BJ's blog: "Patriotic or Military related..."

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 is 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 father and mother, be a perfect hostess for 4 or 40 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 or has the flu, and she must be willing to move to a new location 10 times in 17 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, we will make other Military Wives to help her. And we will give her an unusually strong heart so it can swell with pride in her husband's achievements, sustain the pain of separation, beat soundly when it is over-worked and tired, and be large enough to say, 'I understand,' when she doesn't and say, 'I Love You,' regardless." 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 went 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 replied, "It is for joy, sadness, pain, disappointment, loneliness, pride and dedication to all the values that she and her husband hold dear." "Lord," exclaimed the angel, "You are a genius!" — Author Unknown October 14, 2002

1. "Aren't you afraid that he'll be killed?" (This one ranks in at number one on my "duh" list. Of course we're afraid. We're terrified. The thought always lingers at the backs of our minds ---but thanks, you just brought it back to the front. Maybe next you can go ask someone with cancer if they're scared of dying.) 2. "I don't know how you manage. I don't think I could do it." (Though this is really annoying, I feel bad about mentioning it because I know that it is intended to be a compliment. Still, it's not like all of us military wives have been dreaming since childhood of the day we'd get to be anxious single moms who carry cell phones with us to the bathroom. We're not made of some mysterious matter that makes us more capable, we just got asked/told to take on a challenging job and we rose to the challenge.) 3. "At least he's not in Iraq." (This is the number one most annoying comment for my friends whose husbands are in Afghanistan. As one friend put it, "What do they think is happening in Afghanistan? A huge game of golf? Guys are fighting and dying over there, too." 4. "Do you think he'll get to come home for Christmas/anniversary/birthday/birth of a child/wedding/family reunion, etc?" (Don't you watch the news? No. They don't get to come home for any of these things. Please don't ask again.) 5. "What are you going to do to keep yourself busy while he's gone?" (Short answer: Try to keep my sanity. Maybe there's a military wife out there who gets bored when her husband leaves, but I have yet to meet her. For the rest of us, those with and without children, we find ourselves having to be two people. That keeps us plenty busy. We do get lonely, but we don't get bored.) 6. "How much longer does he have until he can get out?" (This one is annoying to many of us whether our husbands are deployed or not. Many of our husbands aren't counting down the days until they "can" get out. Many of them keep signing back up again and again because (gasp!) they love what they do. 7. "This deployment shouldn't be so bad, now that you're used to it." (Sure, we do learn coping skills. And we figure out ways to make life go smoother while the guys are gone. But it never gets easy and the bullets and bombs don't skip over our guys just because they've been there before. The worry never goes away.) 8. "My husband had to go to Europe for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you're going through." (This one is similar to number two. Do not equate your husband's three week trip to London/Omaha/Tokyo/etc. with a one-year deployment to a war zone. Aside from the obvious trip length difference, nobody shot at your husband or tried to blow him up with an I.E.D., your husband could call home pretty much any time he wanted to, he flew comfortably on a commercial plane, slept between crisp white sheets and ate well, paying for everything with an expense account. There is no comparison. We do not feel bonded to you in the slightest because of this comment and, if anything, we probably resent you a bit for comparing a combat deployment to a business trip. 9. "Don't you miss him?" (Like number one, this one gets a big "duh" from me. Of course we miss our husbands. If we didn't, we'd get divorced.) 10. "Where is that?" (I don't expect non-military folks to be able to find Anbar Province on a map, but they should know by now that it's in Iraq. Likewise, know that Kabul and Kandahar are in Afghanistan. Know that Muqtada al Sadr is the insurgent leader of the Mahdi Army in Iraq and that Sadr City is his home area. Know that Iran is a major threat to our country and that it is located between Afghanistan and Iraq. Our country has been at war in Afghanistan for six and a half years and at war in Iraq for four years. These basic facts are not secrets, they're on the news every night and in the papers every day ---and on maps everywhere. You've had time to learn it. Do your part by at least knowing what is going on.)

