Cassie's blog: "Cassie's Blog"

Dear Sergeant, An Iraqi brought a gun to kill He told his friends that it was cool, And when he pulled the trigger back, It shot with a great crack. Sergeant, I was a good soldier, I did What I was told, I went to school, I got straight A's, I even got promoted fast But Sergeant, when I went on patrol today, I never said See u later, I'm sorry Sergeant, I had to go, But Sergeant, please don't cry. When the Iraqi shot the gun, He hit me and another, And all because the Iraqi Got the gun from his leader. Sergeant, please tell my parents; That I love them very much, And please tell my lady ; my girlfriend; That it wasn't just a crush. And tell my twin brother; That he is the only one now, And tell my dear sweet grandmother; I'll be waiting for her now, And tell my boys; That they always were the best; Sergeant, I'm not the first, I'm no better than the rest. Sergeant, tell my mom; I won't show up for leave And never to forget this, And please don't let this pass. Sergeant, why'd it have to be me? No one deserves this, Sergeant, warn the others, Sergeant I left without my cross And Sergeant tell the medics; I know they really did try, I think I even saw a medic Trying not to cry. Sergeant, I'm slowly dying, With a bullet in my chest, But Sergeant please remember, I'm in heaven with the best, I died like the rest Sergeant I ran as fast as I could, When I heard that crack, Sergeant, listen to me if you would, I wanted to go to college, I wanted to try things that were new, I guess I'm not going with my boys to Brazil, I wanted to get married, I wanted to have a kid, I wanted to be an dad, Sergeant I wanted to live. But Sergeant I must go now, The time is getting late, Sergeant, tell my lady, I'm sorry but I had to cancel the date. I respect you all, I always have, I know; you know it's true, And Sergeant all I wanted to say is " DUTY FIRST " No mission to difficult, no sacrifice to great There are only 2 forces that have every been willing to give there life for you an American Soldier and Jesus. Jesus save's your soul and the American soldier gives you freedom. ****In Memory of All the Fallen Soldiers in Iraq **** Please if you would, Pass this around, I'd be happy if you could, Don't smash this on the ground. If you pass this on, Maybe people will cry, Just keep this in your heart, For the people who didn't get to say "Good-bye".

Soldiers come in all shapes, shades, weights, sizes, and states of sobriety, misery, and confusion. He is sly as a fox, has the nerve of a dope addict, the stories of an old sailor, the sincerity of a politician, and the subtly of Mt. Saint Helen. He is extremely irresistible, totally irrational and completely indestructible. A solider is a solider all his life. He is a magical creature. You can kick him out of your house but not out of your heart. You can take him off your mailing list but not off your mind. Solider are found everywhere... in love...in battle... in lust... in trouble...in debt...in bars and ... behind them. No one can write so seldom and yet think so much of you. No one else can get so much enjoyment out of a letter or clean clothes or a six pack. A solider is a genius with a deck of cards. A millionaire without a cent and brave without a grain of sense. He is the PROTECTOR OF AMERICA, with the latest copy of playboy in his back pocket. When he wants something it's usually 30 days leave, music that hurts the ears, a five dollar bill...or a woman he can count on. Girls love them, mothers tolerate them, fathers brag about them, the government pays them, the police watch out for them and somehow they all work together. You can beat their bodies but not their minds. You can tame their hearts but not their souls. He likes girls, females, women, ladies, and the opposite sex. He dislikes small checks, working weekends, answering letters, eating chow, waking up, maintaining a uniform, and the day before payday. You may as well give in. He is your long distance lover...he is your steel eyed, warm smiling, blank minded, hyperactive, over reacting, curious, passive, talented spontaneous, physically fit, good for nothing bundle of worry..... And will always be there for you regardless of how long its been since you've last talked.

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather re-wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either. He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm howitzer. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclatur of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low. He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime. He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed. He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful. Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years. He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood. And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so. As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot.. A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets Prayer wheel for our military... please don't break it. Please send this on after a short prayer. Prayer Wheel "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. Amen."

