As the business war on the air is hotting up with so many low-budget
airlines dominating the sky, the passengers can now enjoy the best
deals. The webguide - http://cheapairtickets.myguideforlife.com -
helps you find the cheapest and even free air tickets to make your
journey ore happier and very less expensive.
Visit the website now to find out how to get the cheap and free air
tickets: http://cheapairtickets.myguideforlife.com
It is very easy to have no connection with the teenagers in harm's way--Briskey
My Heart on the Line By Frank Schaeffer The Washington Post
Before my son became a Marine, I never thought much about who was defending me. Now when I read of the war on terrorism or the coming conflict inIraq, it cuts to my heart. When I see a picture of a member of our military who has been killed, I read his or her name very carefully. Sometimes I cry.
In 1999, when the barrel-chested Marine recruiter showed up in dress blues and bedazzled my son John, I did not stand in the way. John was headstrong, and he seemed to understand these stern, clean men with straight backs and flawless uniforms. I did not. I live in the Volvo-driving, higher education- worshiping North Shore of Boston. I write novels for a living. I have never served in the military.
It had been hard enough sending my two older children off toGeorgetownandNew YorkUniversity. John's enlisting was unexpected, so deeply unsettling. I did not relish the prospect of answering the question, "So where is John going to college?" from the parents who were itching to tell me all about how their son or daughter was going to Harvard. At the private high school John attended, no other students were going into the military.
"But aren't the Marines terribly Southern?" asked one perplexed mother while standing next to me at the brunch following graduation. "What a waste, he was such a good student," said another parent. One parent (a professor at a nearby and rather famous university) spoke up at a school meeting and suggested that the school should "carefully evaluate what went wrong."
When John graduated from three months of boot camp onParris Island, 3,000 parents and friends were on the parade deck stands. We parents and our Marines not only were of many races but also were representative of many economic classes. Many were poor. Some arrived crammed in the backs of pickups, others by bus. John told me that a lot of parents could not afford the trip.
We in the audience were white and Native American. We were Hispanic, Arab and African American and Asian. We were former Marines wearing the scars of battle, or at least baseball caps emblazoned with battles' names. We were Southern whites fromNashvilleand skinheads fromNew Jersey, black kids fromClevelandwearing ghetto rags and white ex-cons with ham-hock forearms defaced by jailhouse tattoos. We would not have been mistaken for the educated and well-heeled parents gathered on the lawns of John's private school a half-year before.
After graduation one new Marine told John, "Before I was a Marine, if I had ever seen you on my block I would've probably killed you just because you were standing there." This was a serious statement from one of John's good friends, an African American ex-gang member fromDetroitwho, as John said, "would die for me now, just like I'd die for him."
My son has connected me to my country in a way that I was too selfish and insular to experience before. I feel closer to the waitress at our local diner than to some of my oldest friends. She has two sons in the Corps. They are facing the same dangers as my boy. When the guy who fixes my car asks me how John is doing, I know he means it. His younger brother is in the Navy.
Why were I and the other parents at my son's private school so surprised by his choice? During World War II, the sons and daughters of the most powerful and educated families did their bit. If the idea of the immorality of the Vietnam War was the only reason those lucky enough to go to college dodged the draft, why did we not encourage our children to volunteer for military service once that war was done?
Have we wealthy and educated Americans all become pacifists? Is the world a safe place? Or have we just gotten used to having somebody else defend us? What is the future of our democracy when the sons and daughters of the janitors at our elite universities are far more likely to be put in harm's way than are any of the students whose dorms their parents clean?
I feel shame because it took my son's joining the Marine Corps to make me take notice of who is defending me. I feel hope because perhaps my son is part of a future "greatest generation." As the storm clouds of war gather, at least I know that I can look the men and women in uniform in the eye. My son is one of them. He is the best I have to offer. He is my heart.
Pam Wood, Instructor Texas State Technical College Dental Assistant Department 3801 Campus Drive Waco, TX 76705 (254)867-3460 fax (254)867-2239
"The Love of a parent is constant; whether through the eyes that gaze upon the toddler teetering on the edge of discovery, or the heart that misses the Marine that is discovering the World, it never waivers."