This goes out to all you miltary Wives! These are sooooo true! God Bless You All! . . . your kids point to any airplane or military vehicle and say "Daddy"! . . . you remember where your kids were born by duty stations. . . . you refer to friends by where they live (ex: Cindy from TX, Ann in CA, etc.) . . . you have a whole wash load of black t-shirts and socks and another just of camouflage. . . . you can sleep through the sound of fighter planes and bombers on their morning practice. . . . you can tell what is wrong with flight suits or BDU's before the service member does. . . . you know more about re-enlistments and assignments than the personnel office does. . . . you reach for your ID card upon entering a civilian store. . . . you pay $35 to have a baby. . . . your kids point at anyone regardless of race or gender in BDUs and say 'DADDY!' . . . your kids walk around naked with huge combat boots on. . . . your son looks at an MP and says 'That's a Military Policeman!' . . . you feel naked and less-well-protected when you leave the base. . . . people say, 'I don't know how you stand that military lifestyle' and your response is 'I couldn't imagine my life any other way!' . . . you can hold down the fort while your spouse is deployed or in the field, not because you want to but because you just have to do it. . . . you somehow manage to pick a group of friends that are more like your extended family than your own. . . . you realize you're a much stronger person than you ever thought you'd be. . . . your kids are asking 'Where's Daddy?' because they haven't seen daddy in days, months, or a year. . . . you sometimes wonder if the family sacrifice is worth it but realize you wouldn't have it any other way since your husband loves what he does and you're proud of him. . . . you find that you talk military talk (using acronyms) with your family and friends back home and they think you're speaking a foreign language. . . . hearing "I'm proud to be an American" makes you cry because you realize first hand, that freedom is not free and the sacrifices it entails. . . . you're living in parts of the world that you dreamed about visiting and never imagined you'd see, or those you never dreamed of visiting and didn't want to imagine seeing. . . . you become an expert at PCS moves. . . . you can handle anything! . . . your kitchen is full of Pampered Chef, Tupperware, PartyLite candles, etc. that you buy because that's the only way you see other wives when the hubby's away. . . . you dread going to the commissary on payday weekend. . . . you know exactly when you're supposed to be up for new orders. . . . every time something dealing w/the military (i.e. the war in Afghanistan) shows up on the news, your Mother and Mother-in-law call you and you have to gently calm them down. . . . military homecomings on TV bring a tear to your eye because you can relate so well. . . . you plan your garage sales for the payday weekends. . . . you have more curtains than JC Penney's (you never know how many windows the next house will have or what size they will be.) . . . you know that 'dependent' means anything but. AND a personal favorite... . . . you can tell how many times you have PCS'd by the little colored tags on the back of all of your furniture!!

***this was taken from a friend of mine's 360 page i know lot of you dont care how long the soldiers are in iraq and whats another three months...hopefully this will shed light on what the soldiers and their spouses go throught*** Something happened today that will affect my family, every person I see daily, and over 200,000 others. If you were watching the news channels about three hours after the stories were posted online around 8pm EDT, you would think we were all affected by Don Imus or even Sanjaya on American Idol. But you would be wrong. The defense secretary announced today that the deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan were extended from 12 to 15 months. Maybe we missed it (we do live in Hawaii) but I doubt it. How in the world is it more important that one man made some sexist and racist remark about a basketball team and got fired? How is it more important that Sanjaya is still on American Idol? The fact is, it’s not more important, especially to the three proud Army wives sitting in my living room right now or to the countless others affected by this. Some people will say “It’s just three more months” and yes it is just three more months but put it into perspective. My husband will deploy at the end of this year, all we know is he won’t be here for Christmas. This means he won’t be here next Christmas either. In fact, the next time he will be home for Christmas our son (who is now four) will be seven years old. Fathers who missed the birth of their children could now also miss their child’s first birthday as well, like my friend Jason who is currently deployed. I love that the plan says that the troops are guaranteed a year at home between deployments, as if it’s a favor to us. This doesn’t take away from the fact that they will be in Iraq or Afghanistan for longer than they are home. I’m sure it also doesn’t take into account that while they are home they are out in the field training for weeks or months at a time. Soldiers I know who are preparing to deploy later this year are spending at least one week in the field per month and will be going for desert training for two additional months. One week per month adds up to 12 weeks a year or three months, add in that additional two months and that’s five months of training. So, in the period of one year we will actually get to see our husbands a total of seven months. That doesn’t even take into account going to work every day, or the 24 hour shifts they pull for other duties. I’m also happy they were so generous to pay everyone an additional $1000 per month for the extra time they’ll be deployed. If you calculate that out, it averages $1.38 per hour. If you worked at a job paying $6.15 an hour, you would make an extra $3.08 per hour for overtime. So someone who flips burgers or mops floors is paid more for time and a half than our troops who will be serving their country for an extra three months. Just imagine if someone paid you $3000 to miss three months of your child’s life, their first birthday, their high school graduation, your brother or sister’s wedding, your 5th or 25th wedding anniversary would it be worth it? Hardly. In writing this I’m not looking for sympathy or words of encouragement. I want others to realize this is so important to so many people and affects so many lives and it is not okay. I'm not a protester or anti-war activist. I am a wife who is proud of her husband and what he does for his country. I am a wife who wants her husband home as much as possible to see his children grow up. I am a wife who thinks my husband and all the other soldiers have done their jobs and done it well and now it's time for them to come home.

