Thoughts
to Contemplate
"Great
nations which fail to meet their responsibilities are consigned to the dustbins
of history.
We
grew from that small weak republic which had as its assets, spirit, optimism,
faith in God
and
an unshakable belief that free men and women could govern themselves wisely.
We
became a leader of the free world, and example for all those who cherish
freedom.
If
we are to continue to be that example, if we are to preserve our own freedom, we
must
shoulder
our burden with our eyes fixed on the future, but recognizing the realities of
today,
not
counting on mere hopes or wishes.
We must be willing to carry out our responsibility
as
the custodian of individual freedom.
Then we will achieve our destiny
as
a shiny city on a hill for all mankind to see."
Ronald Reagan
Some
Somber Holiday Thoughts
By
Ed "Honored Warrior" Kostiuk
Tomorrow
and in many parts of the world right now, we will celebrate Thanksgiving.
Many of you will be with friends or family and laugh, drink and be merry.
Thanksgiving means the "real kickoff" of the holiday season to many of us.
We look forward to Christmas and the New Year.
But
just once tomorrow, I want each of you to stop and think about our soldiers
serving overseas, many living off the land and fighting for "our cause. " It
would be nice to tell you that they will be fed a real meal tomorrow, but that
is not the case.
No matter folks how "elite" we become, many of those years I sat down
to a turkey MRE (freeze-dried dinner) and took just enough time to eat it down
then off to the real situation at hand.
In some cases and, as I had done a many a time, you never even get a
chance to eat…"That's tomorrow when I have time," right now suck down
some H20
and move on to the next objective….
So
tomorrow I ask each of you just once to stop pray for these men and women and
ask God to bring them home safe and sound to their families.
This
is the real world, the world we envision would be to have all of us set down at
a dinner table with family and friends and enjoy the upcoming holidays…but the
real world is a dirt mound going through a MRE container getting rid of or
trading with a buddy the stuff you like and don't like, checking your weapon
and making sure its cleaned (before you eat or do anything), shaving (we have to
shave or our gas masks will not get a seal on them) and then taking the time to
eat before you doze off and get an hour or two of combat sleep…and while
you're dozing and dreaming you hear the radio crackle and it's your best
friend screaming they are in a firefight and need back up…you race to his
location and forget all about the day, mom and that apple pie you smelled in
your dream.
Are
we blessed in America? God, you better believe it!
I
want to thank Chris V. for giving me the Indian name "Honored Warrior"; it
means a lot to me this year, Chris, and you will forever be my brother as we
strive to protect our environment in this great land….
To
Lt. Colonel "Ollie," my best friend, keep our unit fighting; I know you will
not get this message until you get back on ship, but bro I'm thinking of you
and praying for your safety and all those Marines in the 13th MEU…and now
total strangers whom you have never met will also pray for you….
And
now for one special prayer for that little 10-year-old girl who gave me the
Angel in NYC so I would be protected while I searched for her dad who had
died…God will bless you, little one; there is in no doubt in my heart….
"Let
every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any
price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe,
to
assure the survival and success of liberty."
John F. Kennedy
Club and General News Commentary 12 Hours of Snow Summit 24 Hours of Sweat
The 2001 Leadville 100 Somber Holiday Thoughts
GT - The End Of An Era And The Silverado Mines Hike Closing Thoughts