The military wife has so much to bear, She's everything at once, no one could compare, When God made her, he had perfection in mind, For nowhere on Earth is another of her kind, She leads a life not many choose to, For her job is the hardest in the military to do, She is couragerous and strong, one would say made of steel, But way deep down is a heart that can feel, She stands by her husband, so proud and so tall, And waits many night by the phone for a call, She's Mommy and Daddy all rolled into one, She'll never rest easy until her job's done, She sits all alone and in silence she weeps, Did I do a good job, is my family okay? But deep in her heart she knows that it's true, God is right beside her helping her through...

THIS IS TO ALL THE PROUD MILITARY WIVES OUT THERE! I would like to recognize these often underestimated, unseen, and unheard heroes. This is for the young women that are waking up at 6 a.m. every morning, laying out clothes and packing three lunches for those small precious children that they have been left alone to care for. This is for the pregnant Military wife wondering if her husband will make it home in time to watch their miracle happen. This is for the childless Military wife, living in a town or on a base alone where she is a complete stranger to her surroundings. This is for the women that feel like a third leg when they go out with their friends and their husbands. This is for the Military wife that canceled all her plans to wait by the phone, and even though the phone broke up and cut off every time you spoke to him you waited anyway. This is a pledge to the women that cry themselves to sleep in an empty bed. This is to recognize the woman that felt like she was dying inside when he said he had to go, but smiled for him anyway. This is for those of you that are faithfully in that long line at the post office once a month, handling 2 large boxes and 2 small children like a pro. This is for that woman that decided to remodel the house to pass time, and then realized that she had no idea what she was doing and sighed and wished she had a little help. This is for all the lonely nights, all the one-person dinners, and all of the wondering thoughts because you haven't heard from him in days. This is for the sad Military wives, the angry Military wives, and the strong Military wives. A toast to you for falling apart, and putting yourselves back together. Because a pay check isn't enough, a body pillow in your bed is no consolation, and a web cam can never compare. This is for all of you no matter how easy or hard this was for you. Our soldiers/sailors are brave, but so are we. So the next time someone tells you that they would never marry a Military guy, don't bother explaining to them that you can't control who you fall in love with. Just think of this and nod your head, know that you are the stronger woman. Hold your heads up high, hang that flag in your front yard, stick 100 magnets on your car, and then give yourself a pat on the back. Be proud to be the woman that you are, be proud to be an Military wife!

The good Lord was creating a model for military wives and was into His sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared. She said, "Lord, you seem to be having a lot of trouble with this one. What's wrong with the standard model?" The Lord replied, "Have you seen the specs on this order. She has to be completely independent, possess the qualities of both a father and mother, be a perfect hostess to four or forty with an hour's notice, run on black coffee, handle every emergency imaginable without a manual, be able to carry on cheerfully, even if she is pregnant and has the flu, and she must be willing to move to a new location ten times in seventeen years. And, oh yes, she must have six pairs of hands!" The angel shook her head, "Six pairs of hands? No way. " The Lord continued,"Don't worry, I will make other military wives to help her. And I will give her an unusually strong heart so it can swell with pride in her husband's achievements, sustain the pain of separations, beat soundly when it is overworked and tired, and be large enough to say, 'I understand' when she doesn't and say 'I love you', regardless." "Lord," said the angel, touching his arm gently. "Go to bed and get some rest.You can finish this tomorrow." "I can't stop now," said the Lord. "I am so close to creating something unique. Already this model heals herself when she is sick, can put up six unexpected guests for the weekend, wave good-bye to her husband from a pier, a runway or a depot, and understand why it's important that he leave." The angel circled the model of the military wife, looked at it closely and sighed, "It looks fine, but it's too soft." "She might look soft," replied the Lord. "But she has the strength of a lion. You would not believe what she can endure." Finally the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Lord's creation. "There's a leak," she announced. "Something is wrong with the construction. I am not surprised that it has cracked. You are trying to put too much into this model." The Lord appeared offended at the angel's lack of onfidence."What you see is not a leak," He said. "It's a tear." "A tear?" What is it there for?" asked the angel. The Lord replied, "It's for joy, sadness, pain, disappointment, loneliness, pride and a dedication to all the values that she and her husband hold dear." "You are a genius!" exclaimed the angel. The Lord looked puzzled and replied, "I didn't put it there."

