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Operation Infinite Justice
Sep. 20th, 2001 04:08 amTwenty-one years ago last month, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Yesterday, that same girl, now grown, sailed off with her shipmates and likely into history. I'm both worried and proud. A mother never stops worrying about her children even after they are grown. The Navy is her chosen profession and I am proud of her for having the courage to serve the country like her father and other family members before her. The hardest part for any military family member is the waiting. I'm keeping the faith and hoping for her safe return as well as those with her.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt left Norfolk, VA yesterday, for the world's current hot spot. It's supposed to be a routine mission, but routine missions usually aren't named. Welcome to reality, Operation Infinite Justice has begun, heaven help us all.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt left Norfolk, VA yesterday, for the world's current hot spot. It's supposed to be a routine mission, but routine missions usually aren't named. Welcome to reality, Operation Infinite Justice has begun, heaven help us all.
Uville - courtesy of a friend in e-mail.
Sep. 20th, 2001 01:48 amEvery U down in Uville liked U.S. a lot.
But the Binch, who lived Far East of Uville, did not.
The Binch hated U.S! the whole U.S. way!
Now don't ask me why, for nobody can say,
It might be his turban was screwed on too tight.
Or the sun from the desert had beaten too bright.
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
But, Whatever the reason, his heart or his turban,
He stood facing Uville, the part that was urban.
"They're doing their business," he snarled from his perch. "They're
raising their families! They're going to church! They're leading the
world, and their empire is thriving, I MUST keep the S's and U's from surviving!"
Tomorrow, he knew, all the U's and the S's,
Would put on their pants and their shirts and their dresses,
They'd go to their offices, playgrounds and schools,
And abide by their U and S values and rules,
And then they'd do something he liked least of all,
Every U down in Uville, the tall and the small,
Would stand all united, each U and each S,
And they'd sing Uville's anthem, "God bless us! God Bless!"
All around their Twin Towers of Uville, they'd stand,
And their voices would drown every sound in the land.
"I must stop that singing," Binch said with a smirk,
And he had an idea-an idea that might work!
The Binch stole some U airplanes in U morning hours,
And crashed them right into the Uville Twin Towers.
"They'll wake to disaster!" he snickered, so sour,
"And how can they sing when they can't find a tower?"
The Binch cocked his ear as they woke from their sleeping,
All set to enjoy their U-wailing and weeping,
Instead he heard something that started quite low,
And it built up quite slow, but it started to grow---
And the Binch heard the most unpredictable thing...
And he couldn't believe it-they started to sing!
He stared down at Uville, not trusting his eyes,
What he saw was a shocking, disgusting surprise!
Every U down in Uville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any towers at all!
He HADN'T stopped Uville from singing! It sung!
For down deep in the hearts of the old and the young,
Those Twin Towers were standing, called Hope and called Pride,
And you can't smash the towers we hold deep inside.
So we circle the sites where our heroes did fall,
With a hand in each hand of the tall and the small,
And we mourn for our losses while knowing we'll cope,
For we still have inside that U-Pride and U-Hope.
For America means a bit more than tall towers.
It means more than wealth or political powers.
It's more than our enemies ever could guess,
So may God bless America! Bless us! God bless!
But the Binch, who lived Far East of Uville, did not.
The Binch hated U.S! the whole U.S. way!
Now don't ask me why, for nobody can say,
It might be his turban was screwed on too tight.
Or the sun from the desert had beaten too bright.
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
But, Whatever the reason, his heart or his turban,
He stood facing Uville, the part that was urban.
"They're doing their business," he snarled from his perch. "They're
raising their families! They're going to church! They're leading the
world, and their empire is thriving, I MUST keep the S's and U's from surviving!"
Tomorrow, he knew, all the U's and the S's,
Would put on their pants and their shirts and their dresses,
They'd go to their offices, playgrounds and schools,
And abide by their U and S values and rules,
And then they'd do something he liked least of all,
Every U down in Uville, the tall and the small,
Would stand all united, each U and each S,
And they'd sing Uville's anthem, "God bless us! God Bless!"
