 2 year old little boy. But out of all the holidays he had to miss, the hardest event he had to miss was the birth of his daughter. When he returned home she was 5 months old. Out of all the homecomings this one truly brought butterflies to my stomach. The moment he had landed on the plane and we had to play the search game. But once we found him and he was reunited with his son and introduced to his daughter .. all was right with the world. A day I will never forget.

Kristin
Sumter, SC

The Little Boy

I was coming home from basic training at Ft. Leonardwood, MO. I was in my ACU uniform flying to Atlanta out of St. Louis. While waiting for my second flight for the night to Columbus, GA, a little boy roughly 10 years old comes up to me from behind, taps me on my arm, and holds his hand out to shake my hand in appreciation for my service. The biggest smile came across my face as I took a knee and shook his hand. I looked back as he walked back to his mother and gave her a smile. Within 8 months of joining the army, on the day I return home from basic training and AIT, on my fathers 50th birthday, and I already have been showed why I joined. I will never forget that day, that kid, or my reason.

Eric Brownlee
Seale, AL