Homecoming - Thank You to our Military
- posted by: Cheryl
- posted in: Uncategorized, My Life
- on: August 13, 2008
The last couple of days I’ve been down and out and not feeling that well. Sometimes being sick or injured stops your daily life from spinning and helps you to slow down. It helps you to count your blessings or to think about what you’re grateful for.
I was going through some Fiskateer archives on You Tube . . . the videos of the leads, Brains on Fire, Fiskars and the Nifty Fifty when we were in San Antonio. One of the videos is called “Thanks from Fiskateer 1, 2 and 3″ (thanks for posting that Jen). I am grateful for that time and for the whole Fiskateer community!
While I was viewing that, I ran across another video with the words ‘thanks’ . . . giving thanks to our troops. It must have been put together at Thanksgiving but it says that everyday we should thank those men and women that serve and give the ultimate sacrifice. I agree.
As I randomly clicked on this video I wept. I remember the day that I had to say good bye to my husband (I was engaged at the time). It was near the end of his term in the Marine Corps. and we had no idea that this would be the beginning of a war. I remember watching him say goodbye to his best friend who is about 6′ 6′’. The emotion between the two was something I will long not forget. I remember trying to be strong (although the tears fell) and after seeing him off, I walked through my mom and dad’s door and broke down. At that time Rodney couldn’t tell us where he was going but this was the beginning of Desert Shield/Storm.
Then I remember the day he came home after a little over a year. The anticipation, the excitement, the emotion . . . the homecoming. It was my family, friends, myself . . . waiting anxiously for Rodney’s arrival. We arrived on base at the time they specified. We were turned away as they announced that the plane would not arrive today . . . maybe tomorrow. Almost everyone sadly got in their vehicles and started to drive off. Half way home we noticed a large military plane flying towards the base and my dad turned that car around. Some others had the same idea. Sadly many had already started their journey home and some of the men and women wouldn’t have family there to greet them. As men and women got off the plane, the whole crowd present was thanking them, applauding them, waving their flags, strangers were shaking their hands or hugging them. We were thanking them all. I will never forget when I saw my man . . . the feeling! I have photos in a box with letters from the war. It still seems a little fresh to scrap although it’s been years. I want my daughter to know this story, to know how grateful I am that God brought her daddy home safely, to be grateful to our military for the sacrifices they have made in the past, present and that they will make in the future.
I know that no one likes war . . . and no matter what side of the fence we stand on regarding our thoughts about the war . . . our service men and women are still out there serving our country and putting their lives on the line. They are sacrificing much and deserve our prayers and thanks. So I’m praying for a safe homecoming for many tonight . . . I’m saying some extra prayers for our military personnel serving all around the world. Every day is a day to say thank you to them.
And a special thanks and prayers for to those men and women and their families that have paid the ultimate price.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rfTxoxTE5s&feature=related
Julie Overby says:
August 13th, 2008 at 12:41 amWow. What an amazing video. What amazing words you have spoken. I have not had to live through the pain of watching a loved one go off to war but my heart strings have definitely been pulled on.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, to those who have made so much sacrifice for our freedom.
Jane Hasty says:
August 13th, 2008 at 12:48 amWow! I am so grateful although I am sitting here speechless. Awesome post Cheryl! TFS, Jane
sharon says:
August 13th, 2008 at 3:02 amWELL SAID, Cheryl!!!!
Meghan E says:
August 13th, 2008 at 7:12 amThank you for sharing your wonderful story! You definitely need to scrap that for your daughter
Jeni Johnson says:
August 13th, 2008 at 8:22 amTouching post Cheryl! I got goosebumps reading it! It is a wonderful reminder that as each of us go about our daily lives, our military men & women are out there sacrificing their lives and giving up precious time away from their families for our freedom & safety. I am truly THANKFUL to them and their families…and always pray for their safe return home.
Pinky #3405 says:
August 13th, 2008 at 8:41 amI agree 100% It’s always a day to remember everyone that is missing family to the military. Specially now days. They are heroes.
