Happy 21st Birthday to Benjamin!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Benjamin is still in Albany at school for a couple of more weeks. I can't wait for him to come home so we can celebrate this milestone birthday!

We miss you and love you, Ben!!

Bucky earns EIB and promotion!

I received this email from Bucky (stationed in Korea):

this is a picture of me at one of the 35 stations for the expert infantry badge at camp casey. The week after this i did end up getting my EIB. i am recovering a claymore mine. this picture was taken and put in the stars and stripes news paper. talk to you all soon. keep in touch. EIB baby!!!!!i also get promoted next month... move out and draw fire!!

The Greater Power

Something to Think About

The Military
The average age of the military man is 19.

He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy.

Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country.
He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howizzitor. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.

Letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.
He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.

He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all.

He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat, and is unashamed. He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful. Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather; he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy.

He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood. We even have woman over there in danger, doing their part in going to War when our nation calls us.

As you go to bed tonight, remember this...A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen."

When you read this, please stop for a moment and say a prayerfor our ground troops in Afghanistan, sailors on ships, airmen in the air, and for those in Iraq. Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Marine or Airman, prayer is the very best one.

March 26 - National Support the Troops Day!

Pasadena, CA, March 21, 2006 (Open Release) – The Soldiers’ Angels salute Michigan teenager, Alexandra McGregor, Michigan State Representative Robert Knollenberg and Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow for the recent passage of legislation in both the US Congress and US Senate to establish a National Support The Troops Day. This is intended for recognition of our active duty troops and the first date is set for March 26, 2006.

In a statement from the website of Representative Knollenberg, the Congressman encourages the following: “Our service men and women make enormous sacrifices to keep us safe and to protect our freedoms. They leave their homes and families, work in highly stressful and dangerous conditions, and ensure that all of us here at home are safe and secure. We need to honor these men and women and show them that Americans across the country are appreciative of their work and sacrifice,” Congressman Knollenberg said. … “With this resolution, it is my hope that our troops will know that the American people – from the 16 year girl in Waterford (Alexandra McGregor) to the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives – are grateful for their service. Our country is at war and it is more important than ever to show our appreciation for our brave and dedicated men and women in uniform.”

The legislation states “all Americans should participate in a moment of silence to reflect upon the service and sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces both at home and abroad.”

Soldiers Angels would like to also encourage Americans to take advantage of the National Support The Troops Day to pray for our troops and to find a way to let our troops know that they are appreciated through the sending of letters and care packages or any of the many other ways that our troops need assistance.

For those citizens who do not have time to participate in such projects, but who wish to support the military members stationed far away to guard our freedom, cash donations can be made quickly at the Soldiers’ Angels website and are put to use in the purchase of supplies for our deployed and for wounded soldiers and their families overseas and at home.

For more information, please check the Soldiers’ Angels website at http://www.soldiersangels.org/ Email questions to info@soldiersangels.org or Call (615) 676-0239 Website for Representative Knollenberg: http://www.house.gov/knollenberg/mediacenter/press/2006/3-14-06.htm

Kayla and Solomon!

Jeff and Amanda's 2 cuties...even though they live in SC they still are BILLS fans!!!

We will miss you, Timmy!!

A very dear friend of mine (and my children) has passed away this week. Timothy Horst was only 50 years young...............He will be greatly missed!!!

He was a very unselfish and kind man who would help anyone out! Thank you for being my friend, Tim!