Happy Memorial Day

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

In Honor of Veterans Day

Simply stated this is my son. He has 21 days left in Afghanistan....I am so proud of what he chooses to do, but I can't wait until he is home and can tuck his daughter in at night, come to Sunday dinner and be safe.

There are so many men and women who are away from families and loved ones so that we can all live with freedom. The soldiers see and experience things that we wish our children would never witness. They come back as different people, wiser, stronger and sadder, but they appreciate the country we live in. They put their lives on the line everyday, they see friends die and get hurt.

My son has been in Somalia, Iraq and now Afghanistan, he said this is his last tour.....but one never knows.

I want to Thank all of the veterans who have helped to give us the freedom we enjoy each day.

He's on his way home!!!

We can hardly wait for him to get here.....it seems so long he has been gone. I have baked cookies, (chocolate chip, his fav) Beer in the refrigerator and pantry has lots of goodies. I know it is a long trip, but each day he is traveling it is one less day he is fighting the war in Afghanistan, one day I worry a bit less. I can't wait to see his daughters face when her Daddy is home.

Sadly it is only for his two weeks leave, but it is two weeks less that he is in Afghanistan~

Happy Birthday America!

My Country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty.....I think we should all be very grateful for the brave men and women who are defending all of our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

My son who is serving in Afghanistan would post this picture on my birthday...on his face book page. My daughter said to him, I am sure Mom loved the butt hanging out of your mouth...funny thing is I never thought of it. I had not heard from him for two weeks and just knowing he was OK on my birthday made me cry. My point here is that my son like so many other men and women are frighting the fight so we can say HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA. So we can let freedom ring! You see this is how I still see my sweet boy. It is so hard to believe almost 33 years have passed since I took this photo.I am feeling so proud of my son, but to be honest I just can't wait until he is home safe and sound along with the rest of his unit. As we hung our flag out today I realize how much I have taken for granted over the years. ~Freedom~ such a gift.

~Happy Fourth of July~

What is wrong with the people in this country?

I have been trying to write this post for a few days and I really don't know where to start....I like to write about happy things, but something bad happened last week, April 19th, yes, Patriots Day. We were home that morning, just outside, it was a beautiful warm, sunny day. The phone had rung and we did not hear it. When I came in there was a message from our son, he said Mom, Dad, I just want you to know I am OK...something really bad happened here today, I am not at liberty to say right now, but no matter what you hear I am OK. They will be shutting down communication so you may not hear back from me for a few days....don't worry I am OK. I knew by his voice it was bad, but had no idea what happened. Please call Grampa and Kaylee, let them know I am fine....I can't make anymore calls, I love you guys! My son is in Kabul, Afghanistan at Camp Phoenix with the 1st Battalion 101st Field Artillery Regiment, based out of Fall River MA.

I am so thankful my son called.....we received a call later that afternoon from his unit telling us there had been enemy conflict, eight soldiers were wounded and one KIA......I gulp KIA??? Killed in Action? Yes ma'am. Your son was one of the wounded, but is back to work. Wounded, how? I am sorry ma'am I do not have that information. We will have a meeting tomorrow night at the Amory and should have more details at that time......oh my God, please keep my son safe. My mind races, what Mother, wife, child, father lost their son....please God give them comfort. What happened? The reality really hits home, too close to home. Scared, sick, thankful, scared, scared,the emotions are so great.

The meeting....ahhhhh we learn that some Afgani, stole a uniform and strapped several bombs on himself and came walking up to the soldiers who are there to train them....a suicide bomber. How? Why? Who can do this? A soldier died, a father, a son...21 yrs old a mere babe. My son kept saying he was such a good man, a kind man, a friend. This part of the tribute my son posted on his face book page:

19APR2010 A daughter lost her father, a veteran lost his son, a mother lost her son, our squad lost a friend, and the 1st-101st lost a hero!! You are loved and missed by us all. And we know that bright light that your soul brought to us will help guide us through the dark. 19APR2010 GOD CALLED HOME AN ANGEL!!!WE WILL NEVER FORGET. R.I.P. SGT ROBERT BARRETT.

I have cried my eyes out and only wish I could give my son more comfort or the man's family some peace.
Now this is why I am writing this.....on Sunday the Nat'l Guard was doing a blood drive and they were standing at every corner in town to raise money for wounded soldiers. My husband and I stop and made a donation...they came right up to the car, no time or effort involved for us. We took a minute to Thank the men for their service and tell them we were proud. Now do you know how many cars whisked by, no stop, no ask, look away...pretend you don't see soldiers on the corners. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE????? Men are risking and giving their lives every day so that we can live in freedom! What is wrong? How can they just ignore what is going on. I am sensitive right now I cry at the drop of a hat.
Six Hundred soldiers left New England in January. DO you know how many families are suffering, missing loved ones, praying for their safety? All so you can whisk by on a Sunday morning, maybe go to church or breakfast, with out a care in the world.
I know the warm kind thoughtful people out there in Blog land, but what is wrong that people can be so thoughtless, so untouched? We live in a great country with freedom. I think more people need to stop and appreciate what we have here. They need to appreciate the proud strong men and women who defend their FREEDOM!!!

Saying Goodbye....

It is with mixed emotions that I share with you what I did on Sunday....with storm warnings up and down the east coast we gathered our family and drove to Boston, TD Bank Garden, home of the Bruins and Celtics.

My family and the families of 650 soldiers.

The overhead was showing pictures of training and other missions. Not to mention the images of Old Glory.

What an impressive group. These are soldiers defending our country and all the rights we all have. My son is part of the 101 st Field Artillery Battalion. It is the oldest field artillery regiment in the United States Army dating back to Dec. 13, 1636 when it was organized as the South Regiment by Massachusetts General Court.

My son served in Iraq and has been home for 18 months only to head to Afghanistan for a year. He also went to Somalia as a Marine. See the mixed emotions, pride and great sadness.

This is our son and his daughter, my sad sack, she knows how long a year is! My daughter and her two sons and daughter. My family. The people who hold my heart. I know my son is doing something he believes in and loves, but damn, I hate to see him go.

Ben and Kaylee

I am so proud of our son. What Mom would not be proud of her handsome, brave son?

I know God will keep him safe and bring him back to us....and I have always believed in fate.

Now he leaves home on Wednesday, his orders started on Sunday, but we have Monday and Tuesday together...now you see why I wanted to just savor my holiday time this year?

Stay safe my son!