Laura B says:
August 13th, 2008 at 8:49 amAmen!
RitaS says:
August 13th, 2008 at 9:19 amAll your journaling is RIGHT HERE Cheryl. Be sure to use it and scrap those photos. I couldn’t read your post without a few tears. Our family lifts up all soldiers every night, and their families, and pray that leaders seek God’s wisdom and discernment. Each of us is affected by their sacrifices. I created a digi LO in July with this in mind, and posted it in the gallery even though it is digital.
http://www.fiskateers.com/community/photo/25324/
HUGS and thanks for sharing yours, and Rodney’s, story.
Merlene says:
August 13th, 2008 at 9:19 amThank you Cheryl. Well said, and it was a very touching video. What hit me was how very young most of them are, yet they sacrafice so much so that we can continue to enjoy the FREEDOMS that no other country in this world has. Thank you to all of our military personnel and their families.
Amy #4257 says:
August 13th, 2008 at 9:28 amIm speechless - thanks for sharing this touching post.
Vicki Bell #1766 says:
August 13th, 2008 at 9:31 amCheryl,
This is so touching. Thank you for sharing your story with us and thank you for the reminder to be thankful for all of our service men and women. All of them (and thier families) sacrifice SO much for us every single day.
Thank you and I am hugging you right now in my mind.
Cheryl says:
August 13th, 2008 at 9:40 amThanks for your wonderful post, Cheryl. I am so thankful to all of our military and their families for the sacrifices they make for us every day.
Kim Williams says:
August 13th, 2008 at 9:49 amI sat at work watching the video with tears streaming down my face, hoping someone wouldn’t walk in and wonder what was wrong. I was truly taken back by the pure joy and love that showed on the faces of both family members and soldiers. My husband is a firefighter and goes off to fight major fires one or two times a year. I know how it feels to not know if he is safe and the feeling I have when he returns after being gone for only 7-10 days - I can’t even fathom how many times that feeling is multiplied when family members are gone for months and years at a time. God Bless all those in the military and their families that support them. The sacrifices you are all making are immense and I am humbled and thankful for all of you.
kimberlee #2494 says:
August 13th, 2008 at 10:04 amWow, what a neat to story to share, Cheryl! I love it and I appreciate it. And I found myself getting teary eyed.
inkmemory tanya says:
August 13th, 2008 at 10:22 amWhat a sad story with a happy ending. My heart go’s out to all of those that are going through this, and to those in the military. May Gad bring them all home safely.
Michelle #2068 says:
August 13th, 2008 at 10:37 amWhat a great post Cheryl. We just recently went through this great seperation with my daughter. Even though she is still training you still have the same feelings knowing full well that the Army will send her away. It is hard to be strong and they tell you not to cry but it never happens. All I know is we are extremely proud of her just as I know you were of your husband. Thanks again for sharing, I have been saving everything for my daughter to scrap for her.
Michelle 3624 says:
August 13th, 2008 at 11:23 amGreat post Cheryl I have tears in my eyes.I also have
great respect for those that serve our country and those families the support them!
I hope your feeling better enjoy your day.
Patty 2832 says:
August 13th, 2008 at 11:35 amHope you are feeling better, Cheryl!
You are such a sweetheart!
Hugs!
Betsy #2572 says:
August 13th, 2008 at 11:47 amyour words convey what I know so many including myself feel! Thanks for sharing that video.
lydia #3510 says:
August 13th, 2008 at 11:54 amThanks for sharing..what a touching story Cheryl!!we are indeed thankful for our military and the sacrifices they make each day!
lydia #3510 says:
August 13th, 2008 at 11:56 amwish I could watch the video..Utube is banned from our server!
Dawn/Froggy #3117 says:
August 13th, 2008 at 12:50 pmI hope you are feeling better Cheryl!!
