[MissTwisties]

Hopefully some of you won't think it is misplaced of me to post this but....it touched me, and had to post it. I would do the same if it was my husband...Sorry if it is a re-post...

A WIFES REQUEST



I was sitting alone in one of those loud, casual steak houses that you find all over the country.


You know the type--a bucket of peanuts on every table, shells littering the floor, and a bunch of perky college kids racing around with long neck beers and sizzling platters.


Taking a sip of my iced tea, I studied the crowd over the rim of my glass. My gaze lingered on a group enjoying their meal.


They wore no uniform to identify their branch of service, but they were definitely "military:" clean shaven, cropped haircut, and that "squared away" look that comes with pride.

Smiling sadly, I glanced across my table to the empty seat where my husband usually sat.


It had only been a few months since we sat in this very booth, talking about his upcoming deployment to the Middle East.


That was when he made me promise to get a sitter for the kids, come back to this restaurant once a month and treat myself to a nice steak.


In turn he would treasure the thought of me being here, thinking about him until he returned home


I fingered the little flag pin I constantly wear and wondered where he was at this very moment.


Was he safe and warm? Was his cold any better? Were my letters getting through to him?


As I pondered these thoughts, high pitched female voices from the next booth broke into my thoughts.


"I don't know what Bush is thinking about. Invading Iraq. You'd think that man would learn from his old man's mistakes. Good lord.


What an idiot! I can't believe he is even in office. You do know, he stole the election."


I cut into my steak and tried to ignore them, as they began an endless tirade running down our president.


I thought about the last night I spent with my husband, as he prepared to deploy. He had just returned from getting his smallpox and anthrax shots.

The image of him standing in our kitchen packing his gas mask still gives me chills.


Once again the women's voices invaded my thoughts.


"It is all about oil, you know. Our soldiers will go in and rape and steal all the oil they can in the name of 'freedom'.

Hmmm! I wonder how many innocent people they'll kill without giving it a thought? It's pure greed, you know."


My chest tightened as I stared at my wedding ring. I could still see how handsome my husband looked in his "mess dress" the day he slipped it on my finger.

I wondered what he was wearing now. Probably his desert uniform, affectionately dubbed "coffee stains" with a heavy bulletproof vest over it.


"You know, we should just leave Iraq alone. I don't think they are hiding any weapons. In fact, I bet it's all a big act just to increase the president's popularity.


That's all it is, padding the military budget at the expense of our social security and education.

And, you know what else?


We're just asking for another 9-11. I can't say when it happens again that we didn't deserve it."
Their words brought to mind the war protesters I had watched gathering outside our base.
Did no one appreciate the sacrifice of brave men and women, who leave their homes and family to ensure our freedom?

Do they even know what "freedom" is?

I glanced at the table where the young men were sitting, and saw their courageous faces change.

They had stopped eating and looked at each other dejectedly, listening to the women talking.


"Well, I, for one, think it's just deplorable to invade Iraq, and I am certainly sick of our tax dollars going to train professional baby-killers we call a military."


Professional baby-killers? I thought about what a wonderful father my husband is, and of how long it would be before he would see our children again.


That's it! Indignation rose up inside me. Normally reserved, pride in my husband gave me a brassy boldness I never realized I had.

Tonight one voice will answer on behalf of our military, and let her pride in our troops be known.


Sliding out of my booth, I walked around to the adjoining booth and placed my hands flat on their table.

Lowering myself to eye level with them, smilingly said, "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation.

You see, I'm sitting here trying to enjoy my dinner alone.

And, do you know why?

Because my husband, whom I love with all my heart, is halfway around the world defending your right to say rotten things about him."


"Yes, you have the right to your opinion, and what you think is none of my business.

However, what you say in public is something else, and I will not sit by and listen to you ridicule MY country, MY president, MY husband, and all the other fine American men and women who put their lives on the line, just so you can have the "freedom" to complain. Freedom is an expensive commodity, ladies.

Don't let your actions cheapen it."

I must have been louder that I meant to be, because the manager came over to inquire if everything was all right.

"Yes, thank you," I replied.

