Sunday, November 11, 2012

We remember...

                                                                                             




You may not agree with the war or the conflict that put them in harm's way. You may not support the government that sent them. You may not believe in the policies of the military. The men and women who put on the uniform possess an honor that many could not fathom. They are individuals who love this country and the people in it so much that they would walk away from their families, and their lives, and put theirs on the line for each and every one of us. Honor them, and never forget that freedom isn't free, they pay the price for all of us.

To my Ward, my best friend, my Man, my Daddy, my One, my only, my moon, my sun, my stars, my heart, my life, my dear true love, I am proud of you and I am honored to call you mine. You ARE my hero.




The Warriors Pledge


 Oh warrior, my brother, my sister: We once prepared for battle, and served our causes as best we could. Perhaps we are stained by blood shed by others, or carry scars from our own wounds.  Yet our task is not complete until we have acknowledged one another. Oh warrior, my brother my sister, I offer to you the following: I will honor your experience of service, recognizing that while your cause may not be mine, the terrors of war bind us together.  I will listen to your story, and share with you my own for without each other we cannot know the truth, nor can we tell the story to our children. 

I will value your life, even though in the past we may have sought to destroy one another and may indeed have destroyed lives precious to each other, today your life is precious to me.  I will give you the gift of my presence, that we may know each other as the warriors we are, complete our task, and welcome each other into our homes. Alan Cutter, NAVVVM, 1999





 
I pray for the day that the only way to visit a piece of your heart is not by touching a piece of granite. This wall bears two pieces of my heart, a special ops Army officer, panel 47W (12 years of service DOC 8-11-68), and a Navy flier (12 years of service DOC 4-26-78), panel 13E.











                                      

I pray for the day that no partner has to look at their other half with that look of love, and terror, and bravery on their eyes, and the fear that this may be the last time; that no parent has to hold their crying child and utter a promise they pray God allows them to keep, that no man sees his child enter the world over a video feed. 





I give thanks with a grateful, humble heart that my brave sailor does not have to leave, and that we are spared that fear and uncertainty this time. And I pray for each of his crew-mates and their families. I am plagued by a fear of my own selfishness, but he's mine - he's ours and we need him, and he's already given so much.


















The Final Inspection

 

The soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as brightly as his brass.

Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
No, Lord, I guess I aint
Because those of us who carry guns
Cant always be a saint.

Ive had to work most Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes Ive been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
Ive wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here,
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, Ill understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God,

Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heavens streets,
You've done your time in Hell.



"Today, a proud nation expresses our gratitude. But we do so mindful that no ceremony or parade, no hug or handshake is enough to truly honor that service. For that, we must do more. For that, we must commit—this day and every day—to serving you as well as you’ve served us." —President Obama
HIS POV: 
It is an honor to serve my country.  It is an even deeper honor to serve my family. June has once again touched my heart and I type this POV with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. Things haven't always been easy, fun, or fair but with the Lord's grace and a devotion that is unrivaled we have managed to navigate the turbulence that is military family life... Thank you everyone for giving me something to fight for, thank you June for being my soft place to land.

15 comments:

  1. Our family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to you Ward. We are not from the same country, but we are well aware that are Allies help keep us safe.

    Thank You

    Wilma, Barney, and the boys

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  2. I thought of you, and of Ward and of your family. Of his comrads, and of ALL of the soldiers both alive, and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, not just today but often. I am in awe of the strength, and courage all of you must face everyday in order for us to live the freedom we so often take for granted.

    So Thank You. June, Ward and all of those for whom I don't have a name.

    We Remember.

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  3. Beautiful post. Thank you Ward for your service and June for all you do to lift up our military. Standing with you in gratitude and thanks for sacrifices made on our behalf. In thanksgiving and rememberance.

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  4. Beautiful and inspiring post, June. What a lovely tribute to Ward and to those who serve everywhere. Our gratitude and deep respect from our family to yours, and on behalf of Canadians everywhere.
    We share this day of remembrance with you and our best wishes for you always,
    Ian & Lillie

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  5. Well dang it June - shouldna known I'd need tissues for this one. Such a beautiful tribute to all military personnel!

    Thank you Ward for your service to our country - you are very much respected and appreciated. Thank you to both of you for all the sacrifices Wards service requires of you and your family. A very respectful salute to all of you. Always keeping you in my prayers.

    Blessings,
    Cat

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  6. Thank You Ward, and you June. My words would seem trite after your beautiful post. You addressed everything.
    I also agree with all my heart and soul that a soldier should be paid as much as a sports player.

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  7. @Wilma Rubble - Allies to the end! Thank you for commenting!
    @HisLilAngel- Thank you, it is a pleasure to serve wonderful people such as yourself.
    @SNP - Thank you so much, your grattitude is much appreciated.
    @ians mrs - June is my true inspiration, and it is indeed very touching to read these words.
    @Cat - Thank you so very much, June and the boys make all the sacrifices my reason for being and it is a pleasure to serve for you all... thanks for the prayers, they are always needed.
    @Minelle Labraun - Thank you so very much, it is a honor to serve you!

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  8. Thank you Ward and June from the bottom of my heart.

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  9. Thank you Ward for serving our country, for keeping us safe! Thank you for your sacrifice - which is considerable!

    Thank you June for supporting your love, for keeping him sane, for allowing him to keep our country free. Thank you for single parenting too often when he has to work and you are 100% in as support staff.

    Thank you both for sharing your journey will us.

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  10. Beautiful post June and a lovely tribute to Ward. I have been thinking of you both especially this day.

    My heartfelt gratitude and thanks to you both, and to all service men and women within our allied forces and their families for the great sacrifices you make in order that we are safe and enjoy the freedoms we sadly sometimes take for granted.

    I thank you and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

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  11. Thank you to both of you for all the sacrifices you have made for our Country. I love reading about how well you two handle it all.

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  12. Wow, beautiful and extremely touching post. Words cannot express how brave you both are and how much of a sacrifice you've made for our country. I wish I could say more, but I find words to be rather limiting and I think you summed it up wonderfully. Thank you for all that you've done.

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  13. June this is a beautiful tribute to your husband.
    Ward i want to say thank you for your service. i know it must be difficult to leave your family to go into harms way. My prayers are with you and family.

    Well wishes
    jodi

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  14. @ Sunnygirl - Thank you for being part of our chosen blog family!
    @ SirQsmlb - Thank you for your kind words, it is a pleasure to serve kind folk like you and SirQ!
    @ Roz - Indeed it is beautiful, June is an amazing woman and again her words make me tear up!
    @ dancingbarez - Thank you so very much, we try and we pray everyday!
    @ Riley - Thank you for your grattitude, it makes it worth it!
    @ Anonymous - She is a wonder and she honors me so very much, thank you for reading jodi

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