our troops

**eaglelover** · 12-13-2003, 03:47 PM

this might be kinda long but it is worth your time to read it!!!!
** Ann Rea's Son **

As some of you may know, one of my son's serves in the military. He is still stateside, here in California. He called me yesterday to let me know how warm and welcoming people were to him, and his troops, everywhere he goes. Telling me how people shake their hands, and thank them for being willing to serve, and fight, for not only our own freedoms but so that others may have them also.

But he also told me about an incident in the grocery store he stopped at yesterday, on his way home from the base.

He said that ahead of several people in front of him stood a woman dressed in a burkha. He said when she got to the cashier she loudly remarked about the U.S. flag lapel pin the cashier wore on her smock.

The cashier reached up and touched the pin, and said yes, I always wear it.

The woman in the burkha then asked the cashier when she was going to stop bombing her countrymen, explaining that she was Iraqi.

A gentleman standing behind my son stepped forward, putting his arm around my son's shoulders, and nodding towards my son, said in a calm andgentle voice to the Iraqi woman: "Lady, hundreds of thousands of men and women like this young man have fought and died so that you could stand here, in MY country and accuse a check-out cashier of bombing your Countrymen.It is my belief that had you been this outspoken in YOUR OWN country we wouldn't need to be there today. But, hey? if you have now learned how to speak out so loudly and clearly I'll gladly pay your way back to Iraq so you can straighten out the mess you are obviously here to avoid."

Everyone in line, and within hearing distance, cheered the older Gentleman, coming forward as they reached for their wallets.

The woman in the burkha left the store in silence.

I am, like at least some that were in the store, outraged! But it also warmed my heart to know that we, as American's, are speaking out, calmly and succinctly (finally) to those that enjoy the freedoms here in the US. But who complain and berate the very government (and the people) that protect those very freedoms.Hooray for Rea's son; Hooray for that checker; Hooray for the gentlemanin the store for his actions;

Hooray for Rea for sharing this with all of us.

God Bless America, and Our Troops!

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Merry Christmas!

YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE,,,,SO IF YOU HAVE A DREAM,,,,,GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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**Patrish** · 12-14-2003, 03:04 AM

AMEN...AND I TOTALLY AGREE. AND THEY ARE GIVING THEM FREEDOM....AND THEIR PPL WILL BE ABLE TO SPEAK, THINK AND ACT FREE....THEY SHOULD BE ECSTATIC.

**essex boy** · 12-14-2003, 08:25 AM

I've said more than my fair share on this subject,
Everyone knows my view,others have theirs,thats life
All I wanna do is leave this as a tribute to your son,
and our American Allies.

**Patrish** · 12-14-2003, 11:53 AM

Great tribute

**FeistyLaraCroft** · 12-14-2003, 03:21 PM

Great Post Eagle.........and all I have to say to all those other countries that didn't want to back us up "IN YOUR FACE" and by us I mean the U.S.A.and the Brittish

**Patrish** · 12-14-2003, 04:57 PM

INDEED,Good show...LARA

**eaglelover** · 12-14-2003, 05:20 PM

ok i must have missed something when i posted that... it was not my son but of anothers ( i don't know exactly whos) but from 1 of ours... sorry bout the confusion on that... but i thought it was pretty down to earth and "hit the nail on the head " so to speak!! roosters and my kids are girls 12, 8, 3 boys 9 and 11.... whoooo i may have just had a birthday but don't make me older then i am lol... glad ya'all enjoyed it

**Patrish** · 12-14-2003, 06:43 PM

Thanks...for sharing.

Its a gr8 story.

**beerman** · 12-26-2003, 03:08 PM

excellent post!!!! should be in every paper world wide!!!!!

**homeinspec** · 12-27-2003, 02:53 AM

Originally Posted by eaglelover

this might be kinda long but it is worth your time to read it!!!!
** Ann Rea's Son **

As some of you may know, one of my son's serves in the military. He is still stateside, here in California. He called me yesterday to let me know how warm and welcoming people were to him, and his troops, everywhere he goes. Telling me how people shake their hands, and thank them for being willing to serve, and fight, for not only our own freedoms but so that others may have them also.

But he also told me about an incident in the grocery store he stopped at yesterday, on his way home from the base.

He said that ahead of several people in front of him stood a woman dressed in a burkha. He said when she got to the cashier she loudly remarked about the U.S. flag lapel pin the cashier wore on her smock.

The cashier reached up and touched the pin, and said yes, I always wear it.

The woman in the burkha then asked the cashier when she was going to stop bombing her countrymen, explaining that she was Iraqi.

A gentleman standing behind my son stepped forward, putting his arm around my son's shoulders, and nodding towards my son, said in a calm andgentle voice to the Iraqi woman: "Lady, hundreds of thousands of men and women like this young man have fought and died so that you could stand here, in MY country and accuse a check-out cashier of bombing your Countrymen.It is my belief that had you been this outspoken in YOUR OWN country we wouldn't need to be there today. But, hey? if you have now learned how to speak out so loudly and clearly I'll gladly pay your way back to Iraq so you can straighten out the mess you are obviously here to avoid."

Everyone in line, and within hearing distance, cheered the older Gentleman, coming forward as they reached for their wallets.

The woman in the burkha left the store in silence.

I am, like at least some that were in the store, outraged! But it also warmed my heart to know that we, as American's, are speaking out, calmly and succinctly (finally) to those that enjoy the freedoms here in the US. But who complain and berate the very government (and the people) that protect those very freedoms.Hooray for Rea's son; Hooray for that checker; Hooray for the gentlemanin the store for his actions;

Hooray for Rea for sharing this with all of us.

