The Things They Carried
Americans enjoy remarkable freedoms including the freedom to worship. We have recently been reminded that those freedoms can be challenged and sometimes must be defended. This Veteran's Day take time to "count the cost of freedom" and perhaps express gratitude to God and those you know have "carried" us.
The things they carried . . . .
They carried P-38 can openers and heat tabs, watches and dog tags, insect repellent, gum, salt tablets, compress bandages, ponchos, Kool-Aid, two or three canteens of water, iodine tablets, sterno, LRRP- rations, and C-rations stuffed in socks.
They carried standard fatigues, jungle boots, bush hats, flak jackets and steel pots (helmets). They carried the M-16 assault rifle. M-1 for us older Dudes.
They carried trip flares and Claymore mines, M-60 machine guns, the M- 70 grenade launcher, M-14's, (M1's), CAR-15's, Stoners, Swedish K's, 66mm Laws, shotguns, .45 caliber pistols, silencers, the sound of bullets, rockets, and choppers, and sometimes the sound of silence. The B.A.R. for us older dudes.
They carried C-4 plastic explosives, an assortment of hand grenades, PRC-25 radios, knives and machetes. Some carried napalm, CBU's and large bombs; some risked their lives to rescue others. Some escaped the fear, but dealt with the death and damage. Some made very hard decisions, and some just tried to survive.
They carried malaria, dysentery, ringworms and leaches. They carried the land itself as it hardened on their boots. They carried stationery, pencils, and pictures of their loved ones - real and imagined.
They carried love for people in the real world and love for one another. And sometimes they disguised that love: "Don'tmean nothin'!"
They carried memories for the most part, they carried themselves with poise and a kind of dignity. Now and then, there were times when panic set in, and people squealed or wanted to, but couldn't; when they itched and made moaning sounds and covered their heads and said "Dear God" and hugged the earth and fired their weapons blindly and cringed and begged for the noise to stop and went wild and made stupid promises to themselves and God and their parents, hoping not to die.
They carried the traditions of the United States military, and memories and images of those who served before them. They carried grief, terror, longing and their reputations.
They carried the soldier's greatest fear . . . the embarrassment of dishonor. They crawled into tunnels, walked point, and advanced under fire, so as not to die of embarrassment. They were afraid of dying, but too afraid to show it.
They carried the emotional baggage of men and women who might die at any moment. They carried the weight of the world. THEY CARRIED EACH OTHER.
Author Unknown
Remember them this Remembrance Day, November 11. In remembering all those who have died we acknowledge their influence in our own lives today
GOOD MORNING !
We’ve got several veterans in our family. Some that are still living and some have died. I suppose it’s hard to find someone that doesn’t have a relative that served in some branch of the military. I’m so proud of each and everyone of them.
Today I am thankful l for another experience of realizing that I am, indeed, safe and provided for. I’m praying for all our veterans, those that have died and those that are still living and especially for the wounded and disabled and their families
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Know that you are the perfect age. Each year is special and precious, for you shall only live it once.
Louise Hay
May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart.
MA
6 comments:
A beautiful and touching entry my friend.
http://journals.aol.co.uk/jeanno43/JeannettesJottings/
amen and a bueatiful sentiment
Roll on the day when all wars will end. Very thought provoking.
Jenny <><
http://journals.aol.co.uk/jennyp51/stop-the-clock-times-moving-too-/
I was realy touched by this entry it is beautiful.You are a wonderful writer.I love your journal.We must never forget!! You have said it all.God Bless.
Astoriasand http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES
Wonderful tribute to our veterans. God bless you and I hope you have a good weekend.
Angela
Hi there. My grandfather was in the Navy. He had an attack of appendecitis (sp?) on the ship and they took him to a hospital some where in California. While he was in the hospital his ship took a hit somewhere in the Pacific. I wish I'd had more information from him on this. He did not ever talk about it. I don't think he wanted me to know about such things. I am glad that he was there for me as a grandfather. He was a young man when this happened, and my grandmother was of course very young too. I can't imagine having to let your beloved "go". And I admire all those who have had to let their loved ones "go" to protect our country and protect us. So hard. So hard.
Sonya
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