Forgive me today if I don't post a picture of the twin towers... I was going to, and to write a little something in regards to what happened... but I can't.... while I still feel for the families, and I still mourn the events of that day, I still remember just where I was and how I felt I have a difficult time still focusing on that. Not when I have friends calling me or emailing me, or IM me telling me to call thier wife or gf because they got hitby an IED and can't get through or just to talk about what happened because it's so heavey on their minds and no one else will listen because they're too scared, or it will make them worry too much.... my tribute today will be one to a few of the soldiers lost and wounded the other day.... and to all the ones still fighting... God Bless you, you are constantly in my prayers. God Bless their families who are affected everyday that they are gone, and everyday that they won't come home. You may not agree with the war, you may not agree with the politics, but how can you be so cold hearted as to not appreciate what these people do and what their families go through. All that wear the uniform already have a piece of my heart as do their families. Peace be with you all while you rest your weary heads,, THis video was made for the memorial a few days ago of three soldiers who were killed when their truck hit an IED and two soldiers that were wounded as well... one of my best friends made it quickly and sent it to me... just the guys being goofy and having fun.... the way they'd want to be remembered... if you want to know their names I'll tell you... but I'm not posting them. Please remember....

THE FINAL INSPECTION The Marine stood and faced God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining, Just as brightly as his brass. "Step forward now, Marine, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?" The soldier squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't. Because those of us who carry guns, Can't always be a saint. I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was tough. And sometimes I've been violent, Because the world is awfully rough. But, I never took a penny, That wasn't mine to keep... Though I worked a lot of overtime, When the bills got just too steep. And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God, forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place, Among the people here. They never wanted me around, Except to calm their fears. If you've a place for me here, Lord, It needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't, I'll understand. There was a silence all around the throne, Where the saints had often trod. As the Marine waited quietly, For the judgment of his God. "Step forward now, you Marine, You've borne your burdens well. Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, You've done your time in Hell." It's the Soldier, not the reporter Who has given us the freedom of the press. It's the Soldier, not the poet, Who has given us the freedom of speech. It's the Soldier, not t he politicians That ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. It's the Soldier who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, And whose coffin is draped by the flag. If you care to offer the smallest token of recognition and appreciation for the Military, Please pass this on and pray for our men and women Who have served and are currently serving our country An d pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