1st deployment - Al Asad, Iraq (8/24/06)
2nd deployment - currently deployed on the USS Tarawa
If anyone knows a phone # for me to get in touch with Gunny Sunday or Kathy I would appreciate it. Or if you'd rather not give it out without checking with them first please feel free to ask them to get in touch with me. Just wanted to let them know Andy will be home during June. Also he is going to be a daddy. Want to get the Sunday's address to send Kathy an invite to baby shower. Thanks for any help. Carol Palmer
We had a wonderful Memorial Day Ceremony here in Mason, more than 120 folks gathered on the Courthouse Square to join our Ceremony. As usual, our WWI rifles shook the windows around the Square. Hope that all of you are well today & may God bless & keep you all,
Love, Gail
Shanley & Coldiron PO Box 1605 Mason, TX 76856 USA 325-347-9016 800-662-1270 www.IrishTexans.com
'
Subject: For Memorial Day
Keep it moving, please, even if you've seen it before. It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN who salutes the Flag, It is the veteran who serves under the Flag, ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.
I'd be EXTREMELY proud if this email reached as many as possible. We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.
Aunt Nancy reminded me of William's BD coming up on May 20th. He will be 22! She reminded me so we could get everybody to mail him cards and or packages since it takes 2-4 weeks to get things to him. I hope everyone can at least put a card in the mail for him it is the same postage as it would be for anywhere else. His address is:
LCpl Miller, William W Headquarters and Service Co. 2nd BN 3rd MAR unit 44045 FPO AP 96607-4045
Thank you Aunt Nancy i need all the help i can get! Walter and Kim
Proud parents of Lcpl William Miller!
Kim,
Very Proud parent of Marine
Lcpl William Miller
Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.
Hey Pam, I saw you in the pictures on wacotrib.com - the ones taken at the Welcome home party! There is a young Marine family there - towards the end of the pictures - I know them - they are so sweet. Dad wasn't home for new baby's birth, but was on phone with Mom the whole time!
Donna Very Proud Mom of Cpl. Josh Reyes and LCpl. Justin Reyes
To: CentralTexasMarineFamilies@yahoogroups.com From: pam.wood@... Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:02:28 +0000 Subject: [CentralTexasMarineFamilies] March 25
I hope you've made plans to attend our meeting tomorrow night. We'll
be in one of the meeting rooms at Ryan's Family Steakhouse on Valley
Mills Drive in Waco. We'll start at 6:30 but if you get there earlier
or later, it'll be okay. I'm usually there early.
Another apology from me. I promise they are real. I had plans to show tommorrow, but I have pink eye. Carol
In a message dated 03/24/08 15:02:51 Central Daylight Time, pam.wood@... writes:
I hope you've made plans to attend our meeting tomorrow night. We'll be in one of the meeting rooms at Ryan's Family Steakhouse on Valley Mills Drive in Waco. We'll start at 6:30 but if you get there earlier or later, it'll be okay. I'm usually there early.
Wish I could of been there but I had to get up early the next day to get to Austin airport to pick up my youngest(he'd gone to Camp Pendleton to see his big brother) some Marine exposure LOL. Since the guys came in so late I was unable to show up. Carol
In a message dated 03/24/08 14:58:27 Central Daylight Time, pam.wood@... writes:
I went to the Homecoming and even though I think I was the only one who wasn't a family member of a Marine who was coming home that night, I had a wonderful time making posters, talking with families, and handing out American flags. Waco's mayor was there, talking to everyone and thanking them for their son's/daughter's/wife's/husband's service to our country.
If we ever get the chance to do this again, I'd definitely participate and would encourage others to do so as well.
Pam Wood, Instructor Texas State Technical College Dental Assistant Department 3801 Campus Drive Waco, TX 76705 (254)867-3460 fax (254)867-2239
"The Love of a parent is constant; whether through the eyes that gaze upon the toddler teetering on the edge of discovery, or the heart that misses the Marine that is discovering the World, it never waivers."
1st deployment - Al Asad, Iraq (8/24/06)
2nd deployment - currently deployed on the USS Tarawa
I hope you've made plans to attend our meeting tomorrow night. We'll
be in one of the meeting rooms at Ryan's Family Steakhouse on Valley
Mills Drive in Waco. We'll start at 6:30 but if you get there earlier
or later, it'll be okay. I'm usually there early.
I went to the Homecoming and even though I think I was the only one
who wasn't a family member of a Marine who was coming home that night,
I had a wonderful time making posters, talking with families, and
handing out American flags. Waco's mayor was there, talking to
everyone and thanking them for their son's/daughter's/wife's/husband's
service to our country.
