Infantrymen have a pride and arrogance [...]]]> I read this on facebook and it hit home. I am in no way playing down the roles of other MOS’s in the military but there is just something special about those who volunteer for Infantry. I have a special place in my heart for my 11bravos… Take Luck Sons.

Infantrymen have a pride and arrogance that most Americans don’t understand and don’t like. Even soldiers who aren’t infantrymen don’t understand. The pride doesn’t exist because we have a job that’s physically impressive. It certainly doesn’t exist because it takes a higher level of intelligence to perform our duties. It’s sad and I hate to admit it, but any college student or high school grad can physically do what we do. It’s not THAT demanding and doesn’t take a physical anomaly. Nobody will ever be able to compare us to professional athletes or fitness models. And it doesn’t take a very high IQ to read off serial numbers, pack bags according to a packing list, or know that incoming bullets have the right of way.

The pride of the infantryman comes not from knowing that he’s doing a job that others can’t, but that he’s doing a job that others simply won’t. Many infantrymen haven’t seen a lot of combat. While that may sound ideal to the civilian or non-infantry soldier, it pains the grunt. We signed up to spit in the face of danger. To walk the line between life and death and live to do it again – or not. To come to terms with our own mortality and let others try to take our life instead of yours. We have raised our hands and said, “Take me, America. I am willing to kill for you. I am willing to sacrifice my limbs for you. I will come back to America scarred and disfigured for you. I will be the first to die for you.”

That’s why the infantryman carries himself with pride and arrogance. He’s aware that America has lost respect for him. To many he’s a bloodthirsty animal. To others he’s too uneducated and stupid to get a regular job or go to college. Only he knows the truth. While there are few in America who claim to have respect for him, the infantryman returns from war with less fanfare than a first down in a high school football game. Yes, people hang up their “Support Our Troops” ribbons and on occasion thank us for our service. But in their eyes the infantryman can detect pity and shame; not respect. Consider this: How excited would you be to meet the average infantryman? Now compare that with how excited you’d be to meet a famous actor or professional sports player and you will find that you, too, are guilty of placing the wrong people on a pedestal. You wouldn’t be able to tell me how many soldiers died in the war last month, but you’d damn sure be able to tell me if one of the actors from Twilight died.

Yet the infantryman doesn’t complain about that. He continues to do his job; to volunteer his life for you, all while being paid less in four years than Tom Brady makes in one game.

It’s a job most Americans don’t understand, don’t envy, and don’t respect. That is why we have pride for the infantry.

Experts say its time. We did a good thing and the Iraqi people will flourish. I hope they are correct. I worry about the [...]]]> The Iraq war is over. I hope for good but I have my lingering fears that my grandchildren may have to return and finish something we have failed to.

Experts say its time. We did a good thing and the Iraqi people will flourish. I hope they are correct. I worry about the “terps” and their families. I hope they face no brutal retaliation for helping free their nation.

I think my one of my fears is that now our Fallen and wounded from Iraq will be forgotten. I saw signs of that when the news shifted to Afghanistan. Iraq? We are still at war there? But then majority of this nation sadly is unaware of what we really did in Iraq and what we are doing in Afghanistan. After all it hasn’t cut into their TV or shopping.

A part of my son will forever be tied to Iraq. And I hope that this withdrawal puts me one step closer to going to the nation he helped free. I someday want to touch the soil he took his last breath on. Feel his spirit in it and to see the light of hope and freedom in the eyes of the people he both hated and cared about. And he did… he hated that they were fighting over control of each other. He hated their violence but yet he met Iraqi people who made him smile and laugh. I could see it in his eyes as he danced with the Iraqi police officers being silly and making the best of a horrible situation. He loved the children. He spoke often of the little kids…

Three Iraqi girls giggle as they watch Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers perform a routine search of their house and surrounding land during a joint patrol in Shula, Iraq, on June 19, 2008. The U.S. Soldiers are part of 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Brigade, 502nd Infantry Regiment. (DVIDSHUB)

I have asked Combat soldiers who served in Iraq their thoughts and got the same mixed reactions I have in my own heart and head. People have asked me how I feel and I can’t honestly answer because I truly don’t know how I feel. Its not like I wanted this war to go on forever but I truly don’t want to fail and just pull out because a date on a “agreement” says we have to. I know we did great things in Iraq. But did we let the roots of freedom take a firm enough hold. I guess in the years to come I will know whether we were done or if we needed to stay a little longer.

