My daughter with her brand new hubby wanted to say this for all the MB family..... she says it has taught her to be a good wife and to have a good marriage. She won't make my mistakes
so here she goes ...

I know there are a lot of military families on this board
it seems the stress and pain and loss and separation
causes so much hurt in marriages.
It's no excuse of course but it happens, it happened in my family
but we're here still and recovered

Nevertheless, I feel its important to honour all the men and women of the Coalition who are fighting now, or have fought, or even sadly died, so that we may live in peace and security.

So on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, today,
STOP for one minute, even amongst your own pain and remember
the fallen, the wounded in mind and body, the spouse and the
children.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

For my families and our MB families - you know who you all are - our three serving soldiers, my husband, my dad, safe now for a while at home, my brother who had better come home safe if he knows what's good for him,
to my 'uncles' and my cousin Rembrandt who never made it home,and all of 'our boys & girls' - thinking of you -
Love you forever

Thanks to all servicemen and servicewomen all over the world fighting for peace for all of us.

And thanks for posting this, AW.

Ace

Yes and amen.

This has become very real to me. My youngest son will be deployed to Iraq in March.

Amen. Thanks for your sacrifice, all who are now serving or who have served. And I'm grateful to the families left behind who are also making many sacrifices.

May God Bless all of our warfighters.

So go to sleep my weary Soldier let the time go drifting by
Can't you hear those bullets humming well that's a Soldier's lullaby

Well they say your clothes are torn and ragged
And your hair it's turning slightly gray
Some day you'll die and go to heaven
And You'll find peace again up there some day

So go to sleep my weary Soldier let the time go drifting by
Can't you hear the bullets humming that's a Soldier's lullaby


Sure we’ll tell her what became of you,
and tell her a soldier you became
and say your final sounds
were the whispers of her name

So go to sleep my weary Soldier let the time go drifting by
Can't you hear the bullets humming that's a Soldier's lullaby

that's a Soldier's lullaby

Invictus


Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley

Pass the hanky, please.

AJ wanted me to let you know he didn't have time to post before dashing out the door to work, but he gave you a bunch of stars.

Letter from Afghanistan
2007
28 Oct 0342 hrs
my darling

I know you will be heart broken for Lee to hear soon that Matty is gone. He was a good mate and did not roll over easily. We were just too far away too help, they are too far away to get help to us quickly.
We are out in the middle of things and there are many of terri-taliban closing in around us so I don't have much time to write
Although the verdict has yet to be passed and the sentence is not definite, I wish only that you should bear whatever comes should it come to pass with the same serenity as I do. I am sure we can move through their lines soon and do our job, so don't feel too worried.

I have no fear and only regret missing our kids, the children of my heart, and you, the woman of my life.

You should be serene and resigned because this is no more than an accident of life, should the time come. After all what is life but a game of living in complete and continuous sacrifice to those we love and our duty?
Its very dark right now, I would prefer not to finish writing, but what more can I say? I'm sending this out with a few of the Afghan scouts, they should get it to Billy or Podge and they will get it to you.

Many kisses brimming with love for all

Last night I loved you. Today, I adore you.

Luckily I never got this letter written on a empty mre pack until my husband was safe and sound ... its worth more than all I own.

Wow, AW, what a wonderful letter to have. It gave me chills.

I'm not sure why I hate to admit this, but it made me cry.

Very glad he's home safe. I realize that I'm not even close to as glad as you are.


I wish we had world wide peace, but since we do not, I am thankful for those who keep us (and others) free.

SS