I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens But I am in the Army in the ranks rarely seen I have no rank upon my shoulders - salutes I do not give But the military world is the place where I live I'm not in the chain of command, orders I do not get But my husband is the one who does, this I can not forget I'm not the one who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line But my job is just as tough. I'm the one that's left behind My husband is a patriot, a brave and prideful man And the call to serve his country not all can understand Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me I love the man I married, Soldiering is his life But I stand among the silent ranks known as the Army Wife

If you're not in love with a soldier, you can't know adventure. You don't know smelly gray PT uniforms that require a daily washing. You can't understand green and brown camouflaged bags flooding your bedroom floor. If you're not in love with a soldier, you can't understand the meaning of the phrase "going to the field" and the weeks you spend away from each other. If you're not in love with a soldier, you can never imagine the hole in your heart when that phone call comes "Honey, I am leaving tomorrow to go overseas. I don't know how long I will be gone or exactly where I am going, but I want you to know that I love you - always!" If you're not in love with a soldier, you don't know what it's like to say that final good-bye. You don't know what it really means to be glued to the television. You don't understand fear and you can't possibly understand the sleepless nights of endless crying wondering if you will ever see the love of your life alive again. If you're not in love with a soldier, you can't know the immense joy, the uncontrollable smile, or the butterflies in your stomach when you see your soldier march into the family waiting area upon redeployment. You can't understand the self-control it takes to stand on the other side of the room as some higher-up gives a seemingly endless welcome home speech while all the soldiers stand in formation. You don't know what it's like to have that second first kiss or what it's like to experience puppy love all over. If you're not in love with a soldier, you can't truly understand how to make every moment count because you never know when that phone call may come again. If you're not in love with a soldier, you can never really understand how very delicate life really is! *Repost this if you are in love with a soldier!

If you know what an LES is and can read it. If you know "going to the commissary" means the same as "going to the grocery store". If you've ever stood way down the dairy section aisle of the commissary waiting to be checked out by a cashier. (This usually happens on paydays.) If you're broke by around the 12th and 27th of every month. If you spend at least one day a week sleeping by yourself. If that one day a week is no big deal to you. If one week or one month away from your spouse is no big deal either. If you spend more time with your neighbors than your spouse or have ever felt "married" to one or more of your friends. If you've ever checked your email multiple times a day in hopes your spouse has written you and know how horrible email being "down" is. If the thought of another deployment makes you cringe. If you've ever stood helpless while your kids cry for Daddy (or Mommy), wishing you could tell them it wouldn't be long but knowing it's not true...and ended up crying with them. If "sleeping with another man" means letting your son sleep with you while Daddy's gone. If you've ever felt a twinge of jealousy seeing a couple enjoy each other's company in public somewhere while your spouse was gone. If, upon hearing of a military member's death, you cry for their spouse and children and want to hold your spouse a little tighter or email them if they aren't with you. If you've had your spouse's picture as the desktop background on your computer so you can feel like they're still with you. If you've ever talked to that picture, smiled at it, cried to it, and in some weird way felt better afterwards. If you've ever made a paper chain that was long enough to circle your entire living room (or more) and removed the links one by one down to the Last when your spouse was finally coming home. If you've ever had to add (or remove) links to that chain because the arrival date changed. If you've ever cried tears of joy at a homecoming...but secretly ached inside knowing the happiness was short-lived and your spouse would be leaving again. If you've ever felt weird, or almost "wrong", sleeping with your spouse after a long separation (who is this stranger?). If you know most of your spouse's workmates by their last name only. If you have a power of attorney, USE it, and freak out when it expires. If you know that not everyone accepts a power of attorney, despite the fact it gives you permission to practically BE your spouse. If you've ever argued that fact with someone in person or over the phone and gotten nowhere. If you've ever informed your spouse of your baby's arrival by sending an American Red Cross. If you've spent almost all the holidays in any given year without your spouse. If you've ever avoided touching your spouse until they thoroughly showered off the mace-like product they had sprayed on them during training. If you accidentally got some on your hand anyway, didn't know it, and rubbed it in your eyes. (OUCH!) If you know what "leave" is and have looked forward to being able to use it. If you've ever reassured your spouse while they worried over making rank...telling them everything would be fine either way. If you've ever celebrated when they made it...but knew you'd have to wait months before seeing the pay raise. If you have perfected the military cut, even though you have had no previous hair cutting experience.