Hoosier Hills Armed Forces Families

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need.

Monday, August 28, 2006

Marine returning to Iraq

Also we thought we would let you know that our son, Nick, heads back to Iraq next Tue-Wed. He's going back to the same place he was at lst year. Things are hotter now than they was. The unit he will be relieving has lost 7 marines in two weeks. That's more than Nicks unit lost the 7 months they were there before. Plus there is a 50 to 50 chance that they will not be using his unit as a speciality unit. Nick for 2 1/2 years has only been trained as a speciality unit in the LAV'S. There is talk that this time they will be used on foot. Nick has had NO training on foot patrol, so that put's him in even more danger not having the training he needs. PLEASE feel free to pass this on and PLEASE keep Nick in your prayers.............Kim

Saturday, August 12, 2006

How many Mobilized?

National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Mobilized as of August 2, 2006

This week, the Army, Navy and Marine Corps announced an increase in the
number of reservists on active duty in support of the partial mobilization, while
the Air Force number decreased. The Coast Guard number remained the same.
The net collective result is 717 fewer reservists mobilized than last week.

At any given time, services may mobilize some units and individuals while
demobilizing others, making it possible for these figures to either increase
or decrease.

Total number currently on active duty in support of the partial
mobilization for the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 88,905; Navy
Reserve, 5,538; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 5,549; Marine
Corps Reserve, 7,340; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 315.

This brings the total National Guard and Reserve personnel, who have been mobilized, to 107,647, including both units and individual augmentees. A cumulative roster of all
National Guard and Reserve personnel, who are currently mobilized, can be found at
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Aug2006/d20060802ngr.pdf

To Kill An American

Written by an Australian Dentist

To Kill an American
You probably missed it in the rush of news last week, but there was
actually a report that someone in Pakistan had published in a newspaper
an offer of a reward to anyone who killed an American, any American.

So an Australian dentist wrote an editorial the following day to let
everyone know what an American is . So they would know when they found
one. (Good one, mate!!!!)

"An American is English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish,
Polish, Russian or Greek. An American may also be Canadian, Mexican,
African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Asian,
or Arab, or Pakistani or Afghan.

An American may also be a Comanche, Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, Navaho,
Apache, Seminole or one of the many other tribes known as native
Americans.

An American is Christian, or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim.
In fact, there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan. The only
difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them
chooses.

An American is also free to believe in no religion. For that he will
answer only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to
speak for the government and for God.

An American lives in the most prosperous land in the history of the
world.
The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of
Independence, which recognizes the God given right of each person to the
pursuit of happiness.

An American is generous. Americans have helped out just about every
other nation in the world in their time of need, never asking a thing in
return.

When Afghanistan was over-run by the Soviet army 20 years ago, Americans
came with arms and supplies to enable the people to win back their
country!

As of the morning of September 11, Americans had given more than any
other nation to the poor in Afghanistan. Americans welcome the best of
everything..
.the best products, the best books, the best music, the best
food, the best services. But they also welcome the least.

The national symbol of America, The Statue of Liberty , welcomes your
tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the
homeless, tempest tossed. These in fact are the people who built
America.

Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of September
11, 2001 earning a better life for their families. It's been told that
the World Trade Center victims were from at least 30 different
countries, cultures, and first languages, including those that aided and
abetted the terrorists.

So you can try to kill an American if you must. Hitler did. So did
General Tojo, and Stalin, and Mao Tse-Tung, and other blood-thirsty
tyrants in the world. But, in doing so you would just be killing
yourself. Because Americans are not a particular people from a
particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of
freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American.

Daughter of a Soldier

Last week I was in Atlanta, Georgia attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer.

Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's, as they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.

Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal.

Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said "hi," the little girl then she asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her.

The young soldier, who didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.

The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up. When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.
After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you." He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying "your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon."

The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mom.

I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event unfolded. As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, their were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be an American.

A Little Perspective

LITTLE PERSPECTIVE

Your alarm goes off, you hit the snooze and sleep for another 10 minutes.
He stays up for days on end.
-- --
You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
He goes days or weeks without running water.
-- --
You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.
He gets shot at, as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.
-- --
You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt
He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.
-- --
You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.
-- --
You talk trash on your "buddies" that aren't with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.
-- --
You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He walks the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.
-- --
You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.
-- --
You go out to lunch,and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He does not get to eat today.
-- --
Your mother makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for months, but makes sure his weapons are clean.
-- --
You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.
-- --
You are angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He is told he will be held an extra 2 months.
----
You call your girlfriend and set a date for that night.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.
-- --
You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.
-- --
You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with photos of his new child,wonders if they'll ever meet.
-- --
You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own government
and remembers why he is fighting.
-- --
You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of the men like him.
He hears the gun fire and bombs.
-- --
You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the bodies lying around him.
-- --
You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.
He does what he is told.
-- --
You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call and write home, sleep, and eat.
-- --
You crawl into your bed, with down pillows, and try to get comfortable.
He crawls under a tank for shade & a 5 minute nap, only to be woken by gunfire.
-- --
You sit there and judge him, saying the world is a worse place because of men like him.
If only there were more men like him

Let's say thanks

I have received this from several people:

If you go to this web site, "www.letssaythanks.com" you can pick out a thank
you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is
currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go
to some member of the armed services.
How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!!
This is a great site. Please send a card.

It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the
soldiers received a bunch of these?

Whether you are for or against the war, our guys and gals over there need to
know we are behind them...