If we ever get the chance to do this again, I'd definitely participate
and would encourage others to do so as well.
We got the time for the Home Coming for the Waco Marines.
See attached Email.
Elfie
----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Kurt <heymoe@...> Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2008 7:27:19 PM Subject: Here's the plan for ... WACO MARINES RETURNING FROM IRAQ
Please give this the widest dissemination. The news media will be out there as well.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am happy to inform you that our Marines that have just spent approximately seven months in Iraq will be returning to Wacoon Friday the 21th of March at approximately 2300 (11:00pm). They will be arriving at our Reserve Training Center via ground transportation located at 2100 N New Rd, Waco, TX. We will be conducting a Return and Reunion with our Marines, Family, and Friends of the community that wish to attend and support their local Marine Corps Unit.
If you are a family member unsure if your Marine is returning tomorrow, please contact me at the below number. I will return all calls that leave a message as soon as possible. Please be patient, we are very busy at this time.
P.S. You are welcome to arrive as early as 2200 (10:00pm).
Semper Fidelis, 1stSgt Torres (254) 772-5541 ext 3002
"Nearly every society has had its element of cruel and sadistic monsters preying on the helpless and innocent. We call ours, The Drill Instructor."
This is wonderful.....we need more positive thoughts about the war and our Marines.
Just a side note: My Marine, Cpl. Josh Reyes, is home on leave after his 7month deployment to Iraq.
Unfortunately he returns to Camp Pendleton next week.
Donna Very Proud Mom of Cpl. Josh Reyes and LCpl. Justin Reyes
To: CentralTexasMarineFamilies@yahoogroups.com From: elfida@... Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:54:46 -0500 Subject: [CentralTexasMarineFamilies] Fw: Waco Marines returning from Iraq
We got this email from a friend and we would like to pass it on. As soon as we get the exact time we will post it here. If any one already has the time of arrival. please post it. We will try and be there. If any one else can go, this is a good time to show our support and be there in our Central Texas Marine Families T-shirts.
Elfie
----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Kurt
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 6:09:42 PM Subject: Waco Marines returning from Iraq
This is just a heads up for now. Please stand at the ready to show your support and appreciation this weekend to all the Marines from the Waco I&I running from Iraq this weekend (we're expecting them Friday).
The 1sgtSgt arranged for the Marines are being bused in from the DFW airport directly to the I&I and we'd like to have a big Marine welcome home crowd (with American and USMC flags) waiting for them (Read his email below). When the 1stSgt gets the exact time of arrival I'll email it to you. Please feel free to call me as well. My phone number is below
Please pass this along to EVERYONE you know. They don't have to be Marines. We'd love EVERYONE to come out. I'll call the news media and let them know as well.
Lets make them all proud!
Kurt
-----Original Message----- From: Torres 1stSgt Maximino Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 2:41 PM To: My Home Subject: RE: Returning Marines
Kurt, Date of arrival is still unknown, however we are expecting them to arrive this weekend. We have 27 Marines returning if they all come in at once. They have been in IRAQ for seven months. The I&I address is 2100 N New Rd. It would be awesome to be able to line everyone up with American and Marine Corps Flags on the corner of Trice and New Rd to the Reserve Center at the above address (approximately 150 meters). If this can happen, coordination with the Waco PD may be required.
We got this email from a friend and we would like to pass it on. As soon as we get the exact time we will post it here. If any one already has the time of arrival. please post it. We will try and be there. If any one else can go, this is a good time to show our support and be there in our Central Texas Marine Families T-shirts.
Elfie
----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Kurt
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 6:09:42 PM Subject: Waco Marines returning from Iraq
This is just a heads up for now. Please stand at the ready to show your support and appreciation this weekend to all the Marines from the Waco I&I running from Iraq this weekend (we're expecting them Friday).
The 1sgtSgt arranged for the Marines are being bused in from the DFW airport directly to the I&I and we'd like to have a big Marine welcome home crowd (with American and USMC flags) waiting for them (Read his email below). When the 1stSgt gets the exact time of arrival I'll email it to you. Please feel free to call me as well. My phone number is below
Please pass this along to EVERYONE you know. They don't have to be Marines. We'd love EVERYONE to come out. I'll call the news media and let them know as well.
Lets make them all proud!