Katie #4052 says:
August 13th, 2008 at 3:25 pmThank you for the reminder to be grateful, Cheryl. My cousin is serving as a Dr in the Army and spent a year at the ER in Baghdad. Although I remember to thank him on the “appointed” days…Memorial Day, 4th of July, Veteran’s Day….I should thank him (and all service men and women) more often. It’s so easy to take our freedoms for granted, we should all take time to remember the price that has been paid for them for us. Blessings!
Sandy #1781 says:
August 13th, 2008 at 4:44 pmThanks Cheryl, you said everything so well. I recently posted a challenge to all Fiskateers to make blank cards for all occasions and find someone who can give you an address to send a box full. Or contact Scrapbook Royalty for help. Our service men and women do not have a Hallmark nearby, so we need to provide them with cards they can send home to their friends and family. Remember, it can take 6 weeks to get to them, and another 6 weeks for them to send one home, so start with Christmas and include Valentine’s Day, Birthday’s, Anniversary’s, Thinking of You’s, etc. Have Fun.
Yessica says:
August 13th, 2008 at 4:53 pmHi Cheryl, my husband, back then fiancee was also part of Desert Storm / Desert Shield (USMC). I remember it as if it was yesterday. I was glued to CNN day and night watching and just wondering…….he was sent towards the end of the war. I am thankful everyday that he did make it home safely. I hope all of our men and women make it home safely too. Many blessings to them for a safe return!!!!
Debby 2852 says:
August 13th, 2008 at 7:05 pmCheryl, God helps us to remember our blessings in times of dispare. I’m old enough to remember my dad going to Vietnam. It was a frightening year to a little girl. I cried most days and prayed for daddy to come home. I was blessed to have my dad come home where many did not. Today, I still have a heart for our men and women in combat or seperated from their family because of support services. My prayers are with our brave servicemen.
Stephanie says:
August 13th, 2008 at 11:22 pmWow, it’s hard to see through the tears!!! I remember those days too. My 1st husband was an active duty marine, my dad was a “lifer” in the corps. and current is retired. I thank God that I don’t have to go through that anymore, now I only have to worry (at a distance) about my only nephew who joined the army almost 3 weeks ago.
I want to thank ALL of our service personal for their service, I pray that you will come home safe.
Love and Hugs Cheryl!
Amy G. #1803 says:
August 14th, 2008 at 6:37 amCheryl, you are such a strong woman. After reading your story and watching the video (and crying my eyes out), I began thinking. What those men (and women) go through is heartbreaking. They leave their families and lives behind to protect us, and not know what lies ahead. I fully support our troops, and it breaks my heart when I see people actually protesting them! I salute you and your family, and your husband is truly a hero. I keep praying for their safe return, and I’m so glad your husband came back home to you. Thank you for sharing your story, it’s beautiful.
Groovy Deborah says:
August 14th, 2008 at 9:21 amWell said Cheryl. There are many for and many against this war, but we do have to rally together since we have our family and friends to support who have chosen to fight for our freedoms. God bless them! We could all learn from their sacrifice.
Thanks for bringing this up, with it being so far away many people tend to think that a war is not going on other than when they pay higher fuel, milk and bread prices.
Thanks again for the reminder that we are American and we love our country and to thank someone TODAY.
Deborah
Tami Bayer says:
August 14th, 2008 at 12:02 pmSuch an amazing post, Cheryl. We are attending a welcome home party this week for friend’s son who has just returned from serving 15 months in Iraq. It is so hard on the family and we are all so grateful he is back safely in the states for now.
Dalene says:
August 15th, 2008 at 10:55 pmWell said; I have been very fortunate to not have to experience this first hand but I have had students and friends who have and I think your words clearly express what one feels.
Cherie says:
August 17th, 2008 at 9:36 pmThank you so much for sharing this intimate part of your life - sometimes we need to hear the things that aren’t so happy and wonderful to ground us and make us realize that there are those that have more on their plates than others be it health conditions, emotional or circumstances. The video had me in a down pour of tears and huge pain in my heart for all our troops and their sacrafices as well as their loved ones they had to leave to protect, serve for our freedome so unselfishly. Thank you Cheryl & Rodney.