I hope most of you have heard about the funeral for Air Force Veteran Joseph Walker. I was in the crowd.
My decision was made on Saturday when I saw a headline:
This wasn't the first time I'd read such a story, it always breaks my heart. I'd never been close enough to attend a funeral for a veteran I didn't know. I had no idea how many others would be there until I was almost at the cemetery.
I know it’s only September, well almost October. The holidays both Jewish and regular are all around me. The only issue is that my husband is once again in a distant land serving our country. Would I change this?
NO! I love David, I love everything, well almost everything about him. His putting service to our country ahead of himself is part of what I love about him. I know some of you just don’t believe me, but there’s something very special about the men and women who wear the uniform. No, I won’t bore you with everything that makes them so special, but let’s just say they are usually some of the best people you will ever meet.
So what’s a person alone on all of the upcoming holidays to do?Continue reading
If you are annoyed by the increase security measures at your local 4th of July festivities please be patient. For those of you born after 9-11-2001 imagine 3,000 people going to work or getting on a routine flight and never coming home. It was painful, even those who didn’t lose a friend or loved one, the nation was in pain. For those who were around, have you forgotten the pain those attacks caused? I haven’t.
I may not have forgotten because I’m an Army wife and I know many who have and are still deployed in order to protect the freedom we celebrate on this day. I may not have forgotten because I lost a friend that day, I may not have forgotten because I’m a news junkie, but no matter why I have not forgotten I urge each of you to take a deep breath as law enforcement does their job.
They are only there to keep you safe, they are the same people who will be the first responders in the event of an attack. If you don’t believe me look back at 9-11. The police and fire departments were first on the scene, long before the FBI or any other federal agency. The NYFD lost a staggering 343 firefighters and paramedics. NYPD lost 23 officers and the Port Authority lost 37 officers. No one who has to respond to such an attack wants to lose one of their own. So please be patient.
I also want to reiterate what all of the experts are saying: IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING. The police would rather check out a false alarm than have a bomb explode, trust me. I reported a suspicious vehicle near the military base I live on. It took me 30 seconds, the vehicle was parked near one of the main entrances to the base in an odd spot, I noticed it on my way in. I simply said something to the guard at the gate. They were happy I mentioned it.
Darryl Worley said it best in his music video shortly after the attacks. Here’s the link take a few minutes to check it out. Yes, I realize it’s “outdated” because it names Bin Laden not ISIS or Dash but the message is still valid.
So take 4 minutes and watch it, especially if you weren’t around when the attacks happened.
Darryl Worley Have You Forgotten
I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th of July. Just keep your eyes open and party on.
I live in a place where kids still play outside and neighbors still talk to each other. I can ask any random neighbor for a favor and have no worries. I have to be careful when I’m driving home to make sure I don’t run into a child on a bike. From what I hear this is not what the average person in America experiences in this day and age.
I live on a US Army base, in fact it’s a mega base (aka a huge base). It’s a small city, we have two grocery stores (commissaries) and two stores for general merchandise (PX) and seven convenience stores (Shoppettes). There are a number of schools on base and a hospital, I really don’t have to leave base if I don’t feel like it. We even have a a post office, library and bowling ally. There are places to eat, and play right here.
I think the reason we all respect each other, for the most part is that everyone on base understands what its like when a loved one is deployed, hurt or just can’t talk about work. I hear the planes from the flight line and the guns from the ranges. To me these sounds are normal and are the sounds of freedom. The noise may occasionally drown out the television but it’s worth it. I feel very safe on base, to the point i have fallen asleep (unintentionally) with my doors unlocked and when I awoke everything was just fine. My neighbors know and look out for my cats. The grocery store even takes your groceries out the your car for you, try finding that service in most places these days. I am truly blessed to enjoy such an environment.
I wish there were more places like this left in this country, I find it very sad that more people don’t have the same experiences I do. Yes, I move every few years but the military is like a family. Know we don’t all know each other but, when one of us needs help we all chip in.
I think America would be a much better place if there were more places like this and more people could experience what I have by being an Army wife. I’m issuing a challenge to each and every person out there to try the following:
Just try it you never know what you’ll start.
