War!

[The1calledTKE]

The bombing of Bagdad has started. Here we go into the unknown.

[texas*princess]

[Peaches-n-Cream]

The President will address the nation at 10:15 Eastern time.

[chideltjen]

oy... just missed the address...

why does it have to come to this?

[FAB*SpiceySpice]

[AngelPhiSig]

[Optimist Prime]

Did the U.N. vote already?

[Cloud9]

The saddest thing to me watching the news and seeing coverage of troops, is just how young many of the soldiers are. Some of them are teenagers straight out of highschool. It's incredible. I just hope they and their older colleagues stay safe.

[OUlioness01]

all i can think of right now is my armyguy and the sounds of the dogs barking as the bombs started falling. i hope this can end soon.

[AXJules]

Apparently we went after the senior, SENIOR officials......I'd think Saddam would be in a bunker somewhere, not sleeping in his palace.....but......I dunno, I'm scurred.

[phimugirlie01]

Originally posted by OUlioness01
all i can think of right now is my armyguy and the sounds of the dogs barking as the bombs started falling. i hope this can end soon.

I'm sorry sweetie. Armyguy will be fine, try not to worry too much (it's an impossible feat, I know)

[texas*princess]

Originally posted by OUlioness01
all i can think of right now is my armyguy and the sounds of the dogs barking as the bombs started falling. i hope this can end soon.

Hey there hon! Armyguy will be OK He and the rest of the troops are in my prayers

[KappaTarzan]

even if it is the right choice, it is sad.

[honeychile]

I just got this email. I hope y'all find it as touching as I:

I cannot help myself from feeling pride and being proud for all our service personnel each time I read this. Just heard Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld say today, "Our troops are ready to go. We just need the word from the President," or words to that effect. The days ahead will bring a lot of hardship and death to many people on all sides. Only God can help them now, as it appears a war is written in the sand.

The average age of the Infantryman is 19 years.

He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country.

He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away.

He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm Howitzers.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.

He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark.

He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.

He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.

He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.

He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle.

He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime.

He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them.

He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom.

Beardless or not, he is not a boy.

He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.

Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

Prayer Wheel For Our Military

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen."

Prayer Wheel: When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground troops in Afghanistan, sailors on ships, and airmen in the air, and for those preparing for a possible war with Iraq. There is nothing attached.... This can be very powerful.... Just send this to all the people in your address book. Do not stop the wheel, please.... Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor or Airman, prayer is the very best one.

[back to me] In his speech, President Bush said something that the people in our Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard are fighting in Iraq so that our firemen, policemen, doctors, and paramedics don't have to do so here. I found that moving.

However each of y'all feel about this war, please remember the individuals who are directly involved with it.

honeychile

[SATX*APhi]

honeychile, that was beautiful. Thank you SO much for sharing it.