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Thank you

I read the story about the veteran returning home to no thanks. I've read numerous others with happier endings. I'm sure despite the current trend of applause, there are some who arrive to empty airports, to empty bus stations, to empty houses or apartments.
Know that even in your solitude, there are people who pray for you, who cheer you on from a distance, and who feel a surge of pride each time they see a flag flown.
I'm one of those people.

To all who are serving, or who have served, no matter what your service entailed, or which era:

From the bottom of my heart, Thank You. Men and women like yourselves who sacrifice what we all take for granted are the reason this country is so amazing. I could never do what you do. I couldn't leave somewhere, or someone I love without knowing if I would ever see them again.

And specifically this message goes out to the veteran of Vietnam who was treated so poorly, in his story titled "No respect":

I appreciate you. I thank you, and I hope that time helps you to realize that despite what you went through, there are others who have another opinion: that you're a hero.

RH in NYC
BROOKLYN, NY

One Last Time

My son is in the U.S. Army and stationed over seas. My husband of 29 years was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on April 7th, 2011. When we received the news we immediately contacted Red Cross to bring our boy home. Now getting through red tape with the military was very difficult as they were looking at it as his dad wasn't that close to death and that my son could wait until later to return home. With the help of Red Cross; a few military high ups and by the grace of God my son was able to come home and see his daddy. Because of all the red tape it delayed my son's return home by a week. We were told he was allotted 2 weeks to spend with his dad. April 26th, 2011 at 12:12 my husband passed away. As we pondered that day about it only being 19 short days from the time they diagnosed my husband to his death we bowed our heads and thanked our Lord for his precious gift of One Last Time that my son was given to spend with his daddy. Had we not had to go through all the red tape my son would have been on a plane headed back overseas and would have not been there to see his daddy meet our maker. Our Lord truly moves in mysterious ways and although we may not know at the time his reasons; he always reveals them to us at some point in our lives.
God Bless our Military and may God watch over them ALL!

Melinda Morris
Port Charlotte, FL

No Respect

Things weren't going so well at home so I quit high school and went into the US Army during the Vietnam War. I did not get deployed to Vietnam as I thought I would. Instead I was sent elsewhere for a 16 month overseas tour after doing a stateside tour. I called home to my parents (Mom & Stepfather) to let them know when I would exactly be home so they could pick me up at the airport. I thought to myself how nice it will be to see everyone again after being gone almost a year and a half. I got off the plane and saw my family there. Walked over to them and then the big shocker. Nothing! I didn't get any hugs, kisses, not even a handshake no thanks from them at all. All I got were comments from my mom saying "I don't know why you just didn't stay in any longer. There is nothing here at home for you anymore. You'll have to get a job and pay room & board because I can't afford to feed you." That has haunted me forever. So I moved out shortly after. One day I called home and asked my mom if she had seen my Class A uniforms? She said "Oh I threw them out because I didn't think you would want them anymore". So now I not only have no respect from my own family but not much of anything to show my children as far as what my military time was like. Sadly I can't change the past.
As I see our troops come home today to loving families and friends I envy them and often wonder how nice it must be to come home and be appreciated for serving your country.

Anonymous
Milwaukee, WI

Three Homecomings

It was March, 2005 and we drove through a snowstorm to see my son in law get off of the plane in Minneapolis for his mid deployment leave. We were all at the gate (my daughter, granddaughter, my husband, me, and my son in law's parents) with our signs waiting and waiting. Because of the storm there were many people in the area waiting for delayed and cancelled flights. Finally a plane pulled up to the gate and Cory and another guy came through the gate. As they did, everyone in the crowd began applauding and cheering. It was an awesome moment. Fast forward to Sept. of 06 when a similar group waited at a suburban armory for my oldest son to come home from his deployment. There were signs and flags and finally the buses arrived. And the guy who was always the last one out of the locker room was the first one off of the bus. We didn't know what to do because he had never been first before! Finally his girlfriend broke the spell and began the hugs and greetings. Fast forward again to July of 07 when my youngest son was returning from a 22 month deployment (he was part of the Iraqi surge). It was one of those perfect MN days. The buses were escorted by police officers and Patriot guards. There were tons of people. When the guys were finally released from their formation I wondered how we would ever find him when all of a sudden the crowd parted a little and my husband said "there he is" and I ran to hug my boy! There have been 2 more deployments and other moments, but these have been the sweetest of all so far. I am so proud of each of them.