All around their Twin Towers of Uville, they'd stand,
And their voices would drown every sound in the land.
"I must stop that singing," Binch said with a smirk,
And he had an idea-an idea that might work!
The Binch stole some U airplanes in U morning hours,
And crashed them right into the Uville Twin Towers.
"They'll wake to disaster!" he snickered, so sour,
"And how can they sing when they can't find a tower?"
The Binch cocked his ear as they woke from their sleeping,
All set to enjoy their U-wailing and weeping,
Instead he heard something that started quite low,
And it built up quite slow, but it started to grow---
And the Binch heard the most unpredictable thing...
And he couldn't believe it-they started to sing!
He stared down at Uville, not trusting his eyes,
What he saw was a shocking, disgusting surprise!
Every U down in Uville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any towers at all!
He HADN'T stopped Uville from singing! It sung!
For down deep in the hearts of the old and the young,
Those Twin Towers were standing, called Hope and called Pride,
And you can't smash the towers we hold deep inside.
So we circle the sites where our heroes did fall,
With a hand in each hand of the tall and the small,
And we mourn for our losses while knowing we'll cope,
For we still have inside that U-Pride and U-Hope.
For America means a bit more than tall towers.
It means more than wealth or political powers.
It's more than our enemies ever could guess,
So may God bless America! Bless us! God bless!
When I was barely three, John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I don't personally remember that though.
When I was in elementary school, relatives, friends, neighbors and others I knew, were going off to fight in places called Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Laos. When the Americans and their allies pulled out "Bringing the boys home" the government in Viet Nam was taken over by a communist regime. Bringing those troops home and having his name stuck on the moon are probably the things Richard Nixon will be remembered for most. That and, of course, his
resignation from office.
I remember when Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King died.
In 1980, when Russia was invading Afghanistan, I watched as the US boycotted the Olympics in Russia. The Russians followed suit in LA four years later. The Olympics.. something that was only ever interrupted by World War II is forever changed by that. It was the American government that supported Afghanistan in that effort, yet now those the lead them that call us oppressors, Homeric indeed.
I watched as cold war went on, a steady strategic battle of keeping up with the Russians. I remember SALT and Star Wars, no, not the movie, the defense satellite system. I remember Iran and Iraq being engaged in a civil war. I watched with the rest of the nation while Day whatever of the Iranian hostage crisis became "Nightline" because those people were held captive for what seemed like forever. I remember that the US gave arms and supplies to Iraq
to help them against a common enemy, Iran. Irony... US aid indirectly lead to another war years later. I remember watching Ronald Reagan on TV saying, "so help me God" on his first Inauguration Day and knowing that that hostages would be on their way home.
I lived in Europe when the US struck back against Libya for terrorist acts. I remember the searches and preparation for possible evacuation. The big worry was preparing what to say to explain to my two daughters in case Daddy, who was assigned to the Second Armored Division, might not be coming home from work that day or at all.
I watched with the rest of the world as the Berlin wall came down and families were reunited along with the republic of Germany. I watched as the Soviet Union became a bunch of fledging nations trying to make their way and in doing so, ending the cold war.
Ten years ago, G. W. Bush's father was President. He took a stand as did the leaders of other nations, they were not going to sit still and watch the people of a tiny country called Kuwait be exterminated, not mention a major portion of the world's oil resources were at stake. I watched and waited ... knowing my husband could go at any time. He didn't go ... then. His time came a few years later when he served in Kuwait and Bosnia.
I felt helpless when my oldest child was informed her vacation with her son was over. However, I needed to call upon something within and hold together long enough to get her on her way. If you think it's hard sending a spouse off to prepare for war, just wait until you have to send off your child.
I have held the hands of scared friends both in the physical and virtual sense, trying to help them cope with deployment of spouses and how to explain it their kids. I have no idea what to say to those that have loved ones and friends lost in this tragedy other than.. "I care and I'm here if you need me." Sometimes just knowing that someone gives a damn that you are hurting means a lot. I have had the hand of friendship extended to me from all over
the world and am humbled by it.
