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***** ****** Words of Wisdom
" It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protester to burn the flag."
Father Dennis E. O'Brien, USMC *****************
" Sometimes we must interfere.
When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant.
Whenever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must - at that moment - become the center of the universe."
ELIE WIESEL
Nobel Peace Laureate
It is the day after Memorial Day, Lives will continue, children will play, The sun has risen, the sun will set, Will you remember or choose to forget? Will you reach out to mothers in tears Helping them wait to ease their fears? Will you perhaps send a package of care Adding a few treats for our soldiers to share? Will you write a note - to bring a small smile? Hugs from home across many a mile Will you give thanks to the next veteran you see? Reminding us all of why we are free Will you reach out to a child feeling alone? Waiting for Dad or Mom to finally fly home Will you say a prayer for our troops each day? As we enjoy our freedoms in every way The sun has risen - the sun has set. Freedom endures - let us never forget. Ali Kellermann Homefront Hugs USA June 1, 2004 ****
" The great man is who does not lose his child's heart " Meng-tse ********* **********
" There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle " Albert Einstein *******************\ ********* *
What it Means to Love a Soldier
By Jamie Reese
Special to American Forces Press Service
FORT HOOD, Texas, Oct. 8, 2003 -- She stands in line at the post office waiting
to send a package to her husband, a U.S. Army soldier serving in Kuwait.
Envelopes, pens, paper, stamps, sunscreen, eye-drops, gum, batteries,
powdered Gatorade, baby wipes and Twizzlers.
He said he needed the sunscreen and baby wipes. She threw in the Twizzlers. There's a common bond at the post office in this military town. People aren't
just sending letters and packages; they are sending smiles, hope, love and just
a touch of home. People look around at the others, sharing their concern,
fear and pride. They take comfort knowing they are not alone.
Passing through the gate leaving the Army post, she enters another world ,a world filled with pawnshops, surplus stores, barbershops, fast food galore and, of course, "Loans, Loans, Loans."
This is a life that includes grocery shopping at a place called the Commissary.
A life that has her venturing to the Post Exchange, referred to as the PX,
instead of heading to Wal-Mart. This is where you come to learn, appreciate and respect the ceremonious traditions of Reveille and Retreat, and of course, the National Anthem from a completely different perspective.
At 6 a.m., or as the soldiers call it, 0600 hours, Reveille can be heard
across post. The bugle call officially begins the military workday. At 1700 hours Retreat sounds signaling the day's end. Soldiers render salutes, chatter
fades and all eyes are drawn to the nearest flag. At 2300 hours, the bugle sounds Taps, denoting not only the "final hour" of the day, but also honoring those we have lost.
When the national anthem plays in a military town, a special aura fills the air. Men, women, and even children stop to pay their respects. Civilians
place their hands over their hearts. Soldiers salute. In this world, the anthem isn't just a prequel to the echo of "Play Ball."
Since she married her soldier and experienced the Star Spangled Banner from
this perspective, she's noticed how people in civilian towns react to the
national anthem. She notices the people who continue to talk, the hats that stay on, the beer that doesn't get put down, and even the jeers at the person singing the anthem. The meaning seems to be lost to a majority of people.
But if she looks closely, she can see who has been blessed enough to learn this
lesson. Some are grandparents, some are parents, and some are young children.
At first glance, children growing up in this world of artillery, tanks and
uniforms are the same as any other kids from any other town. They do the things that kids do. They play sports, go to school, and play with their friends.
The difference is that their group of friends may change once a year, or more,
due to a change of duty station.
They don't have any say in this. They could be two years old and not
remember a thing about it, or they may be 16 years old getting ready for prom and
having to up-root and move again. They're known as "military brats," a harsh misnomer for those who learn a lifestyle of sacrifice at such a young age. Yet, it makes them strong.
The little boys become the men of the house and the little girls become the
ladies. They adapt to these different situations. They live with the reality that one, or even both parents, may not be around to celebrate birthdays and holidays. They know there will be will be times when they will look into the
stands during Little League games and see only an empty space in the bleachers.
At the same time, these kids have a sense of overwhelming pride. They brag about their daddies and their mommies being the best of the best. They know their Mom's been through deployments, changes of duty stations, and the
ever-changing schedules Army life brings. While Dad is away, she takes care of
the house, the bills, the cars, the dogs, and the baby.
To cope with it all, she learns military families communicate via the Internet so he doesn't miss out on what's happening back home. But he does miss out.
He won't be there for the baby's first steps, and he may have to hear his son
or daughter's first words through a time delay across a static-filled telephone
line.
She remembers what it was like before he left, when everything seemed
normal."
Normal except for the pressed uniform, the nightly ritual of shining boots,
the thunder-like sound of the Apache helicopters flying overhead, and the
artillery shells heard off in the distance. OK, relatively normal – when they occasionally went to the park, spent holidays together and even enjoyed four-day weekends when he could get a pass. But, the real challenge began with the phone call.
She relives the moments before she kissed him goodbye.
A phone ringing at 0400 hours is enough to make her heart end up in her
throat.
They've been expecting the call, but they weren't sure when it would come.
