Share Your Story

Children of war

My nephew Steven was deployed to Afghanistan (FOB, Camp Salerno, 10 miles from the Pakistan border) in 2009. He's actually my neice's husband but I consider him my nephew.We kept in touch through e-mail and I was thankful to hear from him alot. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan and he was really missing his wife and two boys. I kept all of his e-mails and pictures that he sent me and made a scrap book out them.Didn't realize how much work it would be but I'm so glad I made the book. The picture I am sending is Steven with a little girl they found on the side of the road. They named her Jasmine. She was in a coma and they didn't think she would make it. She did and you can she how much she affected him by the look of total compassion in his eyes. This is my favorite picture he sent to me. I still look at it from time to time and wonder what has become of Jasime. How do the children of war grow up to have any kind of hope of a better life? I hope she grows up to become an important person in her country. I'm proud of Steven and his family and all who serve in the military. It makes me realize every day how fortune I am to live in this great country.

Carol
Trumbull, CT

Brother for hire

I am writing to share the joy that I have received, not for My achievements, but for my brothers for hire. I am certain that I can not properly explain the joy, pain, trials, fears and tremendous losses that we shared, however; in their honor... I shall try. I am a female, bad ass, flight medic US Army retired that fell in love with the brotherhood. I have been on missions that would make a grown woman cry and sometimes.. I did, but I always had a brother for hire. I have never been alone with my joy or pain or sadness, because whether you like it or not... I had a brother for hire. I have lost my brothers and my fiance because of the Army, but I have never lost my love or joy. I now stand as an example for those that can't stand, can't hug, can't feel...feel the commaradry that I feel and love, and still have with my brothers...for hire. A brother for hire doesn't ask for money. A brother for hire doesn't ask for paybacks. A brother for hire is a brother that is there when you need a brother...no more... no less. He/ she is strong when you need strong, quiet when you just want to cry, but they are there to hold you in case you fall. A brother for hire will make you laugh for absolutely no reason and come every Veteren's/Memorial Day and put the flags on the stones of the ones we have BOTH lost. I have came out the other side with scars and bars, but if it wasn't for my brothers for hire.... I am certain that I would have lost my smile, my joy, my pride. Thank you..my brothers for hire.

Country Michalek
Fairplay, CO

Good Directions

One day, while in Iraq, I was particularly stressed so I left my office, serving as a Company XO, to drop my laundry off at the laundry point that wasn't too far away. I drove the truck instead of walking BC I needed to get away. There were a few radio stations we could pick up in our truck. When I got back in my truck, Billy Currington's song, "Good Directions" was on the radio. I hadn't heard it in so long, so I drove the long way back to my building, adding an extra 6-7 minutes to my drive. When I got back, our building had just been hit with a rocket. I missed it because of the song about taking good directions!!! Thankfully, no one was hurt, but I thanked God for saving me from being there that day. God, and Billy Currington!!

Anonymous
Sierra Vista, AZ

Soldiers life

So i am a soldier in the army national guard and h e been in for a year. I just met this girl a couple months ago at one of my drills and we are together now. She ships out to training for 8 months this may and i know it will be hard but she is worth it. For once om happy and its with a girl who does the same job as me. Love her.

Private Brogan
Peekskill, NY

He Would Go Back if he Could!

Cage and Cadence's dad is a United States Marine Corps Wounded Warrior who was injured in the Iraq war. Even though he likes to tell people he "only has a few scratches" he suffered more then just a couple scratches. When he was in Iraq he was hit with a homemade bomb when he was on top of a building. He has burn marks on his left side of his body, deaf on his left ear, has TBI and a few more things. However he would go back right now if he could! He says he needs to be there, to protect his friends there and his family here. I tell him he is a true hero, but he likes to tell me, "no heros r the ones that don't make it home." But since he has been home, honorably discharge from the United States Marine Corps, he has blessed me with two beautiful children. Thank you to all the past, present and future men and women veterans!

Courtney
Chatfield, MN

my father

my dad ernest e morgan spent over thirty years in the navy,he retierd a master chief..he now deals with what he says is issues with his health like diabeties,cancer,and agent orange,he is seventy five years old and still with his issues in mind gets out and takes care of not only his yard but the surrounding neighbors yards too,he's very insperational to little children,his grandchildren,kids and my mother this is what he learned to do,push through it..and thats what i learned to do never give up never surrender,he's had eight strokes four this past year and the toll is wearing on him,but with the love of a good women and his streangth for living...he pushes through and refuses to surrender,thats my dad,my beat friend,my first love.

julie rising
fullerton, NE

Veteran's Day Heroes

As a veteran, I am very proud of our young men and women in the Armed Forces of the United States especially families like my daughter's, whose husband is a combat medic with the 101st Airbourne. Not only does he, and all service personnel, put everything on the line so that we can live free but all of their children, spouses, and families do also. It is important that we teach our children that these are the people we should be proud of. These are our heroes.

HEROES

Pack banners and buntings.
Tri-fold the "good" flag until next year
As we ponder soldiers honored in the parade.
Have you seen them?
All proud in their uniforms,
Young men and women walking tall.
Venerated Veterans humbled by the masses.
What do you suppose they see in our eyes?
They see the freedom that they fought so valiantly for,
I see America in them.
I see men and women
Who risked everything dear to them.
Because of them this land is free,
Without oppression or segregation,
Nor bound by the ties of race,
Religion, color, sex, or origin.
And I say, thank-you to every soldier
That passes in a parade, the supermarket,
And on the streets
We thank you for your service, dedication, sacrifice,
And for giving us a sense of pride in our country.
Ever aware that you were gone, we prayed for you.
And you came home, all heroes in our eyes.
We shared tears for your lost comrades.
Gone but never forgotten.
Our children see that they can be proud
To be Americans, just like you.
'All the way USA'
And thanks for the chance to shake your hand.
It is our honor.

Diane L. Wicknick
Franklin, MA

My SON My HERO

My only child joined the Navy Nov 09. He was deployed for 7 months and did not get to see his son born. His wife is also in the Navy. I thought the Navy was to look out for families!!!! They live in VA with no family around and both have sea duty!!! I thought the Navy would let one or the other have shore duty so they can be with the child!!!! They are young and maybe they are not asking for the right help!!! My son wanted to stay in the Navy and make a career for them but now he has to get out to make more money at home!!! This does not make since to me that the military does not pay these kids enough money!!! Just letting off a little steam here but I think the Military should make alot of money and be able to put the family first!!!! Why can;t the teachers and the military make 60 to 75000 a year??? People at McDonalds bring home more than they do!!! Thanks for the lending ear!! I'm just a concerned dad and grandfather worried about their future!!! Of course they have family who will watch the baby, but that means the baby moving away from mom and dad!!!!

Anonymous
Hopkinsville, KY

Any time Any where Any how

My grandfather served in WW II, my father Korea, and me Southeast Asia. To the brother with the tribute to the Chopper crews the pleasure was ours. Welcome home.

Anonymous
Miami, FL

My Hero WWII

My Hero is my father in-law He served in the168th Combat Engineer Battalion in WWII. He got injured at Utah Beach,and when they were transporting the Infantry across the Rhine River He was injured again.I feel lucky to be able to be his son in.-law.He passed away on 2/9/12 on in his honor I had a tattoo done in his honer.I just want to say THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR THE GREAT U.S.A.

Brent A.Fogg
Bristol, ME