Loretta Monson
Pine City, MN

Surprise First Meeting

In 2006 my husband was deployed to Iraq, I was 36 weeks pregnant with our first child. He would be gone for 11 months,and would miss the birth. We thought he would not get to meet her until she was nearly a year old. We decided it was best for me to go home to stay with family, and he left for Iraq. She was born the same day he landed in Iraq, he did not even know I had gone into labor. He called to tell me he had gotten promoted, and was surprised to learn I was in the hospital and she had been born. 6 months later we were informed that he would not get any R&R because he would not be deployed long enough to rate it. I was heart broken, he was only short the requirement by one month. So I settled on the fact that our first child would not get to meet her daddy until she was 11 months old. One day, while at my mother's house, my mother in law called to ask what I was doing. I told her that we were just having a quite day at home, she asked if she could come and join us. So I got my daughter and I ready for company. The door bell rang,and as I was walking to the door I saw a blur of cami rush past the window.I immediately knew that it was my husband in uniform. I couldn't believe it. I opened the door and there he was. He had been given permission to take R&R and decided to surprise us. I was speechless, and he was worried that he was too dirty to hold our daughter for the first time. It was the best surprise of my life!

Bonne
Quantico, VA

Passing in the Night

Twenty years ago my son and his wife who were both in the Navy and stationed on different ships homeported at different locations. He was deploying on a Med cruise and his wife was returning from a Med cruise. It was determined their ships were going to pass each other in close proximity, and since they were newly weds, their CO's decided to get them together to say good-bye. It worked perfectly. They got to spend a few minutes together and then they were off on their way again.

Anonymous
Spokane, WA

Welcome home daddy!

It was may 1990. we just got married. In Aug. My husband found out he had to go over seas. I got a call form him a few weeks later to tell me he was fine, but could not tell me where he was. I had to tell him over the phone that i was 6 weeks along, and that i hope he made it before i was due. I would get letters, he would get care pakages. It was May 1991, i was due any day, I got the call that he was coming home. I meet his parents 9 months pregnat, for the first thime and we were on our way tro the airport to pick up the E-4 that i married just 1 year earlyer fat and happy. He was going to see his first child born it was close though, he came just 2 days later. The wolrd is in between us and we were only married a few months, but my husband ment the wolrd to me then and still does to this day. Even though there was noone else to greet our troops back home back in 1990 after Desert Storm, all the men and women there are very much loved and cared for today!!! Thanks to all of our soldiers,from years gone by to the future ones, we live in a free country today, and hopefully for many years to come!!!

michelle
waupun, WI

8 years of being an Army Wife

My husband and I were married on January 2, 2003. He was deployed to Kuwait on January 5, 2003 for a 14 month deployment. He returned home in February of 2004. In June of 2004 he took the position of Provost Marshall at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg. He was on active duty there for 26 months. His next current deployment began August of 2010 to Afghanistan. We have missed many anniversaries, birthdays, Christmases, and so many other things. I am so very proud of my husband, MAJ Rob Watras. We have spent more than 1/2 of our married life together while Rob was serving for what he believes in. At times it is hard to be an Army Wife but I would not change it for anything. It is a challenge at times but if my husband can give up the comforts of being at home and enjoying the freedom we all take for granted, I certainly can sacrifice nights alone knowing all in the end we will have accomplished something and if we didn't we can at least say we gave it our best shot! I am a Proud Army Wife and my husband is my hero!

Sam Watras
Jackson, MS

Infantryman returns to Iraq for closure during Operation Proper

Written by Spc. Paul Holston, USF-I Public Affairs
Thursday, June 30, 2011 08:49
BAGHDAD -- Retired Pvt. Joshua Joseph, a former infantryman with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team and native of Indianapolis, Ind., sustained injuries while on mission Nov. 19, 2005, during his tour in Mosul, Iraq.

Hoping to make peace with his past memories, Joseph decided to participate in Operation Proper Exit, which provides the opportunity for former service members to return to the battlefield to find the closure they seek in order to help with their healing process.

Joseph received the Silver Star during his actions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III, saving the lives of his fellow Soldiers who were severely wounded.

"Like any person who's been through hard times or something tragic, you have your good days and your bad days," Joseph said. "In my head, I thought this would be a good way to see how things are now here in Iraq. It gives you a chance to come back and get the chance to leave on your own terms. I didn't get a chance to do that last time."

It has been about five months since Joseph has seen his fiancÃ©e, Sgt. Felicya L. Adams, a public affairs sergeant for the 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

Adams had the opportunity to reunite with Joseph June 26, after finding out that he would be one of eight wounded warriors heading to Iraq as part of Operation Proper Exit X.

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submitted by Mike james
fountaintown, IN

Celebrating Independence Day

My home town of Jaffrey, New Hampshire gets together on the 4th of July at the Meeting House in Jaffrey Center and read out loud the entire Declaration of Independence. Many people volunteer to read and may read a sentence or more so that everyone who wishes can be a part of the reading. Every year, the audience is bigger! This celbration is followed by an Ice Cream social on the lawn of the "Old School House" that is now a museum. It is a wonderful tradition, so inspiring and I wish all towns would adopt such a wonderful tradition.

JoAnn Sawyer
Stamford, TX