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My Dad

I remember coming home from school one day and my mom telling me " you have to take a nap today". Well here I am 14 yrs old thinking "HUH". She had changed the channel on the tv that showed flights coming in from Saudi Arabia and there was my dads name, coming in on a flght at 3 am. Well to say the least a nap was out of the question, So at 2 am we all head to the gym where the guys were coming in and there was a good distance from where the humvees were at, and where we were standing. The MP's blocking the area. Finally the moment came and here comes this humvee, and I knew my Daddy was in there. The door opened and I ran so fast right into my Daddy's arms, I had never felt more safe and happy in my small 14 yrs of life till that moment. That was 21 yrs ago and I can still rememeber like it happened yesterday. Thank you to all Service members past and present, you all hold a place in my heart.

Cheryl
Whitehall, OH

2 soldiers saluting a kid

My story happened about 8-9 years ago in the beginning stages of "Operation Enduring Freedom", in the Atlanta airport on my way back to Europe after spending the holidays with family. My family and I were walking down the hallway, when, 2 soldiers crossed my path and saluted me as if I was their superior in rank. I can only guess, that, the reason why they did it was because I was staring at them with "sparkly" eyes since I've always loved the Military and dreamed to have my own Military career one day. Every day since, I try to remember their faces in hoping, that, one day, I'll be able to ask them: why?

David Devos
Hoeilaart, Belgium

Royal Navy

Now a US citizen, but served in the Royal Navy from 1976-1998. In April 1982 Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, Margaret Thatcher sent a Task Force 8000 miles to liberate them. I was onboard HMS Coventry on exercise close to Gibraltar, and we sailed south. After shooting down many aircraft, and our helo used Sea Skua missiles against boats (first use of this missile in combat) my ship was sunk May 25th with the loss of 19. Others have died since, related wounds or other problems). After the sinking, most of the crew were transfered to QE2 and returned home to Southampton on June 12th. As we disembarked, we were hugged by strangers (to me, strangers, to others, family) and I finally saw my parents, and it was the first time I saw my late Father cry. Fast forward 9 years, Desert Shield/Storm in 1990-1. Onboard HMS Gloucester we were based in Jebel Ali in the UAE, with massive air support. We slept fully dressed ON our bunks, not IN them. We spent 95% of out time up-range, and our helo spent little time with us as she was re-armed and re-fueled onboard US ships. The Sea Skua missile was battle-proven and that little helo took out many Iraqi boats. A few days before the end of the war we were lifeguard to USS Missouri. One of our radar operators spotted a fast-moving contact closing the force, showing no IFF. It turned out to be a Silkworm missile, which we took out with SeaDart, the first missile/missile engagement in the world. We received loads of mail from appreciative American families after the news broke. Retirning home to Portsmouth UK in April, I was met by my late Father (Mom had died in 1987) and again saw him in tears.

Keith
Brandon, FL

A chance

My 6 mnth old daughter's father is in the Air Force, he lives in OK while we live in Maine. We were planning to see him before he was deployed but got the news a few days before that he was flying out of VA which was too far for us to travel to see him off. After he was in VA for three days we found out he would be flying out of Bangor, ME instead, last minute. He called during naptime and we live 3 hours away. When I was 30 miles from the exit to the airport he called to say he landed and didn't have much time. Then just as we were pulling off the exit he called to say they were boarding. I was heartbroken so I drove to the airport anyway. I was sitting out in the car in disbelief that we were so close, so I called to see if he was on the plane. He was, but thankfully they let him off the plane just to hug and kiss us goodbye. Luckily a troop greeter was walking by and snapped this picture of us. The next time we see him, our daughter will be a year old. It was amazing.