She waits to hear the words, "Don't worry, it's just a practice run." But instead she hears, "Here we go."
So, off he goes to pack, though most of the packing is finished because as a
soldier, he is "always ready to roll." She gets the baby, but leaves his
pajamas on because it is just as well that he sleeps. She takes the dogs out
she gets dressed, all the while trying to catch glimpses of her husband. She wants to cherish his presence because she doesn't know when she'll see him
again.
She knows that in other homes nearby, other families are enacting exactly
the same scene.
Within 15 minutes, the family is in the car heading to the "rally point." As they pull up, they see soldiers everywhere, hugging their loved ones. While people love to see tearful, joyous homecomings, fearful, anxious, farewells
are another story.
Too soon, with his gear over his shoulder, he walks away. She is left behind
straining to keep an eye on her soldier. As the camouflage starts to blend,
only his walk distinguishes him from the others.
She takes one last look and takes a deep breath. She reminds herself she
must stay strong. No tears. Or, as few tears as possible. Just words of encouragement to the children, to her friends and to herself. Then she turns walks back to the car, and makes her way home to a house that is now eerily quiet. She mentally prepares for the days, weeks, even months ahead. She needs to focus on taking care of her love while he is overseas. Her main priorities
will be the care packages, phone calls, e-mails, and letters sprayed with perfume.
And, she can't forget to turn the stamp upside down to say, "I love you."
Taking care of her family, her friends, even strangers – this is her mission
as an Army wife to do these things without a second thought.At the ripe old age of 22, she knows the younger wives will turn to her for advice. "How do you balance a checkbook? How do you change a tire? When are they coming home?"
Only when she knows everyone else is OK, the bills are paid, the cars
maintained, the lawn cut, the kids asleep, the pets calmed down, and the
lights are off, does she take time for her self.
Alone at night, she runs the next day's events over in her mind to make sure
it will all get finished. She reviews her checklist of things to do, things to
buy for his care package. Once again, she checks the calendar to count down the
days. Before turning in, she checks to make sure the ringer is on for the
late night phone call that might come in from overseas.
Before she falls asleep, a few tears hit the pillow. But even as the tears
escape, strength enters her mind, body, spirit and soul. She remembers why
she is here. She remembers the pride and the love that brought her here in the
first place, and a sense of peace comes over her, replacing, if only for a
second, the loneliness, the fear and the lingering heartache she feels while
her soul mate is away.
This is what it means to love a soldier.
She wouldn't have it any other way. 
--------------------------- 10 Things To Expect.............
1...God won't ask what kind of car you drove, He'll ask how many people
you drove who didn't have transportation.
2...God won't ask the square footage of your house, He'll ask how many
people you welcomed into your home.
3...God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He'll ask
how many you helped to clothe.
4...God won't ask what your highest salary was, He'll ask if you
compromised your character to obtain it.
5...God won't ask what your job title was, He'll ask if you performed
your job to the best of your ability.
6...God won't ask how many friends you had, He'll ask how many people
to whom you were a friend.
7...God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how you
treated your neighbors.
8...God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about the
content of your character. 9. God won't ask how many children you had, but whether you raised them with faith, tolerance, hope and compassion . 10. God won't ask how many prayers you said or where you went to pray, but whether you lived by His word until it was time to enter Heaven.
 A Child's Thanks to Our Soldiers  I send you lots of hugs today I send you thanks in my own way on our Thanksgiving Turkey Day. Because of you, I run ,I play Safe right here in the USA, Because of you I draw a star I spy a robin from afar, Because of you I sing a song play in my sandbox all day long I play with friends, I fly my kite, I ride my bike, sleep safe each night, and pray that you will be all right .
Ali Kellermann Homefront Hugs USA ©2003
Silent Heroes Silent heroes hear our call. They ask for nothing, risk it all. They hear our cries. They come to serve. Bringing hope with steely nerve. Their loved ones wait. They pray and wait. Their families- all heroes too. The children wait and pray for Mom. The children wait and pray for Dad. Their homes lost now, their faces sad. They ask for nothing,risk it all. They understand their loved ones' call. The children learn to cope and hope . Thus now it is our turn to say Thank you heroes,in our own way. It is our turn to watch your back. And in small ways start giving back. You ask for nothing, risk it all. Even as your own homes fall. Always ready to answer the call. You serve with honor and with pride, Placing your very own needs aside. We thank you and salute you now. We will remember. We will not forget. Sacrifice and heroism. Devotion to duty-patriotism. Rescues done with honor Rescues showing such respect, God bless our Coast Guard God bless you all. Still bringing hope and saving lives, All branches join our Coast Guard now, Our nation is a grateful one with hope and faith we stand as one. *****************
 
September 11, 2001. Never Forget.
2001 Trademark and Copyright- All rights reserved - Homefront Hugs USA To contact us: info@HomefrontHugs.com Homefront Hugs USA and its programs does not endorse any political party or candidate. We are here strictly to provide support and comfort to our service members,veterans and their families, regardless of political or religious affiliation. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, or politics in accordance with our United States constitution and in honor of our troops and veterans worldwide who come from all walks of life to serve our country with honor, great personal sacrifice and courage. |