April 8, 2003 Jubilant residents of Najaf cheer on soldiers of 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division

To the Iraqi people… I wish for you freedom and joy. I hope you take this gift of a new chance and make it into a happy life for your children and grandchildren. I hope you never allow your faith to be used to enslave and brutalize you again. Live free and knowing that Our Military did come to bring you peace. That they wanted for you want they want for their own families.

To Americans…. Be grateful for the freedoms and opportunities you have. Because if you are not it may be the Iraqis who have to return the favor and come free us from our own ungrateful greed induced oppression.

To All Those who served in Iraq… Thank you. You did a good thing. Be proud.

Pokey, My dear sweet son… The war in Iraq is over. The people there have the seeds of freedom and the tools to make those seeds grow. You and you ‘brothers’ did good son…

On the morning of 9-11-2001 I woke up to “The World Trade Center got hit by a Plane.” I stopped to watch a minute or two of the news then went on to make breakfast and get my kids off to school… shortly after they were gone I laid down with my husband to [...]]]>

On the morning of 9-11-2001 I woke up to “The World Trade Center got hit by a Plane.” I stopped to watch a minute or two of the news then went on to make breakfast and get my kids off to school… shortly after they were gone I laid down with my husband to watch the news coverage. “Was it on purpose or an accident?” The second plane hit as soon as I asked the question. We sat stunned for a minute… “That answers that question.” “We’re at war. This is our generations Pearl Harbor”

My husband had just come home from a 12 hr shift at work so he soon had to sleep. I spent the day watching the coverage…fighting every motherly urge I had to go get my kids and hold them close to me. I would go out and update the ladies who worked in the school cafeteria throughout the day. (we lived across the street from the school back then)

The images the media showed that day will haunt me for the rest of my life. My kids would come home one by one that afternoon. The youngest was home all day with me then but he was too young to comprehend why mom was sitting on the edge of the couch with tears streaming down her face. My daughter came home first… she hugged me and went to play. Only in 2nd grade she understood something bad had happened but she would not feel the impact on her own life that day. David and Micheal came home next. They were pissed and demanded to know “Who did it? Are we gonna kill them back?” Micheal whispered the word that I would later understand was his turning point in life. “Bullies” I think he made up his mind then he would join the military. Over the next few years he would consider other paths but in the end.. he had “Go stop the bullies.”

Every year as we remember 9-11 and those who perished that day, Gold Star families across our nations have similar stories to my own… it was a day that years later would change their lives in a very personal and most painful way.

Our sons and daughters would go off to fight this enemy who attacked us that September morning. And as we remember that day there comes moments when our pain becomes so overwhelming we cannot take part in the memorials and tributes so many present. It’s not that we don’t care.. we just hurt too much.

We mourn for the 2,973 men and women killed in the attacks that day and also for the 6026 men and women who have died to keep another such attack from happening to the US again.

This morning we left bright and early to make the 3 hour drive to Stillwater, OK to pay our respects to Spc. Jordan Morris I will admit this was fear on my part about going. I had not attended a funeral since Micheal’s let alone a Military funeral.

About 45 minutes down the [...]]]>

This morning we left bright and early to make the 3 hour drive to Stillwater, OK to pay our respects to Spc. Jordan Morris I will admit this was fear on my part about going. I had not attended a funeral since Micheal’s let alone a Military funeral.

About 45 minutes down the road a van got into our “blind spot” on the freeway and just seem to stay there for the longest time. When they did pass the gentleman in passenger seat gave us a double thumbs up then a gesture of Thank you as he pointed to the back of our car. We have a Memorial sticker remembering Micheal on my car so I took that gesture of support as a good sign… some people do care and I could do this.

We finally made it to Stillwater and found the High school where the service were to be held and just down the street the PGR staging area. We stopped at the staging area and meet up with a few people who we know and meet some facebook friends for the first time. We then decided it would be best to stand with those who had come out in quiet support rather than attend the actual service. And that is what we did.

