One Citizen's Gift

On your two hundred and thirty-first birthday, what could you possibly want that you don't already have?

Could you use a bath? When I take my warm relaxing shower this morning, I will remember you covered with ten days of grime and not a spigot in sight.

Could you use a cold drink? When I reach into the refrigerator to withdraw a chilled beer,  I will raise a toast to you drinking warm, stagnant water from a gritty canteen.

Could you use a home cooked meal? When I sit down to a linen covered table spread with the finest holiday fare and surrounded by the faces of my family, I will remember you huddled alone suffering through another "Ham, Sliced" MRE and the chair at your family's table that will go empty this holiday season.

Could you use a peaceful night's rest? When I stretch out on my crisp white sheets in the quiet of my master suite , I will remember the anxiety you will feel again tonight with the whine of rockets and the swish of mortar fire overhead with only seventy pounds of body armor for a blanket.

Would that I could give you all that you deserve. Instead, I will remain always faithful to the memory of your daily sacrifice in the course of my own daily life. Truly,

Semper Fidelis

Comments

[Stealthkix]

Beautiful. Simply f**king beautiful.

[Freelancer]

As usual, Jane, well done.

A hearty Semper Fi to all the jarheads out there from this squid.

[mad_cow]

Jane,

This is an awsome post. I'm sending it to everyone in my email address book.

And thanks for the kind words you left at my blog. Much, much appreciated.

Julie

[Laura Lee Donoho]

Jane, thanks for your post. I am going to link to it on my blog. Well said. I want my son and brother to read it.

[{Editor's Note:}] Jane Responds: The positive vibes I have gotten from this are amazing. It is a tribute to my Grandfather who lied (at 15) to get into the Navy and served in WWI, my father for his service in Vietnam, and my Hunky Marine Husband. They are amazing and it is my love letter to them.

[Karridine]

Ma'am, WELL SAID!

We lost our generator on night, on our mountain-top on our island on the Korean DMZ, and I had to stand guard outside in knee-deep snow and sub-Siberian, blistering cold alternating with sleet...

What warmed me was 'America is worth it... THIS is worth it... America deserves this...'

I never made it to 10 days unwashed, but I did 6 days-five nights once... and I still thank God for America!

Veterans! THANK YOU for your service!

[rhino-itall]

beautiful