A little perspective tonight....

RuSsMaN · July 2006

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If you want to turn this into a war / no war thread, piss off - stay on topic, or kiss my ****. The following may be too frank for some, if you are thin skinned or looking for a war debate, find another post now.
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Yes, I've had a 'few'. Those that know me, would know I haven't had THAT many (and still be able to type this). Just settling down, my 34th birthday has past. It's almost 2a.m. central standard time. My last 'move' for the night? A double, no make it triple helping of leftover birthday cake, and 20oz glass of 2% to wash it down.

Ok, the girlfriend is asleep (man, I am so in love with her) - I need that late night itch scratched. Yeah yeah yeah, fatty like cake, I know. Slice it once, twice, thrice. BIG plate o' cake. BIG glass o' milk. Sit down in the HT room, grab the remote. First stop - 03 - Discovery Channel. Jesse James, Iraq Confidential. Caught maybe the last ten minutes of it. I didn't finish my cake.

I do however have tears in my eyes. Christ, my biggest dilemma an hour ago, was:

A. Do I drink more Beam and get hella trashed?

-or-

2. Go to bed with my lady, and have romper room birthday sex and forget the killer buzz?

I feel ashamed. How many men and women overseas would dream of such a choice to make right now? Their sacrifice is the ultimate. I don't consider myself a wimpy guy, but I'm not sure it is one I could make. I really can't seem to find the words - when I sat down to share - I had something very prophetic thought out in my head, yet when presented with hand and keyboard - my bag is empty.

What I do know - I am thankful for the men and women that serve, and protect my life, liberty, and pursuit of silly things like speakers, blondes, and bourbon. They do it SO **** well, I might forget about it from time to time.

I'm going to work on being a better citizen, a better patriot.

I love my country. I pray and fear for our future, and those fighting every day for it. I am thankful to be an American.

Happy Birthday to the colors that never run. To the red, white, and blue. To The United States of America.

Russ Gates
McKinney, Texas
U.S.A.

I-SIG · July 2006

HERE, HERE!

Wes

brettw22 · July 2006

Agreed......

I saw that special too and it's pretty moving when Jesse starts getting all choked up at the end. I kinda wish he would have stuck around the people a bit more than just retreating, but I think they knew he got it.

Shizelbs · July 2006

Nothing wrong with a little truth serum.

Agreed completely. Freedom is a beatiful thing. Something worth fighting for. Endless thanks to those who are defending it.

starchaser · July 2006

For God and Country, Semper Fi.

tonyb · July 2006

Spot on Russ...and....Marry the girl will ya!!!:D

janmike · July 2006

Sounds like you have some very important decisions to make now and in the future. Good luck Russ.

bobman1235 · July 2006

Well said.

opus · July 2006

[QUOTE=RuSsMaN
What I do know - I am thankful for the men and women that serve, and protect my life, liberty, and pursuit of silly things like speakers, blondes, and bourbon. They do it SO **** well, I might forget about it from time to time.

I'm going to work on being a better citizen, a better patriot.

I love my country. I pray and fear for our future, and those fighting every day for it. I am thankful to be an American.

Happy Birthday to the colors that never run. To the red, white, and blue. To The United States of America.

Russ Gates
McKinney, Texas
U.S.A.[/QUOTE]

Well said Russ or better yet thanks for saying it. I wish we heard it more often. Happy Birthday America:)

dkg999 · July 2006

Russ - couldn't of expressed it better, I totally agree! Nothing pisses me off more than those who want to trash this country, without giving those that defend their right to speak freely a huge helping of respect!

I hope the birthday, the cake, and the romper room sex were all good :eek:

Mike682 · July 2006

Russ

Well said. I totally agree with you man. I saw the same episode last night. Those guys sacrifice so much for us. Not just for one week or a few months, but some guys are there for years before they can come back home. Nothing is safe around there and having to keep the mindset that anything can happen anytime can really take its toll on some troops.

I get really ticked off when people decide to trash the troops. I have family serving over there and when people trash their mission, I have to restrain myself from time to time..

As for the episode, it was really good. It was intersesting to know that when fixing a hummer they have to run to the junkyard and salvage parts from blown up hummers or make parts from scratch because they don't have a parts store.

I'm glad Jesse went over there and brought a little home back to those serving

Mike

bert26 · July 2006

I couldn't agree more. Even with all of the partisan bickering, percieved class warfare, and "global warming", this is still the greatest nation to grace the face of the earth. I would never want to live anywhere else.

May God Bless our brave men and women in uniform, here and abroad - and may God Bless America.

Chris

audiobliss · July 2006

God bless those sacrificing daily and braving the dangers the battlefront brings. And may God continue to bless this nation and those living in it, that it would continue to be the grandest country in the world.

danger boy · July 2006

lay off the sauce will ya?

JK!

Your post was from the heart.... very open and honest.. we often times forget what our flag stands for.. freedom.

clifselina · July 2006

starchaser wrote:

For God and Country, Semper Fi.

You and me both.

I walk on a college campus and think, "The country is screwed."

I meet a Marine, who was born after I finished my time in the Corps and I change my mind, "We will be okay in the long run."

Happy 4th. Thank a veteran (except Doggies, Squids and Fyboys!)

heiney9 · July 2006

I for one am in awe and have the utmost respect for those that serve in any branch of the military to protect this great country and our freedom. It's something I don't think I could personally do.

I'll be raising my glass high today to those who have or who are serving in the military to protect this great country and its citizens.

H9

cfrizz · July 2006

Nice one Russ!

Happy Birthday America, Thank you to all past & present Armed Forces Polkies & everyone else for keeping us safe!

Have a good one folks! I'll raise a glass to all of you today!

Cathy

sucks2beme · July 2006

starchaser wrote:

For God and Country, Semper Fi.

+1 to this and Russ's thoughts.
Yeah, and the sailors and flyboys are ok too!

BIZILL · July 2006

goddamnit! now i HAVE to respect you. ****, didn't know we shared the same last name.

god bless all our boys 'n girls overseas.

btw, why make a decision between the two? hopefully you had your cake, ate it and introduced it into your sex world at the same time. hang over this mornin'?