Once at the flag line was in place we approached a young Army specialist and asked him to pass on a card of condolence and support to the family which he reassured us he would be honored to do. He recognized the small gold star pin I wore and hugged me. We spoke with him for a few minutes and then we went and stood with the many others in quiet respectful support.

Tonight a family is holding each other close and trying to face tomorrow without the one piece of their heart who was laid to rest today. In the days, weeks, months and yes even years to come I hope Jordan’s family will come to find the support we have. The blessings of Jordan’s Brothers in Arms. And the knowledge that leaning is not weakness but sharing strength. And I hope others will understand that this will not heal for them.. but their journey will be made easier with understanding and not expectations.

I read the facebook status of one of my combat sons last night and knew there would be bad news this morning. I never imagined how bad. He expressed his anger but like the honorable soldier he is never broke opsecs. I read the headline first thing this morning and my heart shattered. [...]]]>

I read the facebook status of one of my combat sons last night and knew there would be bad news this morning. I never imagined how bad. He expressed his anger but like the honorable soldier he is never broke opsecs. I read the headline first thing this morning and my heart shattered. I knew that 31 families would receive that horrible knock this day.

There is a part of me that wants to go to these families..hold their hands and protect them from the pain that no one can protect them from. I know there is no true comfort to be given at this point. But yet I want to try.

I want to know the names and the stories of these men’s lives. Somehow the words Honor, love and hero seems to sums them all up…. There is more to each of them but they all held those qualities. That is just a given.

So as I sat on the porch looking at the moon, “talking” to my own son an imagine came into my head.. My son and the sons and daughters of many of my Gold Star friends shaking the hands of those who lost their lives today.. Welcoming them “Home” on the other side of the veil. And for just one second each of the 31 looked back… and then they join their brothers and sisters. Complete and at peace.

And then I read the interwebs… and my ire is raised. People have forgotten that our military is made up of REAL PEOPLE. We should honor these men and women… they are the most honorable and selfless among us. They are not political props or pawns to be used to bash you political opponent. Their deaths should not be used to create conspiracy theories. These were men.. who loved and laughed and cried and gave all so that we may live free and in safety. Respect them… respect their families. They did not die in vain.. they died for what they believed in, Freedom and liberty.

Take Luck to those who gave all today. I promise to honor you in the only way I know how.. by continuing to support your brothers and sisters in arms and taking care of your families as best I can. Thank you…

Every once in awhile someone will mention something in passing and it will set me off on one of my “missions”.

Recently while talking to one of the most amazing Marine wives I know she mentioned that a recently widowed lady asked that only an “Official DoD photograph” be taken of her husband’s return to [...]]]>

Every once in awhile someone will mention something in passing and it will set me off on one of my “missions”.

Recently while talking to one of the most amazing Marine wives I know she mentioned that a recently widowed lady asked that only an “Official DoD photograph” be taken of her husband’s return to Dover. Well this got me thinking.. Is there an “Official DoD Photograph” of my son’s return? And if so how do I get a copy? Not sure why this became a mission but it did… So I emailed Dover… within hours I received a response.

Ms. Phillips,

I regret to inform you that no images of your son’s return exists.

Department of Defense policy forbade official photography of the Fallen from late 2003 to April 2009.

V/r

I’m disappointed. I knew about media being barred from Dover but I didn’t realize there was no documentation at all of the return of some of our Fallen. I’m disappointed that there is no photo but at the same time a part of me knows that Dover was not for the family.

To me Dover is about our Fallen coming home to their military family. It is the place the military basically says goodbye to them. They care for them one last time before they taken them home to their families.

I found out shortly after Micheal was killed that everyone who works are Dover AFB mortuary service are volunteers. They ASK for the honor of taking care of these men.. of cleaning them and tailor making their uniforms.. of making sure every ribbon is perfect. The comb their hair.. manicure their nails.. cleaning their personal affects and make sure they are honored to the fullest extent of the military. And they ask for this job.

