Have a Happy & Safe holiday weekend everyone!
http://www.bornagainamerican.org/
http://www.bornagainamerican.org/
Amen... As a Retiree and Disabled Vet we need to rememer those who gave all for us...and pray for those who are fighting the battle still... Once A GI ALWAYS A GI
The Old Man...
As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of
his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open.
The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty five feet away.
I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm, walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too, and took a few steps towards him. I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something.
The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade and then turn back to the old man and I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying, 'You shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age.' And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.
I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine. He then went to his wife and spoke with her and appeared to tell her it would be okay. I had seen enough and I approached the old man. He saw me coming and stood straight and as I got near him I said, 'Looks like you're having a problem.'
He smiled sheepishly and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me. Looking around I saw a gas station up the road and told the old man that I would be right back. I drove to the station and went inside and saw three attendants working on cars.. I approached one of them and related the problem the old man had with his car and offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him.
The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us, he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine) I spoke with the old gentleman.
When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a
Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, 'What outfit did you serve with?'
He had mentioned that he served with the first Marine Division at Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal . He had hit all the big ones and retired from the Corps after the war was over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood.. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me and I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card.
He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it and I stuck it in my pocket... We all
shook hands all around again and I said my goodbye's to his wife. I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station. Once at the station I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me.
One of them pulled out a card from his pocket looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then, that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.
For some reason I had gone about two blocks when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time. The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name........ 'Congressional Medal of Honor Society.'
I sat there motionless looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together, because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage and an honor to have been in his presence. Remember, OLD men like him gave you FREEDOM for America . Thanks to those who served...& those who supported them.
America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the Mall. If you don't stand behind our troops, PLEASE feel free to stand in front of them!
Remember, Freedom isn't "Free" -- thousands have paid the price so you can enjoy what you have today.
As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of
his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open.
The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty five feet away.
I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm, walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too, and took a few steps towards him. I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something.
The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade and then turn back to the old man and I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying, 'You shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age.' And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.
I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine. He then went to his wife and spoke with her and appeared to tell her it would be okay. I had seen enough and I approached the old man. He saw me coming and stood straight and as I got near him I said, 'Looks like you're having a problem.'
He smiled sheepishly and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me. Looking around I saw a gas station up the road and told the old man that I would be right back. I drove to the station and went inside and saw three attendants working on cars.. I approached one of them and related the problem the old man had with his car and offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him.
The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us, he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine) I spoke with the old gentleman.
When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a
Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, 'What outfit did you serve with?'
He had mentioned that he served with the first Marine Division at Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal . He had hit all the big ones and retired from the Corps after the war was over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood.. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me and I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card.
He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it and I stuck it in my pocket... We all
shook hands all around again and I said my goodbye's to his wife. I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station. Once at the station I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me.
One of them pulled out a card from his pocket looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then, that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.
For some reason I had gone about two blocks when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time. The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name........ 'Congressional Medal of Honor Society.'
I sat there motionless looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together, because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage and an honor to have been in his presence. Remember, OLD men like him gave you FREEDOM for America . Thanks to those who served...& those who supported them.
America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the Mall. If you don't stand behind our troops, PLEASE feel free to stand in front of them!
Remember, Freedom isn't "Free" -- thousands have paid the price so you can enjoy what you have today.
Thank you
After serving 20 yrs in the military, I love to see these kinds of stories. I wish everyone a great weekend and hope that those that are currently serving in a conflict a speedy and safe return home. We want you all back. Thanks to those who currently serve and are over sea defending the freedoms that we all enjoy.
WICKEDWANDA:
As an American, I agree with you that we need to honor both our veterans and active duty military personel.
As a veteran - I'd like to thank you for starting this thread.
God bless our Heroes.
As an American, I agree with you that we need to honor both our veterans and active duty military personel.
As a veteran - I'd like to thank you for starting this thread.
God bless our Heroes.
thank you for that story . with a tear in My eye and a full heart my graditude goes out to the Men and Women that have served and are serving for me I SALUTE YOU !!!! Thank you God Blesss America
Thanks to vets out there.
The Impossible Thank You. To the fallen.
All those who gave the ultimate sacrifice will never hear the thanks we give. A name on a wall in DC, a monument, A speach, and the laying of the reth at a tomb of the unknown. Or even a holiday in their name can't thank them enough. Not just for one weekend but every day think of them, who have given their lives for you. Every day think of those still in harms way. Visit those in VA facilities all across our nation. If you dont have a relative in a national cemetary go to one and listen to what they hear, the sounds of the wind and the birds, the snow falling on their graves. Place some flowers on a random grave. Place a flag on a random grave. Remember them and give of your self for them. The BBQ is nice, the parades are nice, but while you are enjoying these events, listen for their calls for God to save them, their cries for their mothers as they lay bleeding in some God forsaken place. The nerves laughter as they go into battle. No matter how tough you may think they were, remember they were our children placed into an unimaginable situation, with death tugging on their elbow every time they turned a corner or at every door they entered.
With 2 sons in harms way I sit and wonder aloud some times I wish they were home, but I know they are truly my heroes, and it brings me calm knowing they do this not just for me but for all of you. And this I can accept.
Please have a safe and happy Memorial day weekend.
Peace Freeride.
The Impossible Thank You. To the fallen.
All those who gave the ultimate sacrifice will never hear the thanks we give. A name on a wall in DC, a monument, A speach, and the laying of the reth at a tomb of the unknown. Or even a holiday in their name can't thank them enough. Not just for one weekend but every day think of them, who have given their lives for you. Every day think of those still in harms way. Visit those in VA facilities all across our nation. If you dont have a relative in a national cemetary go to one and listen to what they hear, the sounds of the wind and the birds, the snow falling on their graves. Place some flowers on a random grave. Place a flag on a random grave. Remember them and give of your self for them. The BBQ is nice, the parades are nice, but while you are enjoying these events, listen for their calls for God to save them, their cries for their mothers as they lay bleeding in some God forsaken place. The nerves laughter as they go into battle. No matter how tough you may think they were, remember they were our children placed into an unimaginable situation, with death tugging on their elbow every time they turned a corner or at every door they entered.
With 2 sons in harms way I sit and wonder aloud some times I wish they were home, but I know they are truly my heroes, and it brings me calm knowing they do this not just for me but for all of you. And this I can accept.
Please have a safe and happy Memorial day weekend.
Peace Freeride.
.