Four Years Later

It's funny how in our lives that some years drag by when our soldiers are deployed . But how when one of our Angelverssiary's are upon us it really does feel like it just happened yesterday for me. I can only imagine what it must feel like for my husband and for those family members who are left behind. I know it seems as most have moved on and are trying to live their lives. But I also know how the losses have forever changed my husband & myself.  Four years later we are still remembering those two brave soldiers we lost today in Iraq. Four years later a lot of good men are asking the question still in their heads "what if?" What if I had done this or what if we had done that. The losses felt so keenly four years ago can still be felt just as much today. We never forget the sacrifices that where made by the group of guys who lost so many. They are forever ingrained in my heart. For a moment today I ask you stop and take the time to go remember with the rest of us so that we may never forget that Freedom is never Free.

Page of Remembrance   Go scroll through the faces of those young brave soldiers then pay close attention that today we remember & honor  Cpl Luke Runyan & Cpl Chad Groepper.

2BN/23IN RECON 2007 - 2008

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

Who are YOU to Judge?

Damn Right!!! These are comments made by Allen West, LTC, U.S. Army (Ret.) on the Marine incident in Afghanistan to the Weekly Standard:

Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.), a former Army lieutenant colonel, sends THE WEEKLY STANDARD an email commenting on the Marines' video, and has given us permission to publish it.

“I have sat back and assessed the incident with the video of our Marines urinating on Taliban corpses. I do not recall any self-righteous indignation when our Delta snipers Shughart and Gordon had their bodies dragged through Mogadishu. Neither do I recall media outrage and condemnation of our Blackwater security contractors being killed, their bodies burned, and hung from a bridge in Fallujah.

“All these over-emotional pundits and armchair quarterbacks need to chill. Does anyone remember the two Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division who were beheaded and gutted in Iraq?

“The Marines were wrong. Give them a maximum punishment under field grade level Article 15 (non-judicial punishment), place a General Officer level letter of reprimand in their personnel file, and have them in full dress uniform stand before their Battalion, each personally apologize to God, Country, and Corps videotaped and conclude by singing the full US Marine Corps Hymn without a teleprompter.

“As for everyone else, unless you have been shot at by the Taliban, shut your mouth, war is hell.”


** My thoughts & opinion **

I know I have possibly stirred the pot with this post and frankly don't care. I am really sick and tired of the Liberal American public screaming for blood everytime our soldiers do something that yes we know is wrong, but if you look through the history books is no worse then what has been done to our Americans.

Does it make it right-NO. Does it make those soldiers really stupid for video taping it- YES! Should they receive punishment- Yes.

But it should be handled by their Commanding Officer & Unit. They should NOT serve as an "example" because so many arm-chaired quarter backs who have never once stood up to say  " I'll go, I'll go take the chance that I may die for all those in my country I do not even know." 
 Because of these brave Marines & all the military who have come before them you have that right to scream at the top of your lungs. But while your screaming for justice take a stroll through the history book and a look at all the injustices that have occurred over the years to our men and women. Is it any better or any worse then what is now being played over and over on your TV screens? It doesn't make their actions right- they should get punished. But is should be handled with-in their Unit's not because it's what the American public thinks should happen. They served probably multiple deployments- they have invisible wounds you & I may never see. Instead of condemning how about suggesting & volunteering solutions for all our military who are tired & exhausted after a decade at war.

Once again these are my thoughts & may not make you happy. Please feel free to disagree, but know if your comments get to nasty they will be deleted. Please make your point in a way as to not scream obscenties from my BLOG. It's my BLOG there for I can have any opinion I want.

Have a great Saturday every one. Thank you to all those including my husband who are serving overseas or have served. 

It's Christmas Eve Already....in Afghanistan

My sweet soldier just popped up on my Facebook chat to let me know it was Christmas Eve already in his part of the world. Breaks my heart he is so far away with nothing special planned for the evening but more work. Remember to say a prayer for all those who are still serving around the globe so we might enjoy our Christmas safely in our homes. Also prayers for the families who stay at home & wait.

Christmas Lights That Can Be Seen

We had a lot of fun last night heading to see Fantasy Christmas Lights at Spanaway park. It's a huge golf course they decorate with thousands of  Christmas Lights. You turn on your parking lights to drive through with Christmas music playing on their radio station. We have never gone before so the kids where all super excited! Jeremy went in his pj's & they all grabbed their snacks to take in the van. As we started all the boys where ewwwing & ahhhing to all the twinkling lights. Every turn down a road led to a new display. We then got into the discussion after seeing a polar bear fishing that we missed their dad & how he would love all the lights. I remembered I could record a short video from my camera so that is exactly what we did. We knew with him being in Afghanistan the chances of hearing Christmas music or seeing any lights was slim. This is the first deployment I had not mailed a small tree to him with ornaments so we where all a bit sad. We discussed how cool it would be for my husband to be able to hear the music & see some of the twinkling lights. I never imagined how cool it would be to hear the conversation going on during the video as well. The boys forgot we where recording it all & I got some great conversation for my husband as well.

Just try to remember for those of you who have your soldier home there are still thousands deployed this year. As happy as we all are your soldier made it back to you please continue to pray for those still waiting at home. I know two of my boys this week have broken down in tears. I am so happy we got to get out of the house last night & experience some Christmas Joy. Have a great weekend everyone!

At the end of the drive Matthew jumped out which was against the rules in order for me to snap a quick picture. All the while a lady from way far away is yelling " get back in your van & keep moving!". Well there where no cars in front or behind us folks & I wanted a picture! HAHA- Matthew & I laughed all the way home about " breaking the law"...another fun memory deposited in the memory banks of my children.

Knots in My Stomach

When you wake up to log into your Facebook first thing with your cup of coffee while your soldier is deployed & the first headline you read puts your stomach into knots, makes you nauseous, you know it's going to be a bad day. I knew as soon as I took my first sip of coffee & hit my Facebook icon. The screen popped to life & the first headline I saw was 31 US Troops Killed, 7 Afghans in NATO Helicopter Crash This was a huge SHOCK!! It's no secret my husband is deployed with the NATO team they have pictures up almost daily of his peers. Yesterday's pictures just happen to be of his bosses & his peers as they traveled by Helicopter around Afghanistan. I knew in my heart/head that my soldier was safe, but the dread & sadness at the thought of our friends receiving the news that would forever change their lives, sickened me greatly.

According to all the news reports that are slowly being released this is the single most deadly day for the US since 2005 when 16 Americans where killed. We know now that 25 of those soldier's that gave the ultimate sacrifice where from the Navy Seal family. We pray for them & their loved ones left behind who must learn how to move forward. I also ask that you keep all the remaining soldier's that are in Kabul trying to make sense of this in prayer for comfort. That they are able to focus & continue on in their jobs. This is a sad, dark day for all American soldiers. It is another reality we as spouses left behind to wait must deal with- fear so great you are paralyzed until you hear from your soldier.

31 Special Ops Troops Dead