Nevertheless, that did not stop the girls from escorting military members and emergency responders twice their height around the field seven times — one for each year that has passed since the United States was attacked.

Ansted area Girl Scouts in Daisy, Brownie and Junior troops participated in the National Freedom Walk Saturday afternoon. According to the U.S. Defense Department’s “America Supports You” Web site, the walk is a nationwide program that began after Defense employees wanted to honor Pentagon attack victims and their families. Employees then organized a walk from the Pentagon to the National Mall.

Saturday’s walk in Ansted honored Sept. 11 victims, members of the military and those working in all emergency services, according to Deanna Gill, leader of all three Girl Scout groups.

Gill said the event took place after her 9-year-old daughter Fairan wanted to do it. Three of their family members serve in the Air and Army National Guards. Gill’s 25-year-old cousin, Staff Sgt. Pete Campbell of the 2/19th Special Forces Army National Guard unit based in Kenova, will deploy to Afghanistan next Friday. Campbell is a Hico resident who attended the event.

Such events let children know police officers, firefighters, emergency medical service workers and soldiers are their friends, Gill said.

"I Support the Troops, but I Don’t Support the War." I hear this statement often, it’s usually after I tell someone that I come from a military family and my husband is serving overseas.

I know there is a lot of emotion surrounding our presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, it has proven to divide us pretty harshly here in the US and abroad. I’m not asking that you reconsider your position on the war: for, against or neutral. What I am asking is that you support the troops, the very ones defending your right to an opinion.

They are enduring more hardships in one tour than many of us will ever experience in our lifetime. Their families sacrifice every birthday, holiday and celebration without them. The families do not sleep during an entire deployment and are on edge every time the phone rings or there is an unfamiliar car in their driveway. Please take this into consideration when you meet a military family or greet a military member.

If you would like to say "Thank You" to any of our local men and women, sign up to be a part of their welcome home. Shake their hand, give them a hug or just wave an American flag.

Pride is contagious; courage is, too.

With humble beginnings in its founder’s garage, the group focuses on sending care packages of food, as well as comfort and entertainment items, to troops serving overseas. Since its inception in November 2004, the organization has grown tremendously, David Whitten, Packages From Home’s marketing director said.

“I never realized that I’d be standing here today in front of a center that’s 3,500 square feet and sends 2,500 care packages a month,” he told the group of about 50 gathered for the ceremony. “This is all from a mother’s labor of love.”

Kathleen Lewis founded Packages From Home while her son, Army Sgt. John Christian Lewis, was serving in Iraq. She began by shipping 25 to 30 packages. As the number of donations and, consequently, packages grew, so did the need to find a home more permanent than volunteers’ garages.

The search led them to Phoenix Memorial Hospital, which has provided the group a facility with a one-year lease. “Lease,” however, is a relative term since the group is incurring no cost for the use of the building, Whitten said. Renewing the lease for a second year, and perhaps longer, also is possible.

“I see us here for a long time,” Whitten said.

That’s a good thing for the group that now has space to sort and pack all its donations in the same building, Lewis said. She added that it’s also good for those who work with Packages From Home. “It is good for your heart,” she said. “It’s good for your soul, and ultimately, it’s very good for the United States of America.”

Retired Army Lt. Col. Dawn Lake vouched for the fact that Packages From Home is a good thing for servicemembers as well.

“I was one of the lucky ones. There were lots of people who served there who did not have family,” she said. “So when you do send a package, it’s very possible that someone’s getting a package who perhaps never got one, and if it were not for you, they would not get one.”

Lake was a beneficiary of Packages’ efforts while she served in Afghanistan, and though she had a sizeable support system back home, she still appreciated getting those packages. That included the packages of “girly things,” which she said she never had time to use. She did, however, find they had a significant value in other ways.

“In this box was a pair of pink flip-flops with purple plastic flowers on them, and they were quite ‘not military’ to put it mildly,” she said, chuckling about the reaction she surely would have gotten from her male counterparts had she worn them to the shower tent.

“What occurred to me when I looked at those and this whole package of really lovely things was that I could give them to the women of Afghanistan,” Lake said. “To see the look on the faces of the women, the children and the parents of those children in the villages that we went out to … you talk about winning the hearts and minds.”

Army Sgt. Arthur Walker agreed that getting a delivery from Packages From Home meant a lot, and the packages that included something for the local children were extra special.

“Just being able to give out candy and stuff to kids, we always felt that kept our area a little bit safer,” Walker said. “On behalf of all the soldiers over there, I want to say thank you.”