They say what goes around comes around and karma has a way of catching up with people, keep that in mind. Kindly don't assume that I am, nor anyone else is, blinded by anything and please don't presume to tell others what they should or should not think. I've had my eyes opened by a LOT in my life, this was just the proverbial icing on the cake. I am amazed and in awe by some of the wonderful things that have come from the horror of last Tuesday. The truth is... that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Perhaps, this reaction is the coming together of much of the world to reflect in peace and offer their respect to those who died. Perhaps... that reaction is yet to come.
When I was in elementary school, relatives, friends, neighbors and others I knew, were going off to fight in places called Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Laos. When the Americans and their allies pulled out "Bringing the boys home" the government in Viet Nam was taken over by a communist regime. Bringing those troops home and having his name stuck on the moon are probably the things Richard Nixon will be remembered for most. That and, of course, his
resignation from office.
I remember when Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King died.
In 1980, when Russia was invading Afghanistan, I watched as the US boycotted the Olympics in Russia. The Russians followed suit in LA four years later. The Olympics.. something that was only ever interrupted by World War II is forever changed by that. It was the American government that supported Afghanistan in that effort, yet now those the lead them that call us oppressors, Homeric indeed.
I watched as cold war went on, a steady strategic battle of keeping up with the Russians. I remember SALT and Star Wars, no, not the movie, the defense satellite system. I remember Iran and Iraq being engaged in a civil war. I watched with the rest of the nation while Day whatever of the Iranian hostage crisis became "Nightline" because those people were held captive for what seemed like forever. I remember that the US gave arms and supplies to Iraq
to help them against a common enemy, Iran. Irony... US aid indirectly lead to another war years later. I remember watching Ronald Reagan on TV saying, "so help me God" on his first Inauguration Day and knowing that that hostages would be on their way home.
I lived in Europe when the US struck back against Libya for terrorist acts. I remember the searches and preparation for possible evacuation. The big worry was preparing what to say to explain to my two daughters in case Daddy, who was assigned to the Second Armored Division, might not be coming home from work that day or at all.
I watched with the rest of the world as the Berlin wall came down and families were reunited along with the republic of Germany. I watched as the Soviet Union became a bunch of fledging nations trying to make their way and in doing so, ending the cold war.
Ten years ago, G. W. Bush's father was President. He took a stand as did the leaders of other nations, they were not going to sit still and watch the people of a tiny country called Kuwait be exterminated, not mention a major portion of the world's oil resources were at stake. I watched and waited ... knowing my husband could go at any time. He didn't go ... then. His time came a few years later when he served in Kuwait and Bosnia.
I felt helpless when my oldest child was informed her vacation with her son was over. However, I needed to call upon something within and hold together long enough to get her on her way. If you think it's hard sending a spouse off to prepare for war, just wait until you have to send off your child.
I have held the hands of scared friends both in the physical and virtual sense, trying to help them cope with deployment of spouses and how to explain it their kids. I have no idea what to say to those that have loved ones and friends lost in this tragedy other than.. "I care and I'm here if you need me." Sometimes just knowing that someone gives a damn that you are hurting means a lot. I have had the hand of friendship extended to me from all over
the world and am humbled by it.
They say what goes around comes around and karma has a way of catching up with people, keep that in mind. Kindly don't assume that I am, nor anyone else is, blinded by anything and please don't presume to tell others what they should or should not think. I've had my eyes opened by a LOT in my life, this was just the proverbial icing on the cake. I am amazed and in awe by some of the wonderful things that have come from the horror of last Tuesday. The truth is... that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Perhaps, this reaction is the coming together of much of the world to reflect in peace and offer their respect to those who died. Perhaps... that reaction is yet to come.
Pictures of remembrance
Sep. 16th, 2001 04:00 pmhttp://www.plur.net/thankyou/index2.html
A friend passed that along... I'm in awe.
A friend passed that along... I'm in awe.
Light a candle
Sep. 16th, 2001 03:49 amhttp://lightacandle.sol.dk/
Light a virtual candle in memory of those that perished.
Light a virtual candle in memory of those that perished.
Pooka had it right
Sep. 14th, 2001 10:55 amI think Pooka said it best.. "If you think the soldiers are tough, look at the ones they leave behind.
