Posted on 04/19/2008 5:49:40 PM PDT by Dawnsblood
We sat down next to a local who introduced himself as "Sticks." He asked us why we were in town. We told him. Sticks stood up and asked for the bar's attention. He announced the reason for our visit and then everyone in the room stood and gave us a lengthy ovation. They had heard of Blue. We had to practically fight to get out of the bar and back on our way to Blue's parents' house.
During the drive, the other lieutenant and I decided that although the rest of the country might not care, people in the small towns definitely appreciate the military's sacrifice. We decided that the majority of the country is not anti-military. They are just indifferent and largely unaware of the enormous burden that the young men and women in service carry in the name of their freedoms.
Five years after the start of the Iraq war, and a year after Blue's death on April 16, I feel we are obligated to the Iraqi people and the rest of the world to not hastily abandon what we have invested so much in. I truly believe America can be an agent for change. I have often asked myself: If we pull out, what type of future would we be allowing to come about?
Sometimes I feel alone in my reasoning. That day in Munster I did not. That day I was proud to be a marine and proud to be an American.
I like to think that if the streets of heaven are guarded by marines, as the Marines' hymn suggests, that 1st Lieutenant Shaun Blue is now forever walking the lines of the perimeter checking on the marines defending their eternal post.
(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...
Thanks Dawnsblood,here’s a bump.
...
Thank you for your service as well ;-}
What a beautiful story. Thanks for posting it, Dawnsblood!
I only got halfway thru the second page before the darn screen got blurry. Bookmark for re-read later...
The blurriness of the screen will not become less with the wait, trust me. Outstanding article. ;-)
I wish these stories would be the headlines in the Dailys. Most of this country supports our fine Military. It’s just the elite media and scum-ebrities that have visibility and the bully pulpit that are our national embarrassment. Our Military knows they have the support of the fine Americans who continue to work to make this country even greater. I believe it was Jeff Foxworthy who said ‘we (Conservatives) get up for work, we get up for church and we get up for war when necessary.
Rest in Peace Lt.Blue, you deserve it.
Thank you for your gentle correction of this mistake. There can be lot's of "soldiers" and "sailors" and "airmen" - but ALWAYS - Marines...
For all of them, we grieve. For those who mourn them, we pray.
Our family condolences and prayers
We are in the present of greatness.
http://kristyjackson.com/salute/i_salute_you.mp3
My family salutes you. Thank you. Now we will stand for you.
To look in the eyes of those who have lost their loved ones who have given their lives for this country and thank them from the bottom of my heart is one of the greatest honors I have ever had.
God bless this family and give them comfort and peace!
“My loyalty to Country, this soldier and the family is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to a patriot soldier and family ready to defend them who defended our freedoms for us.”
Twelfth generation American Patriot
Family fought in the American Revolution, Battle of Wilderness, Civil War, WWI WWII Korea with Sacrifice
Standing by in Naperville
“To Care For Him Who Shall Have Borne The Battle” - Abraham Lincoln
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For all of them, we grieve. For those who mourn them, we pray.
Our family condolences and prayers
We are in the present of greatness.
http://kristyjackson.com/salute/i_salute_you.mp3
My family salutes you. Thank you. Now we will stand for you.
To look in the eyes of those who have lost their loved ones who have given their lives for this country and thank them from the bottom of my heart is one of the greatest honors I have ever had.
God bless this family and give them comfort and peace!
“My loyalty to Country, this soldier and the family is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to a patriot soldier and family ready to defend them who defended our freedoms for us.”
Twelfth generation American Patriot
Family fought in the American Revolution, Battle of Wilderness, Civil War, WWI WWII Korea with Sacrifice
Standing by in Naperville
“To Care For Him Who Shall Have Borne The Battle” - Abraham Lincoln
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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