Roxie Merritt, a retired Navy captain who now works for Public Affairs in the Pentagon, also offered the group praise on behalf of the America Supports You program.

“Everything you’re doing is so important to our troops,” she said. “You are supporting the finest military men and women in the history of this nation.”

The ceremony started with the presentation of the colors by a Marine Corps color guard and Jordan Leigh’s performance of her musical tribute to the troops, “Soldier I Thank You.” It concluded with guests breaking in the new facility by filling care packages for the troops.

“It’s the most exhausting, but most rewarding, job I’ve ever had,” Peg Gildersleeve, a Packages From Home regular volunteer, said as she instructed new packers on how to fill every bit of space in a care package.

Born on June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress determined that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternating between seven red and six white; and that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation.

Between 1777 and 1960, the shape and design of the flag evolved into the flag presented before you today. The 13 horizontal stripes represent the original 13 colonies, while the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well; red symbolizes hardiness and valor; white signifies purity and innocence; and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.

Traditionally, a symbol of liberty, the American flag has carried the message of freedom, and inspired Americans, both at home and abroad.

In 1814, Francis Scott Key was so moved at seeing the Stars and Stripes waving after the British shelling of Baltimore’s Fort McHenry that he wrote the words to The Star Spangled Banner.

In 1892 the flag inspired Francis Bellamy to write the "Pledge of Allegiance," our most famous flag salute and patriotic oath.

In July 1969 the American flag was "flown" in space when Neil Armstrong planted it on the surface of the moon.

Today, our flag flies on constellations of Air Force satellites that circle our globe, and on the fin flash of our aircraft in harms way in every corner of the world. Indeed, it flies in the heart of every Airman who serves our great Nation. The sun never sets on our US Air Force, nor on the flag we so proudly cherish.

Since 1776 no generation of Americans has been spared the responsibility of defending freedom… Today’s Airmen remain committed to preserving the freedom that others won for us, for generations to come.

By displaying the flag and giving it a distinctive fold we show respect to the flag, and express our gratitude to those individuals who fought, and continue to fight for freedom, at home and abroad. Since the dawn of the 20th century, Airmen have proudly flown the flag in every major conflict on lands and skies around the world. It is their responsibility … our responsibility … to continue to protect and preserve the rights, privileges and freedoms that we, as Americans, enjoy today.

Columbia, S.C., is one of four sites nationwide where national cemeteries are being built and the land for the 585-acre facility was donated by Fort Jackson

"(The) VA is keeping its promise to our nation’s veterans by building this new shrine, said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "The Columbia area deserves a magnificent, lasting tribute to the service of its military veterans."

Construction began earlier this month, according to the cemetery’s director, Gene Linxwiler. He expects the first burials to take place beginning in November. VA officials are planning an official dedication ceremony this fall, but the exact date has not yet been selected.

Construction will take place in several phases, and the first has two parts (Phase 1A and 1B). Phase 1A, currently under construction, will consist of 1,400 full-casket graves and 1,100 in-ground sites for cremated remains. The cost for Phase 1A is $2.53 million. The VA has budgeted about $19 million for the entire site.

In mid-2009, work is scheduled to begin on the 68 acres of Phase 1B.

When completed, the first two phases will have room for 5,000 full gravesites, 4,200 pre-placed crypts, 5,000 in-ground cremation sites and 2,000 indoor cremation burial sites.

An administration and public information facility, maintenance facility, two committal shelters for interment ceremonies, a flag/assembly area, and supporting infrastructure, including utilities and irrigation, will also be included.

A complete list of who is eligible for burial in a national cemetery can be found on the burial and memorials page of the VA Web site at
www.cem.va.gov.

For more information about the Fort Jackson National Cemetery, call the cemetery staff at (866) 577-5248.

To make burial arrangements, call the national scheduling office at (800) 535-1117.

This is a tribute to all those who died in 9/11 and in the war since then.

God bless and keep all those who have gone before us!

Thanks to John C. and Dave who forwarded this from one of their old classmates:

Gentlemen,

I am an Australian and my son is an Australian – as far as we are concerned there is no place on God’s earth better than Australia , and there are no people better than Australians. That was until the past week or so.

My son is in the Australian Army and he is currently on deployment in Iraq. I can not go into his duties in great depth, but shall we say that he and his fellow army buddies are on a glorified guard duty looking after the Australian Embassy. They don’t go out looking for "action", though it is a different story in Afghanistan, there the Aussie troops chase the baddies over the hills and into
the valleys.