Tampons to the rescue in Iraq!! Don't worry, it's a good story, and worth reading. It's even humorous in parts. It's from the mother of a Marine in Iraq. My son told me how wonderful the care packages we had sent them were and wanted me to tell everyone thank you. He said that one guy we'll call Marine X, got a girl care package and everyone was giving him a hard time. My son said, "Marine X got some really nice smelling lotion and everyone really likes it, so every time he goes to sleep they steal it from him." I told my son I was really sorry about the mistake, and if he wanted I would send Mar ine X another package. He told me not to worry about >Marine X because every time I send something to him, Marine X thinks it's for him too. He said when my husband and I sent the last care package, Marine X came over to his cot picked up the box, started fishing through it, and said, "What'd we get this time?" My son said they had the most fun with Marine X's package. He said he wasn't sure who we were sending the pack to, but the panties were size 20, and he said one of the guys got on top of the Humvee and jumped off with the panties over his head and yelled, "Look at me, I'm an Airborne Ranger!!!!" One of the guys attached the panties to an antenna and it blew in the wind like a windsock. He said it entertained them for quite awhile. Then of course.......they had those tampons. When he brought this up, my imagination just went running, but he continued. My son said they had to go on a mission and Marine X wanted the Chap-Stick andlotion for the trip. He grabbed a bunch of the items from his care package and got in the Humvee. As luck would have it he grabbed the tampons too, and my son said everyone was teasing him about "not forgetting his feminine hygiene products." He said things went well for a while, then the convoy was ambushed and a Marine was shot. He said the wound was pretty clean, but it was deep. He said they were administering first aid but didn't get the bleeding to slow down, and someone said, "Hey! Use Marine X's tampons!" My son said they put the tampon in the wound. At this point my son profoundly told me, "Mom, did you know that tampons expand?" ("Well....yeah!") They successfully slowed the bleeding until the guy got better medical attention. When they went to check on him later The surgeon told them, "You guys saved his life. If you hadn't stopped that bleeding he would have bled to death." My Son said, "Mom, the tampons sent by the Marine Moms by mistake saved a Marine's life." At this point I asked him, "Well, what did you do with the rest of the tampons?" He said, "Oh, we divided them up and we all have them in our flak jackets, and I kept two for our first aid kit."

The Cost of a Soldier ..> ..> A True Soldier is tough indeed standing tall and strong when there is a need A Soldier also feels sadness, pain, and sorrow Sometimes not looking forward to the trials of tomorrow When a Soldier is wounded in battle the nerves of his buddies it does rattle When news reaches friends and family at home how their worries and minds begin to roam A wounded Soldier feels inadequate at best stopping him from much needed healing rest A wounded Soldiers wonders will he ever be alright, trusting in God that he'll make it through the night. When a Soldier is wounded far beyond repair the loss and pain felt can not compare The Cost of a Soldier is set so very high they assure our freedom will always apply To stand beside a Soldier and walk through his pain will humble a civilian, no longer to complain Love, patience, trust and hope is what a Soldier needs to get them through some very treacherous deeds Dear Lord please watch over our Military today as they work to keep our freedom everyday For the wounded and the families of Soldiers lost Please Bless them with abundant love, for we know not the cost. The Cost of a Soldier is set so very high our support for them we should never deny

The Cost of a Soldier ..> ..> A True Soldier is tough indeed standing tall and strong when there is a need A Soldier also feels sadness, pain, and sorrow Sometimes not looking forward to the trials of tomorrow When a Soldier is wounded in battle the nerves of his buddies it does rattle When news reaches friends and family at home how their worries and minds begin to roam A wounded Soldier feels inadequate at best stopping him from much needed healing rest A wounded Soldiers wonders will he ever be alright, trusting in God that he'll make it through the night. When a Soldier is wounded far beyond repair the loss and pain felt can not compare The Cost of a Soldier is set so very high they assure our freedom will always apply To stand beside a Soldier and walk through his pain will humble a civilian, no longer to complain Love, patience, trust and hope is what a Soldier needs to get them through some very treacherous deeds Dear Lord please watch over our Military today as they work to keep our freedom everyday For the wounded and the families of Soldiers lost Please Bless them with abundant love, for we know not the cost. The Cost of a Soldier is set so very high our support for them we should never deny

Last week I was in Atlanta, Georgia attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest act's of patriotism I have ever seen. Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's, and, as they began heading to their gate, everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families. Of course, I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal. Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women, a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said "hi". The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her. The young soldier, who didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek. The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the yo ung soldier began to tear up. When this temporarily single mom finished explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it. After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you." He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying "your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon." The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event as it unfolded. As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, I saw very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier, in one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek. We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be an American.