I wish I could personally thank every man and woman who works with Dover AFB Mortuary Team. They are amazing people who do duty that is more important than words can express. They bring a comfort to the families that sometimes even the families do not understand.

I think this mission of mine has served as a reminder that sometimes we should be grateful for people and the job they do.

If you have been reading the news you know there has been a bunch of people up in arms over the director of the Houston Memorial cemetery asking that religion not be invoked by volunteers at funeral services. Seems once again our Fallen are being used as political props.. this time by the Christian Right.. [...]]]>

If you have been reading the news you know there has been a bunch of people up in arms over the director of the Houston Memorial cemetery asking that religion not be invoked by volunteers at funeral services. Seems once again our Fallen are being used as political props.. this time by the Christian Right.. they seem to forget their religious rights end at the tip of their nose. I am sick of people taking over and making our fallen their cloak for gaining attention for themselves or their cause! Funerals are not for YOU.. they are for the FAMILY. By showing up and invoking your beliefs and words and taking over you are behaving no better than Westboro Baptist Church!

People seem to think that the director of the Cemetery banned all religious ceremony… that is not true.. he just told the “volunteers” and “groups” they could not show up and take over… the funerals themselves are whatever the families request. these groups however can’t show up and take over and make it about them or what they want!

It seems many people have forgotten that they not only do not own our fallen, the funerals for these men and women are not for them. The funerals are for the families. For these people to feel they can impose or invoke whatever beliefs they have on others during a time of grief is disrespectful. Not every Fallen soldier is Christian and some families do not want to deal with some good doer invoking their beliefs on them.

My son was an atheist.. the military was very careful to follow our wishes and not invoke religion. I would have been PISSED if some “volunteer” changed the funeral we planned for my son.. How dare these people try to take over these finally good byes and make them what THEY WANT and not what the families want!! The fact that they have pushed themselves into a postion that they had to be told to shut up and go away tells me they have NO RESPECT for the families and have repeatedly overstepped their bounds.

Its time for all these “groups” to step back and remember ITS NOT ABOUT THEM! Yes it is a good thing to show your respect and to honor our military but when you USE them to gain something, be it attention or a political point, you are not honoring them.

To The Zanowick family, You are not alone.. we will be here to help you carry this heavy burden and to remember you dear sweet Paul. He will not be forgotten, nor will you.

Miamisburg, Ohio (WDTN) – Tuesday afternoon, the Zanowick family found a peaceful refuge on the back porch of their Miamisburg home. [...]]]>

To The Zanowick family, You are not alone.. we will be here to help you carry this heavy burden and to remember you dear sweet Paul. He will not be forgotten, nor will you.

Miamisburg, Ohio (WDTN) – Tuesday afternoon, the Zanowick family found a peaceful refuge on the back porch of their Miamisburg home. It was a quiet escape from the emotional events that have unfolded over the last few days.

On Friday, 23 year-old Corporal Paul Zanowick Junior was killed by enemy fire while on patrol in Afghanistan.

“I just want people to remember him for who he was,” said Ryan Zanowick, Zanowick’s wife. “You know not only was he a great Marine, but he was also a great son, brother, husband and father”.

Moved by the tragic of events of 9-11, Paul Zanowick Senior said his son knew early on that he wanted serve his country. Zanowick enlisted in the Marines in January, 2008.

“He had such a sense of wanting to protect us,” said Paul Sr.

“You don’t want this day to happen. That was a huge fear, but i respect what he choose to do and I honor it, but I would gladly have gone instead,” he added.

Cpl. Zanowick made the ultimate sacrifice, but it has not gone un-noticed. American flags now hang in his honor throughout the Zanowick’s Miamisburg neighborhood. A touching tribute that the family says is helping them heal.

“Overwhelming,” said Zanowick Sr. “I just want to thank everybody who has contacted us, tried to contact us, prayed for us. If not for the prayers I’m not sure we could do this”.