My son and I just ended a long ‘phone conversation and here are some of his comments, believe me this is what he said. We have all seen the bs emails written by some clown in his lounge room pretending to be at the coal face, but this is what was said:

"Before I came over here I thought we (the Australian Army) were pretty shit hot. Was I ever wrong!. The Yanks (I hope you don’t mind me using that word) are so professional from the top to the bottom that it is almost embarrassing to be in their company, and to call yourself a soldier. Don’t get me wrong, we are good at what we do but the Yanks are so much better. They are complete at what they
do, how they do it and their attitude is awesome. They don’t complain they just get on with the job and they do it right.

I carry a Minimi (SAW) so I am not real worried about a confrontation but I tell you I feel safer just knowing that the US Army is close by.

If we got into trouble I know that our boys would come running and we could deal with it but they would probably be passed by a load of Hummers. No questions asked, no glory sought, the Americans would just fight with us and for us because that is their nature, to protect
those in need of protection.

We use the American Mess so you could say that we are fed by the Americans. They have every right to be pissed at that but they don’t bitch about that they just make us feel as welcome as possible. What gets to me is that the Yanks don’t walk around with a "we are better than you attitude" and they could because they are, they treat us as equals and as brothers in arms. If nothing else, coming here has taught me that the Americans are a truly great Nation and a truly great bunch of people.

Let’s face it they don’t HAVE to be here, they could stay in America and beat the shit out of anyone who threatened them, BUT THEY ARE HERE because they believe they should be here, and the Iraqis would be screwed if they weren’t here. 
When I come home, you and I we are going to the US, we will buy some bikes and we are going riding…"

The reason why I am sharing this with you is because I realize that you (as a nation) must get pretty pissed with all the criticism you receive by the so-called "know it alls" who are sitting at home – safe. The reality is that they are safe, just as I am, because of America. If the world went arse up tomorrow there is f**k all we ( Australia ) could do about it, but I know that the Americans would be there putting themselves on the line for others. That to me is the sign of greatness.

The most precious thing in my life is my son, I look at him and I thank God that I am fortunate enough to be able to spend time in his company. We laugh, we discuss, we argue, we dummy spit, we have the same blood. I am not happy that he is where he is but that is his duty. He joined the Army to protect and to defend, not to play games. I mightn’t like it but I accept it. My
reasons for not liking it are selfish and self centered.

I felt assured that he would be safe because he is in a well trained army with an excellent record, BUT NOW, I feel a whole lot better knowing that he is with your sons, daughters, brothers and sisters.

Whilst he was growing up. I was always there to look after him, I would not let harm befall him and I would always put myself before him to protect him. I can’t do that now. When it comes to looking after him now he and his mates will do the job, but also THANK GOD FOR AMERICA.

Gentlemen, I have rambled on for too long. but as I finish I say to you, as a foreigner and outsider, a nation is only a collection of its people and its attitude is the attitude of its people, collectively and as individuals. I am really glad you are here on this Earth and I respect you as a nation and as people.

Stand up and feel proud because you deserve it, there is no one else who will do what America does without question.. The next time someone howls you down, take some comfort in the fact that America is defending their right to act like an idiot.

Finally, thank you for looking after my son,

I was sitting alone in one of those loud, casual steak houses that you find all over the country. You know the type–a bucket of peanuts on every table, shells littering the floor, and a bunch of perky college kids racing around with long neck beers and sizzling platters.

Taking a sip of my iced tea, I studied the crowd over the rim of my glass. My gaze lingered on a group enjoying their meal. They wore no uniform to identify their branch of service, but they were definitely ‘military:’ clean shaven, cropped haircut, and that ‘squared away’ look that comes with pride.

Smiling sadly, I glanced across my table to the empty seat where my husband usually sat. It had only been a few months since we sat in this very booth, talking about his upcoming deployment to the Middle East That was when he made me promise to get a sitter for the kids, come back to this restaurant once a month and treat myself to a nice steak. In turn he would treasure the thought of me being here, thinking about him until
he returned home.

I fingered the little flag pin I constantly wear and wondered where he was at this very moment. Was he safe and warm? Was his cold any better? Were my letters getting through to him?

As I pondered these thoughts, high pitched female voices from the next booth broke into my thoughts. ‘I don’t know what Bush is thinking about. Invading Iraq. You’d think that man would learn from his old man’s mistakes. Good Lord. What an idiot! I can’t believe he is even in office. You do know, he stole the election.’