Kurt
-----Original Message----- From: Torres 1stSgt Maximino Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 2:41 PM To: My Home Subject: RE: Returning Marines
Kurt, Date of arrival is still unknown, however we are expecting them to arrive this weekend. We have 27 Marines returning if they all come in at once. They have been in IRAQ for seven months. The I&I address is 2100 N New Rd. It would be awesome to be able to line everyone up with American and Marine Corps Flags on the corner of Trice and New Rd to the Reserve Center at the above address (approximately 150 meters). If this can happen, coordination with the Waco PD may be required.
You are invited to attend
The next meeting of the
Central Texas Marine Families
Support Group
Date: March 25, 2008
Time: 6:30 PM
Place: Ryan's Family Steakhouse
Waco, Texas
Just look for the meeting room with the Marine flag
This is a "regrouping" of past, present and future members. The
Waco Recruiting Station mailed out numerous invitations to poolees
and their families. We want to welcome them to the Marine family
and introduce them to our group.
Our purpose is to support each other as our poolees, recruits, and
Marines move forward. We are parents, family, and friends of
Marines who have experienced many of the things you will be going
through and may have some "words of wisdom" to help you through the
bad times and some "ooh rahs" during the good ones. In addition,
several of our members are Marines and one is a former Marine
recruiter so if you have questions to ask, this is the place to do
it.
We'd like our past and present members to bring a picture of their
Marine to show the group. Be prepared to brag about your Marine
(Which is what we do best, right?) and talk about your experiences
with the Marine Corps.
Remember, you are not required to purchase a meal, just come and
enjoy the group discussions.
Please join us during this time.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.
nice to have some time with the family huh. We have not mapped out our route yet but we are going to try to come through there on our way to Cali so we can stop in an see yall. Talk to you soon,
God Bless You,
Brandi Porter
Team Leader
Homemade Gourmet®
"Eating out is expensive, Eating in with your family...Priceless!"
Pam Wood, Instructor Texas State Technical College Dental Assistant Department 3801 Campus Drive Waco, TX 76705 (254)867-3460 fax (254)867-2239
"The Love of a parent is constant; whether through the eyes that gaze upon the toddler teetering on the edge of discovery, or the heart that misses the Marine that is discovering the World, it never waivers."
1st deployment - Al Asad, Iraq (8/24/06)
2nd deployment - currently deployed on the USS Tarawa
very inspirational, go to the end !!
>>> "Phyllis Oblinger" <Phyllis@...> 2/5/2008 12:50 AM >>>
This is AWESOME!! Had to share.
A little bit long (maybe 4-5 minutes), but OH SO good! Really worth listenng to it all the way to the end!
This ought to be required viewing for all candidates for public office!
Listen to the combined choirs of 4 highschools and see if you don't get a little teary eyed.
Battle Hymn of the Republic Like you have never heard it
----- Original Message ---- From: Kathy Sunday <kathysunday@...> To: nathalirebollar@...; CentralTexasMarineFamilies@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, January 3, 2008 4:57:57 PM Subject: Re: [CentralTexasMarineFamilies] I have another question?
Nathali,
My husband and I just took our little boy on a trip to Michigan and he did very well on the flight. He just turned a year old on January 1st. I would make sure you bring lots of things to keep him occupied, such as books & toys. Also snacks and juice. Our son usually fell asleep on take off, so it did not bother his ears that much. If you decide to take him, you may want to give him something to suck on (bottle or sippy cup) during take of, it will help his ears pop during the change in elevation.
I have a baby that will be one on March 5th. I don't know if I should go to my brothers Graduation with my baby? I've never been on a plane and so I don't know if Seth will be ok? Need advice. Thanks
My husband and I just took our little boy on a trip to Michigan and he did very well on the flight. He just turned a year old on January 1st. I would make sure you bring lots of things to keep him occupied, such as books & toys. Also snacks and juice. Our son usually fell asleep on take off, so it did not bother his ears that much. If you decide to take him, you may want to give him something to suck on (bottle or sippy cup) during take of, it will help his ears pop during the change in elevation.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Kathy Sunday
GySgt Sunday's wife, but I am also a marine.
Nathali <nathalirebollar@...> wrote:
I have a baby that will be one on March 5th. I don't know if I should go to my brothers Graduation with my baby? I've never been on a plane and so I don't know if Seth will be ok? Need advice. Thanks
I have a baby that will be one on March 5th. I don't know if I should
go to my brothers Graduation with my baby? I've never been on a plane
and so I don't know if Seth will be ok? Need advice. Thanks
Nathali