Fallen Marine’s family honors his life: wdtn.com

On Feb 24th 2008 two men in Class A Army uniforms knocked on my door.. my son David called me to tell me they were there, I had been [...]]]>

And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier's tomb, and beauty weeps the brave. ~Joseph Drake

On Feb 24th 2008 two men in Class A Army uniforms knocked on my door.. my son David called me to tell me they were there, I had been shopping… so I walked into my living room knowing my oldest son Micheal had been killed while serving in Iraq. And yet those two men still uttered those Ugly words. “We regret to inform you”.. since then many people have told me my son is a hero, and he is. But I often wonder why he had to die for people to see he was a hero. You see to me he became a hero on Sept 24th 2005 when he walked into the US Army recruiting office and signed that check up to and including his life to defend this nation.

Every young man and woman who serves is a hero.. there are many heroes out there who have served. I implore you men and women who have served, You heroes, to share your stories with our young people. Keep the memories of those we have lost alive through those stories. Keep the history you lived alive so maybe future generation won’t make the same mistakes we have. Tell the stories of your sacrifices and heroism so that this nation can truly be grateful for the sacrifices made in defense of all the freedoms this Nation holds for us.

I would like everyone to take a moment to look upon the flag and all it represents.. Each time you look at this flag remember; “The American Flag does not fly by the wind, but by the last breath of the fallen soldiers that died to protect our country.” This weekend as people gather to BBQ and laugh and spend time together. Some will take a moment to remember our Fallen.. but we must do more than just remember them. We must honor them.

A few weeks after my son was killed an SSgt at the recruiting station and I were talking… we had been friends for some time and he was very close to my son. He said ‘this is so hard… I don’t know how you do it’… then he was quiet looked at the ground and then looked back at me and said “it’s easier over there… you have a mission to focus on over there.” He doesn’t know it but that conversation probably saved my life. I realized in that moment I had to have a mission. My mission became to take care of my son’s brothers. And by doing so I honor my son. I could no longer take care of my son and he could no longer take care of the men he served with. The ones he fought for, the man to the left, the man to the right, so to honor my son it became my mission to take care of his brothers in arms the best I could. In doing so I have gained many blessings.. So many of our nation’s best have embraced me as family and become such important parts of my life. Even from curses come blessings if we are willing to look for them and my soldier sons have been a blessing. I nearly passed that blessing by until someone helped me find my mission to honor my son and all those who have fallen.

We best honor our fallen by taking care of those who come home… especially our wounded. So I ask you to honor those who have Fallen every day by taking care of those who come home… and those still serving.
One last note.. I do not know the author to credit but I felt I needed to say this to our fallen…

You shall never be forgotten
for though you may be gone from this
world your spirit will live forever
It lives in the laughing eyes of children
who are free from want and oppression
It lives in the bravery and conviction
of those who still struggle for liberty
and it lives in me for I promise
to cherish every breath of freedom
that you paid the ultimate price to secure
I ask only that I might be granted some
small fraction of your courage and strength
to face the challenges of my life with an
honor and dignity worthy of your legacy
May you rest in eternal peace
safe in the knowledge that your sacrifice
was not in vain

To all you who have served.. to all you who do serve.. thank you and take luck.

From the Warfront to the Homefront Foundation Inc. presents May 22nd [...]]]> There is no cost and no where to have to be. It takes a moment in your day to stop.. remember those who have given their lives for your freedoms and light a candle to keep their bright memories alive and glowing.

From the Warfront to the Homefront Foundation Inc. presents
May 22nd Candle Lighting Service For ALL Fallen
U.S Soldiers
From the Warfront to the Homefront Foundation Inc., a registered
501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization, is asking citizens
across this country to light a candle in memory of every U.S. soldier
throughout this countrys’ who has made the “ULTIMATE SACRIFICE” in
either peacetime or times of conflict.
This very solemn event will take place on
Sunday May 22nd,2011
7:00 to 8:00p.m.
ANYWHERE and EVERYWHERE across this country.
You can light a candle in your home, park, community etc.
You can do this alone, with family, neighbors or co-workers.
If you like, folks can read the names of the fallen from their
communities, read poems, have musical selections as long as it
relevant to paying tribute to the fallen.
We are asking individuals to take photos of these services
and email them to Mark. Bruh @gmail.com and/or Emily Toro
goldielox59@aol.com
www.warfront2homefrontfoundation.org