God Bless America, and Our Troops!

\ /

__\/ \/__
__\/ \/__
_\-'"'-/_
(_, ,_)
|6 6|
| |
| \_/ |
'._|_.'
Merry Christmas!

YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE,,,,SO IF YOU HAVE A DREAM,,,,,GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you Yahoo!?
New Yahoo! Photos - easier uploading and sharing

Good for the Gentleman in line,,,,,, I am a 22 year Retired/disabled Veteran of these UNITED STATES AIR FORCE and I must aplaud that man and others like him for standing up for what is right,,,,,,and maybe others as the woman with the "BURKHA", on her head will also learn to ignor their ignorance and be just as grateful as the rest of us. If they can not,,,,,then as the old saying goes,,,"If you don't like it here then go back to where you came from" then see how fast they will realize how well they had it in the "GOOD 'OLE U.S. of A"
Thank you for sharing this with us

Rich

**eaglelover** · 12-29-2003, 12:28 AM

ty rich... very true words you have there .. my friend

**homeinspec** · 12-30-2003, 01:58 AM

QUOTE=eaglelover]ty rich... very true words you have there .. my friend[/QUOTE]

No!!! Thanks to you and all others that support ALL Veterans of the past, present and future. We all need your support more than you all realize. When I came home from Viet Nam we couldn't say that we were there,,,,we were called baby killers, and so on and so on and people would actually try to fight us or spit in our faces. Please all of you Roo's out there,,,,,,PLEASE,,,, don't let this happen again. Sorry for rambling on but just had to vent someplace and felt you all are very understanding and caring people.

THANK YOU!!!!

**Patrish** · 12-31-2003, 03:38 AM

Not a problem, hon. Personally, I believe
that those who didnt fight for our freedoms have no right to spit in someone else's face, under any conditions.
That is rude, inconsiderate, and plain nasty. Makes me kinda irked.

I am ashamed anyone would do that.....and that spirit is still alive in some....but thank goodness not many.

God Bless You.

**eaglelover** · 01-01-2004, 02:00 AM

so i will say it now if you were not thanked back then you sure should have been!!!!!! anyone that has fought for there country should be able to hold their head high. so god bless you homeinspec because without people like you we would not have the country we have today!

**Patrish** · 01-02-2004, 06:46 PM

Amen and yes indeed!

**homeinspec** · 01-06-2004, 02:11 AM

Thank you Patrish and Eaglelover,,,,,,this means a whole lot to us ALL,,,,,, more than you will ever realize and for Essex Boy, I am new here so I do not know your Views but would be interested to know,,,,Once again Thanks to ALL of you from ALL of the Veterans.

**Patrish** · 01-07-2004, 11:04 PM

We thank you for MORE!

Chin up!

**comeawaywithme2003** · 01-07-2004, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by FeistyLaraCroft

Great Post Eagle.........and all I have to say to all those other countries that didn't want to back us up "IN YOUR FACE" and by us I mean the U.S.A.and the Brittish

You all seem to forget that the Aussies were and still are there........ whilst we are small in population, we did send troops, we supported Bush against the UN, and I am not being nasty here, but it seems to be a fact that Americans forget who their allies are..... ok, the Brits and the Aussies.......

this is from news headlines today:

More Australian troops head to Iraq

The latest rotation of troops have left Australia for Iraq to continue the work of protecting officials and other military staff helping with the reconstruction effort.

The contingent of 60 personnel was farewelled by officials, family and friends as it left the RAAF base at Richmond, north-west of Sydney.

Australian Defence Force (ADF) acting Land Commander Major General Mark Evans said the detachment, part of Australia's Operation Catalyst, would continue the task of protecting officials working in Baghdad and fellow ADF members.

"The security detachment plays a vital role," Major General Evans said.

"It's a job that requires a high level of vigilance in a complex environment."

The contingent will spend four months in Iraq as part of a regular rotation and will relieve the current detachment based in Baghdad who will return to Australia later this month.

There are currently about 870 defence personnel deployed in the Middle East as part of Operation Catalyst, which is Australia's contribution to the rebuilding of Iraq.

**Patrish** · 01-07-2004, 11:55 PM

Let it never be discounted that we appreciate our Aussie friends. Even as a small group, they more than show their true friendship by being ever vigilant by our sides.

They are still A~OK, in my book! I have met some fairly wonderful Aussie's online, and one I maintain a good repoir with who once filled the 'halls of roo' with her wonderful humor. I miss her dearly in here.

She may visit here someday, and has an open door as far as I am concerned.
(Miss ya RubyReddress)

Anyway, point in fact, apologies if we may seem as small folk, to overlook our down under pals....not intentional, not at all.
Thanks for the reminder

**comeawaywithme2003** · 01-08-2004, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Patrish

Let it never be discounted that we appreciate our Aussie friends. Even as a small group, they more than show their true friendship by being ever vigilant by our sides.

They are still A~OK, in my book! I have met some fairly wonderful Aussie's online, and one I maintain a good repoir with who once filled the 'halls of roo' with her wonderful humor. I miss her dearly in here.

She may visit here someday, and has an open door as far as I am concerned.
(Miss ya RubyReddress)

Anyway, point in fact, apologies if we may seem as small folk, to overlook our down under pals....not intentional, not at all.
Thanks for the reminder

THANK YOU, PATRISH..... it is appreciated that you recognise what we do.......