We have to pull together. It's a pack instinct to the greatest degree. When one is hurt, we're all hurt and work together to solve it."
I've been the one left behind more than once. It's hard enough to watch your spouse board a train, a plane or climb into a tank to be off to serve, but to watch your child do the same is far harder.
Wednesday, I was at the 7-11 fueling my car up and heard a song that was popular during the Desert Storm era. Interesting turn of phrase, "Desert Storm ERA." It seems so long ago that I first set foot in Texas just before that war began. In Texas, the proper display of the state flag in war time should be upside down. I think that's a tradition that goes back to the days when Texas was an independent republic.
I was saying, the song it's called, "God Bless the USA." It became the anthem for that period in time. As long as the US flies Old Glory and she stands for everything our founding fathers believed in and sacrificed for, this song will have meaning for all Americans, no matter where they are, who they are, or where their family originated from.
From http://www.leegreenwood.com/
If tomorrow all the things were gone I worked for all my life and I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I thank my lucky stars to be living here today cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.
We have to pull together. It's a pack instinct to the greatest degree. When one is hurt, we're all hurt and work together to solve it."
I've been the one left behind more than once. It's hard enough to watch your spouse board a train, a plane or climb into a tank to be off to serve, but to watch your child do the same is far harder.
Wednesday, I was at the 7-11 fueling my car up and heard a song that was popular during the Desert Storm era. Interesting turn of phrase, "Desert Storm ERA." It seems so long ago that I first set foot in Texas just before that war began. In Texas, the proper display of the state flag in war time should be upside down. I think that's a tradition that goes back to the days when Texas was an independent republic.
I was saying, the song it's called, "God Bless the USA." It became the anthem for that period in time. As long as the US flies Old Glory and she stands for everything our founding fathers believed in and sacrificed for, this song will have meaning for all Americans, no matter where they are, who they are, or where their family originated from.
From http://www.leegreenwood.com/
If tomorrow all the things were gone I worked for all my life and I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I thank my lucky stars to be living here today cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.
I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free and I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me and I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God Bless the USA!
From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee, across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea from Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA well there's pride in every American heart and it's time that we stand and say that:
I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free and I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me and I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God Bless the USA!
In memory of all those who have perished this
morning; the passengers and pilots on the USAir and AA flights,
the workers in the World Trade Center and
the Pentagon, and all the innocent bystanders.
Our prayers go out to the friends and family of the deceased.
Send this to 5 people to show your support.
morning; the passengers and pilots on the USAir and AA flights,
the workers in the World Trade Center and
the Pentagon, and all the innocent bystanders.
Our prayers go out to the friends and family of the deceased.
Send this to 5 people to show your support.
Who stopped the world?
Sep. 11th, 2001 12:49 pmToday hits hard for me... I'm trying to hold it together long enough for her to be on her way back. Then there will be time to breathe... and to cry.
For those that didn't know, my daughter has been home on leave for the few days. She has been recalled to her ship. I think that's enough said.
My husband has been locked down at Ft. Hood. I have no idea if he's being mobilized or not.
I was upset by what happened at the World Trade Center, it's a tragedy, it's devastating... I got scared when the largest military base in the US was closed and went into lockdown.
When my daughter was told she was recalled... suddenly, I felt like a piece of steel was stuck in my spine. I can't afford to fall apart. Not now... Tomorrow, I can fall apart... Today... I can not... I'm needed.
For those worried about loved ones and friends, my thoughts are with you.
For those that didn't know, my daughter has been home on leave for the few days. She has been recalled to her ship. I think that's enough said.
My husband has been locked down at Ft. Hood. I have no idea if he's being mobilized or not.
I was upset by what happened at the World Trade Center, it's a tragedy, it's devastating... I got scared when the largest military base in the US was closed and went into lockdown.
When my daughter was told she was recalled... suddenly, I felt like a piece of steel was stuck in my spine. I can't afford to fall apart. Not now... Tomorrow, I can fall apart... Today... I can not... I'm needed.
For those worried about loved ones and friends, my thoughts are with you.