Then, turning back to the women, I said,

"Enjoy the rest of your meal."


As I returned to my booth applause broke out. I was embarrassed for making a scene, and went back to my half eaten steak.

The women picked up their check and scurried away.

After finishing my meal, and while waiting for my check, the manager returned with a huge apple cobbler ala mode

"Compliments of those soldiers," he said. He also smiled and said the ladies tried to pay for my dinner, but that another couple had beaten them to it.

When I asked who, the manager said they had already left, but that the gentleman was a veteran, and wanted to take care of the wife of "one of our boys."

With a lump in my throat, I gratefully turned to the soldiers and thanked them for the cobbler.

Grinning from ear to ear, they came over and surrounded the booth.

"We just wanted to thank you, ma'am. You know we can't get into confrontations with civilians, so we appreciate what you did."

As I drove home, for the first time since my husband's deployment, I didn't feel quite so alone.

My heart was filled with the warmth of the other diners who stopped by my table, to relate how they, too, were proud of my husband, and would keep him in their prayers.

I knew their flags would fly a little higher the next day.

Perhaps they would look for more tangible ways to show their pride in our country, and the military who protect her.

And maybe, just maybe, the two women who were railing against our country, would pause for a minute to appreciate all the freedom America offers, and the price it pays to maintain it's freedom.

As for me, I have learned that one voice CAN make a difference.

Maybe the next time protesters gather outside the gates of the base where I live, I will proudly stand on the opposite side with a sign of my own. It will simply say, "Thank You!"

To those who fought for our Nation: Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

[Honclfibr]

Who do you suppose writes these stories? I've seen an awful lot of them, most of them turn out to be untrue. Do you suppose there's a CIA department in charge of internet chain letter propaganda?

[Nikon]

That one going around in email again? Or is this another myspace bulliten?

Even though it's old it always touches the heart to read that one.

[MissTwisties]

I did see this one a few times over the past few years or so....whether it's a fake story or not, the idea is just the same, and it touches me to read none the less.

[mzdagrl]

You know, this brought tears to my eyes, and I have never been close with anyone in the military. Support the troops (even if you don't support the war).

[Bruiser]

Originally posted by Nikon
That one going around in email again? Or is this another myspace bulliten?

Even though it's old it always touches the heart to read that one.

Nikon....

you touch my heart..everytime I see you!

[Doc]

This may or may not be true but there is a lesson to learn form it.

I have a story, It is true because it happened to me this July 4th.

Has everyone heard the story or seen the picture of the man in the wheelchair who is standing for the flag as it goes by in a parade? It used to be that when a flag went by everyone would stand, remove their hats, put their hads over there hearts or salute if you were in the military until the flag passed.

Even I had forgotten this, I remembered to do it when I was in uniform but not in civies. (I remembered my grandfather making me do it when I was little.)

So this 4th I was watching the crowd, as the flag approached I saw older gentlemen getting out of there seats and taking off their hats, I did not see anyone under 40 doing it.

As I stood there looking across the street, I snapped to attention (my wife looked at me kinda oddly), I took off my cap and placed it over my heart, I even snapped a smart salute at the end, I then placed my hat back on and my wife gave me a lil kiss and said "I am so proud of you Honey".
I was a little... I guess you could say "embarassed" but an old guy across the street caught my eye as he saluted me and smiled.

I think he knew too that young people take the flag for granted, and he was glad to see someone carry on the tradition.

It only takes a minute, if you see the flag.

How to parade and salute your flag

When carried in a procession, your flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When it passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute. When saluting the flag, everyone comes to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over their heart. Men with head cover should remove it and hold it to their left shoulder, with hand over their heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.

[Bruiser]

When carried in a procession, your flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When it passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute. When saluting the flag, everyone comes to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over their heart. Men with head cover should remove it and hold it to their left shoulder, with hand over their heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge. [/b]

Thanks Doc....and you are right so many young people these days could care less about the flag and the country. As long as they get to enjoy this country, they could care less about what others are sacrificing.

[richw]

Stand and hand over heart every Cub Scout Meeting
Pledge of Allegiance