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Author
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Topic: A reminder that it's real
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Cdog911
"There are some ideas so absurd only an intellectual could believe them."--George Orwell.
Member # 7
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posted June 24, 2014 05:20 PM
After finishing my regular route today, I had to slip out to the other side of town and deliver an hour and a half off another mail route. I was about half-way through when I was approaching a rental property into which a new family had moved since I had last done this part of town. A guy was out front trimming tree branches and he waved at me as I approached his mailbox hanging by the front door. From one of the hooks under the box was hanging a banner, about a foot wide and eighteen inches tall. These are not at all uncommon around here - white banner with a red border, notched at the bottom. Most hang in windows and have a blue star which means that the family has a loved one deployed in the military. As I got close to the steps, I saw two blue stars, one above the other, and I thought to myself that these people had two loved ones in harm's way. Then, a slight breeze caught the banner and caused it to flip over. I had been looking at the reverse side. The front revealed that the top star had been embroidered with gold - a gold star family which means that the person that star represents was killed in action. It stopped me where I stood for a moment. I looked at the guy and he said, "Hello, sir, how are you today?" I stood as straight as I could, and told him I was fine, then I asked him, "Is that a gold star I see?" His face got very somber looking and he replied, "Yes sir". I looked back at that gold star and then shook the guy's hand - obviously he is a soldier - and said the only thing I could think of: "I'm sorry for your loss." It didn't seem like it was anywhere near enough. He looked at the star, then at me, and said, "Thank you, sir." Before I continued on, I looked him in the eye and said one last, "No, thank you."
I've never meant three words more in my life, aside from a daily, "I love you" to my wife. It's one thing to hear about gold star families. It's something else entirely to meet them, and to know what they have given on my behalf.
[ June 24, 2014, 05:22 PM: Message edited by: Cdog911 ]
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I am only one. But still, I am one. I cannot do everything, but still, I can do something; and, because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.
Posts: 5440 | From: The gun-lovin', gun-friendly wild, wild west | Registered: Jan 2003
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DEL GUE
SECOND PLACE: Mad Bomber lookalike contest
Member # 1526
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posted June 24, 2014 05:32 PM
Wars. They're not like WWII any more. No rationing, no total national effort in factories, no draft. We go on about our daily routines here in America and hardly notice that we're at war unless we cut on the news at night.
But the soldiers who die are real. They left from amongst us, from towns large and small. And although we barely notice that there is a war on, their deaths are real, too. There are husbands and wives, children, mothers and fathers, who have to go to the cemetery to bury their own, to learn how to go through life dealing with the loss every day all over again.
The families of soldiers sacrifice for their country, too. Make no mistake about it.
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"I never could find no tracks on a woman's heart." - Bear Claw
Posts: 588 | From: FL | Registered: Jul 2007
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booger
TOO BIG TO FAIL
Member # 3602
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posted June 25, 2014 04:40 AM
Wow, Lance, great story. Went to high school with a kid who lost his brother in Vietnam in 1968. At first, I didn't understand the relevance of the flag with the gold embroidered star hanging in the window of their home, but I did later.
That flag remained there until the home was sold and their mother moved into the same assisted living facility where my father in law lives. Her room was down the hall from his, and that flag hung on the door to her room until she died just last fall.
We all must never forget.
[ June 25, 2014, 04:41 AM: Message edited by: booger ]
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If we ever forget we are one Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under--Ronald Reagan
Posts: 911 | From: Bob Dole Country | Registered: Apr 2010
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted June 25, 2014 07:09 AM
You think Obama gives a shit? You think Hillary has any respect whatsoever, for the military? That right there is the difference. In every war until Viet Nam; Democrats were patriots. Not anymore. More specifically, Liberals have a mental illness. I guess it could be treatable, like an intervention for Scientology, but it's hard to think of an elected Democrat as a "Patriot" and it's a damned shame.
It's like Obama has an award ceremony for Medal Of Honor recipients, and fills the first three rows of invited guests with political cronies and the relatives and friends of the soldier sit in the fourth row. You can't make it up, that's Obama. Look at who he positions behind him, every time he gives one of his lame speeches. Every adoring fan is placed deliberately, they are chess pieces, everything he does is political. Have you ever seen a President rag on about Republicans? It's disgusting and shameful.
Good hunting. El Bee
[ June 25, 2014, 07:10 AM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32372 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted June 25, 2014 10:05 AM
Here's a little nugget to chew on, while you ponder the religion of peace.
These are the type of people our President traded for a deserter.
If this doesn't drive home what is happening in the real world and the risks we face in preserving our values and way of life then nothing will.
THE VICTIMS ARE CHRISTIANS. THAT WAS THEIR ONLY CRIME!!!
http://www.asgraphic.org/videos/video382/index.htm
Good hunting. El Bee
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32372 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Frank
CAN START A FIRE WITH A BUCK KNIFE AND A ROCK
Member # 6
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posted June 28, 2014 01:36 PM
Leonard
In the end, the only thing that will make a difference to islamists is a bullet to the head.
islam and the ideals of human rights and freedom put forth by our protestant founders are incompatible. No amount of truth, intellectual discussion, tolerance, or kindness can alter the islamic mindset.
Only a bullet between the eyes can make an islamist understand and accept the rights and freedoms given to us all by God.
[ June 28, 2014, 01:40 PM: Message edited by: Frank ]
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"Truth is no prostitute, that throws herself away upon those who do not desire her; she is rather so coy a beauty that he who sacrifices everything to her cannot even then be sure of her favor".
Posts: 644 | From: North Dakota | Registered: Jan 2003
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Cdog911
"There are some ideas so absurd only an intellectual could believe them."--George Orwell.
Member # 7
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posted June 28, 2014 01:40 PM
As truly sad as it is to resign oneself to the facts as you lay them out, Frank, you are right. It is so difficult to imagine that another human being simply cannot grasp the concept of enjoying the freedom to do as they wish while, at the same time, affording that same privilege to the people on either side of you.
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I am only one. But still, I am one. I cannot do everything, but still, I can do something; and, because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.
Posts: 5440 | From: The gun-lovin', gun-friendly wild, wild west | Registered: Jan 2003
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Frank
CAN START A FIRE WITH A BUCK KNIFE AND A ROCK
Member # 6
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posted June 29, 2014 05:31 PM
The endless invasion of America....brought to you by Democrats.....
http://www.humanevents.com/2014/06/10/the-endless-invasion-of-america/
Bottom line is this country is going to become third world and there is nothing we can do about it.
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"Truth is no prostitute, that throws herself away upon those who do not desire her; she is rather so coy a beauty that he who sacrifices everything to her cannot even then be sure of her favor".
Posts: 644 | From: North Dakota | Registered: Jan 2003
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