I cut into my steak and tried to ignore them as they began an endless tirade running down our president.

I thought about the last night I spent with my husband, as he prepared to deploy. He had just returned from getting his smallpox and anthrax shots. The image of him standing in our kitchen packing his gas mask still gives me chills.

Once again the women’s voices invaded my thoughts.

‘It’s all about oil, you know. Our soldiers will go in and rape and steal all the oil they can in the name of ‘freedom’. Hmmm! I wonder how many innocent people they’ll kill without giving it a thought. It’s pure greed, you know.’

My chest tightened as I stared at my wedding ring. I could still see how handsome my husband looked in his ‘mess dress’ the day he slipped it on my finger I wondered what he was wearing now. Probably his desert uniform, affectionately dubbed ‘coffee stains’ with a heavy bulletproof vest over it.

‘You know, we should just leave that place alone. I don’t think they are hiding any weapons. In fact, I bet it’s all a big act just to increase the president’s popularity. That’s all it is, padding the military budget at the expense of our social security and education. And, you know what else? We’re just asking for another 9-11. I can’t say when it happens again that we didn’t deserve it.’

Their words brought to mind the war protesters I had watched gathering outside our base. Did no one even appreciate the sacrifice of brave men and women, who leave their homes and family to ensure our freedom? Do they even know what ‘freedom’ is?

I glanced at the table where the young men were sitting, and saw their courageous faces change. They had stopped eating and looked at each other dejectedly, listening to the women talking.

‘Well, I, for one, think it’s just deplorable to invade Iraq, and I am certainly sick of our tax dollars going to train professional baby-killers we call a military.’

Professional baby-killers. I thought about what a wonderful father my husband is, and of how long it would be before he would see our children again.

That’s it! Indignation rose up inside me. Normally reserved, pride in my husband gave me a brassy boldness I never realized I had. Tonight one voice will answer on behalf of our military, and let her pride in our troops be known.

Sliding out of my booth, I walked around to the adjoining booth and placed my hands flat on their table. Lowering myself to eye level with them, smiling I said, ‘I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation. You see, I’m sitting here trying to enjoy my dinner alone. And, do you know why? Because my husband, whom I love with all my heart, is halfway around the world defending your right to say rotten things about him.’

‘Yes, you have the right to your opinion, and what you think is none of my business. However, what you say in public is something else, and I will not sit by and listen to you ridicule MY country, MY president, MY husband, and all the other fine American men and women who put their lives on the line, just so you can have the ‘freedom’ to complain. Freedom is an expensive commodity, ladies. Don’t let your actions cheapen it.’

I must have been louder than I meant to be, because the manager came over to inquire if everything was all right.

‘Yes, thank you,’ I replied.

Then, turning back to the women, I said, ‘Enjoy the rest of your meal.’

As I returned to my booth applause broke out. I was embarrassed for making a scene, and went back to my half eaten steak. The women picked up their check and scurried away.

After finishing my meal, and while waiting for my check, the manager returned with a huge apple cobbler ala mode. ‘Compliments of those soldiers,’ he said He also smiled and said the ladies tried to pay for my dinner, but that another couple had beaten them to it.

When I asked who, the manager said they had already left, but that the gentleman was a veteran, and wanted to take care of the wife of ‘one of our boys.’

With a lump in my throat, I gratefully turned to the soldiers and thanked them for the cobbler. Grinning from ear to ear, they came over and surrounded the booth.

‘We just wanted to thank you, ma’am. You know we can’t get into confrontations with civilians, so we appreciate what you did.’

As I drove home, for the first time since my husband’s deployment, I didn’t feel quite so alone. My heart was filled with the warmth of the other diners who stopped by my table, to relate how they, too, were proud of my husband, and would keep him in their prayers.

I knew their flags would fly a little higher the next day. Perhaps they would look for more tangible ways to show their pride in our country, and the military that protect her. And maybe, just maybe, the two women who were railing against our country would pause for a minute to appreciate all the freedom America offers, and the price it pays to maintain its freedom.

As for me, I have learned that one voice CAN make a difference.

Maybe the next time protesters gather outside the gates of the base where I live, I will proudly stand on the opposite side with a sign of my own. It will simply say, ‘Thank You!’

To those who fought for our nation, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Please pray for God’s protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for their commanders.

‘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. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.’

Of all the gifts you could give to anyone in the US Military, be it Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines or National Guard, prayer is the very best one….Amen.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

This story was received through an email recently.  It is a story about the people who make our freedom possible.