Sammy
Bryant Pond, ME

POW/MIA bracelet

In 1975 I wore a POW/MIA bracelet. I was a senior in hight school. Lt Carroll Beeler from Texas came home and I placed the bracelet in my jewlery box for safe keeping. I then purchased another. Although Capt Gordon Wenaas will never come home I continue to wear his name....some 36 years later. All gave some...some gave all. Forever grateful. ( Ret.) Mst Sgt Sharon Williams

Sharon Williams
Yellville, AR

My brother at 17 volunteered

My brother at 17 volunteered in the marines.(he said that the marines were the best to join if he wanted to survive.) My brother earned his purple heart, bronze star and many others.he was subjected to things that you and I could not begin to fathom.there was no heroes welcome home other than our mothers open arms.I thank god for every day that my big brother and those who ...serve our country walk this gods green earth. I thank god for people who are still willing to give all for our country I love my brother and he too is my hero. I love ya big bro (ernie). God bless america.(1 thing I forgot to mention was that he was also exposed to agent orange, and that the metal detectors wil always go off when he passes through because of all of the shrapnel that is still in his body, forever his reminder of vietnam.

Jane forte
Suffolk, VA

Like In A Movie

It was Valentine's Day. I had been waiting all weekend for news to go get my husband. His year away was finally over. He called and told me his flight would be in at 8:20 pm. I spent the day cleaning up and stocking the fridge with all his favorites. My daughter had a photo shoot for her gymnastics team, the boys needed a bath and I still hadn't showered by 5! Finally it was time to pick him up. I got everything done that I needed to, even managed to make myself pretty! It took 45 minutes to get to the airport. We arrived at 8, just enough time to calm the nerves and a final mirror check. We get to the nearly empty terminal and wait. I stand up to look at my reflection in the big terminal window and there he is. I thought I was seeing things because the reflection in the window showed he was right behind me. It was like a scene from a movie. I whirled around and it was him! He was early and standing right in front of me! I ran into his arms and the kids followed. He said he was coming out of the restroom and there we were walking, he had to come sneak up on us! It was the best moment, best Valentine's Day EVER! We are living happily ever after!

Jessica J
Deridder, LA

I miss the old uncle

My Uncle was in the canadian military and was posted to bosnia when the war was going on. I was really little and didnt uderstand waht was really happening. He came home with bandages on his shoulder and hip...He had been shot. My uncle has never really been the same since getting medically released from the military he now had no Doctor or health care plan only a pension. My uncle also suffers from PTSD. Without a doctor he will never be able to get the help he needs to get rid of his nightmares and being afraid of random noises and loud bangs. When i was younger he would always take me to fireworks for the long weeked. It sadens me to say he hasnt been able to take me in year because of fear of teh loud noises. If anything i just want my old Uncle back i miss him war changes people and the military just doesnt care.

Anonymous
Fort Meyers, FL

World War II

My Father joined in the US Navy during World War II when he was just 17 years old. His ship was under attack in the pacific and was hit by a japanese plane which left a hugh whole and it destroyed his ship and had to be towed to Pearl Harbour. He was one of 501 survivors and always said that if he wasnt on break having a cup of coffee down in the kitchen he wouldnt be here today. He never talked much about the war but one Christmas I gave him a US Navy hat and T shirt with his ships name and number. He cried so hard, I never witnessed this before, and then told me he saw his friends being blown up left and right of him and that he was so scared that day. I just held him tight and let him cry. He wore that hat and T shirt proudly from then on and until the day he passed away in December 2000. We buried him with his hat and I have his T shirt. RIP Dad you were always my hero!

Karen De Lucca Monus
Forked River, NJ

Sending your son to war

What do you say to your 21 yr old son who is about to deploy to Afghanistan for the first time? I looked into my son's eyes and he said, "there is no guarantee that I will be coming back." As we both cryed, I told him that I was with him always in his heart, and he was with me in mine. We are never apart. I placed him in God's hands and prayed everyday that he would return home safe. My prayers have been answered. I am very proud of my son Nick, a United States MARINE. Rahhhhh. God bless all of our service members, where ever they are. WE ARE THE LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!!!!!!!!

Liz
Silverdale, WA