Topic : 1 More Yellow Ribbon

This letter my sister wrote to me in an email. I was so touched by it, I have to share it with everyone i know and dont know!!!

I want to share something with you. Something very hard for me to relive. But something I think everyone should know!
Recently my husband and 9 other men got on a plane bound for Afghanistan. I spent 7 hours sitting with him in a hot building with no air or ventilation of any kind. 7 hours we sat there waiting for his plane to arrive so that he could leave. So that he and 9 other men could leave their families, their friends and their lives, to go to a distant land to fight for your freedom. For 7 hours I watched these men hold their wives, their children, and even their parents. 7 hours I listened to the cries and the prayers. At the end of that 7 hours I watched 10 brave men leave their family's, leave their friends and leave their lives. I watched 10 men get on an airplane and not look back. I watched wives, and children, and even parents cry and fall to their knees. But in those 7 hours you know what I did not see? I did not see one soldier cry. I didn't see fear in one soldiers eyes. I did not hear one soldier say he didn't want to go. I didn't hear one soldier say it was unfair. But the one thing that got me the most is that we, the wives, the children, and even the parents were the only ones to see. No one came to say goodbye. No one came to say good luck. No one even came to say thank you or God bless.
Everyday these soldiers and others just like them are out there fighting for you. Fighting for your lives. And do you know why??? Because they love you. Because the love this country. Because they believe they can make a difference.
Even if you do not support this war. Please support our troops. They are here for you. They are fighting for you. And they are dieing for you!

Thank you!
Tonya (wife of a U.S. Army Soldier)

Dedicated to my husband my HERO!!

2 days ago, my husband left for the second time, on his way to Iraq. My 6 month old daughter and I eagerly wait to hear that he has gotten there, and is alright. I just want to thank you, and everyone in your same mindset. You are right, there is so much we can do. However, my husband told me,"Just knowing that people are behind us, and respect what we are doing is enough to get us through one more day."

I just wish that more people understood that real people are effected daily by this war, and that every negative word against this war is hurtful to the families and loved ones of the brave women and men fighting.

I am Active Duty Air Force, and i just wanted to say thank you to everyone who have put out such kind words for us troops! that really makes me sooo happy! you have no clue! God Bless you all!

God bless you and your daughter, and especially your husband.  My son was in Iraq last year, and I just found out that he will be returning for another tour later this year, so I can empathize with the pain you feel.

When opponents to the war speak out, I don't let it hurt me.  First of all, even the most adamant critics of the war in Iraq do not attack the integrity of our beloved soldiers.  I have never seen such an outpouring of love and support for my family and my son.  Please remember that among the rights our military fights for are the freedom of speech and freedom of belief that we enjoy in this country. 

So when you hear the opponents of the war speak out, and it is hard to avoid it, be thankful that we live in a country where we are free to express our opinions.  I know that is one of the reasons my son serves his country.  I truly believe that even those who are opposed to our involvement in Iraq still respect the sacrifice that our soldiers, and their families, make every day.

to all of the family's and to all of the solders i just found this so i apologize that i could not tell you all this till now THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO NOT JUST THE FIGHTING BUT WEARING THE UNIFORM WALKING AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY'S NEVER WAVERING NEVER BACKING DOWN WE WILL NEVER FORGET I PROMISE AS A MAN AND A FATHER AND A HUSBAND AND AS A TRUE AMERICAN!!!!!! all i can do for you is what Ive been doing and i will always do is say thank you for your service every time we pass prying for you and your family's and praying for the lost solders who gave the most precious gift of all there own lives for all the things we take for granted every day. my wife Jennifer thanks you my daughter Elizabeth thanks you my son Devin Jr. thanks you my daughter Marie thanks you and i myself Devin Reese Sr. thank you from the bottom of our hearts!! we cant say we now how you feel i was out of the USMC before i met my wife and i never went to war but we can say thanks and pray and hope and cry when one leaves when one comes home when one falls. take care with love from our family to yours. thanks the Reese family.

                               !!!!WE WILL NEVER FORGET!!!!

Where is the thread for Sept 11th victims, rescue workers and responders dealing with their grief?

Dont get all upset, I am just saying that now 6+ yrs later, family, victims, rescue and recovery workers who are dying and have a tremendous amount of moral, psychological and legal issues have no place on this board.  Before the war there was an ugly day in which every day people suffered an attack in their home, schools and work that was the standing/jump off point for this war. 

Now that at least twice a month we hear about someone dying of cancer from their rescue efforts (and this includes, media who covered it, families who searched relentlessly for their loved one's and helped others, rescue workers and responders who went to help, rescue and dig) no one hears about it or cares to talk about it. 

We have watched young and old go to war, many in our families come back (not intact) from the war.  We care and grieve their pain every day because our pain has never been dealt with.  We were told to suck it up, get over it, move on, forget it, dont let it affect you, whats your problem, dont be a victim, stop acting like a victim and been ignored.

So now that we are dying, in front of our children and cant figure out how to tell them what we are going through...who is going to help us figure out how it is we explain to an 8 and 10 yr what mommy or daddy has that is stealing their lives daily.

Two weeks ago it was Detective Ryan's wife's turn to struggle with burying her husband, consoling their 4 children and dealing with the anxiety and pain of death and September 11th all over.

I was greatful this year at thanks giving for another year.  What will become of family when I am gone?  Who is going to help me now that I can no longer do my housework?  What can I do to lessen the burden of my illness catastrophic cost on my family? How can I console my colleagues and help them?

The worst part, is the guilt!  Knowing that what happened to us on 9/11 was the springboard for the war, for the continued loss and the pain of our soldiers (including my young cousins) who are injured.  Could I have done more?

So I not only thank the soldiers, and show my appreciation by sending greeting and comfort items, I also thank those few who are still active in the 9/11 community to help their peers whether they are victims, families, rescue or recovery workers.  Lets NEVER forget them. Lets NEVER forget our soldiers.