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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Comments and Patriots

I got the following comment today from "Anonymous": "Soldiers are far from Patriots."

I chose to not publish the comment under the Guinea Hen blog post, instead I decided to feature it in a post of its own. I am assuming that the comment was targeted at the picture of my son wearing his Army uniform (located on the side bar) while holding one of his friends daughters.

 I am very proud of him, he volunteered to serve as Combat Infantry and is currently deployed in Afghanistan. He celebrated his 21st birthday last week in extraordinary fashion - he stepped on an IED. An Angel of God must have been watching over him as the pressure plate connecting the detonator to the explosive failed and he is still alive. The whole family is looking forward to seeing him this Summer when he returns home for his mid tour leave.

Readers of this blog will recognize that I refer to my husband as the "Commander". The Commander is a retired Navy pilot and a veteran of the First and Second Iraq Wars, The War on Terror, several engagements in the Korean peninsula and off Israel, the end of the Cold War, and a few other trouble spots that most people no longer remember. The Commander's father and Uncle are Navy Veterans of the Korean War and WWII respectively.  My Grandfather was an Army Medic and served in Italy during WWII.

Today's military is an all volunteer force, much like the first Americans who fought for their freedom against the British under leaders like; General Washington, Ethan Allen, Nathanael Green, Daniel Boone, or John Paul Jones. In their day they were called Patriots, and because of their efforts we have actual freedom of speech guaranteed via the Constitution of the United States. Freedom isn't free, and free speech isn't a universal right. People in Russia, Cuba, Egypt, Venezuela, the EU, and even Canada (Mark Steyn) wish they had the freedoms many take for granted here in the United States.

patriot [pey-tree-uht, -ot or, especially Brit., pa-tree-uht] noun
1. a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion.
2. a person who regards himself or herself as a defender, especially of individual rights, against presumed interference by the federal government.

According to the above definition I consider my son a Patriot, as is my right. The Anonymous commenter obviously disagrees, as is their right. My son, his father, his grandfather and my grandfather have all voluntarily sacrificed to ensure that both Anonymous and I are free to express our differing opinions, and for that I consider them Patriots.

Not all Patriots are hero's, sometimes it is difficult to tell who the real Patriots are.

14 comments:

  1. Well said Chai, I hope you ignore the negative, opinionated people that post negative comments on your blog, glad to see that you deleted it. I hope whoever did leave you that message will find another hobby other than blogging.

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  2. Well spoken. Fortunately the folks that choose to reply anonymously don't have the internal fortitude to stand up for what they believe in. If they don't like being protected, then I would encourage them to immigrate to one of the counties noted in your blog. They might not take freedom for granted!

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  3. Thank you for this post, my husband is a retired Army Sergeant and I was medically separated from the Air Force before I could serve. Thank your son for me when he returns safely home, we will be praying for you and yours. Hooah!

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  4. HEAR Hear!!!!! My husband is retired Army, and I agree with everything you say... though he was Peacetime Army, he spent 24 years ready to go anytime... in defence of people like Anonymous! I'm so glad your son's guardian angel was with him last week, and may he celebrate many more birthdays!

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  5. LOVE this. So true. ((HUGS)) and many blessings for your family and especially your son...tell him Thank YOU! from us...

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  6. You made some very good points and I completely agree with you - a lot of people forget what it's like to be free because they take it all for granted.

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  7. Tombstone - I chose not to ignore their comment but to put it out for everyone to see. Turns out to be a good post for Memorial Day.

    Ian - I was worried that you might not like me including Canada on the list. I was a little disappointed that the comment was Anonymous.

    AHH - Everyone here will say a prayer of thanks when he returns home safe. I think everyone needs to contribute to the country in their own way, it can't be all take.

    Mary Ann - It sure was a Guardian Angel. Your husband could have been called away at any time, its not when one serves but how!

    Stacy - I thought you might like this, hanging around with the Major and all....

    Luckybunny - Many of the sad stories of the people in Russia who thought they were on the side of right ended with them crying out; "If only Lenin (or Stalin) knew!" They knew alright, only too well.

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  8. A distant rolling thunder approaches Operation Homestead. Chai Chai and The Commander come of their home to see what is going on...

    An enormous contingent from The Good Land is approaching, all mounted on extremely loud motorcycles, in dress uniforms, all wearing helmets painted in red, white, and blue. Nibbles the goat, never to be outdone, rides a Fat Bob and has a blue cape with white stars trailing behind her.

    In perfect formation the company comes to a halt in front of the house. The honor guard at front dismounts and a small white duck with blue eyes named Dash rushes to the house, salutes The Commander, and says, “Permission to come aboard, Sir!”

    The Commander, a little dubious, nods his approval.

    OFG strides forward, followed by her personal guard - four enormous dogs, in glistening armor all with the crest of The Good Land. OFG herself is in full battle regalia – battle cloak, full armor, and a ceremonial gold gilded axe at her side. Her standard bearer, a young hen named Ginny, proudly holds aloft the American flag.

    The company approaches The Commander and Chai Chai, OFG snaps a salute, “Commander, Sir!”

    A young attache hurries forward and presents an elaborately folded flag from The Good Land, an image of a fox on a blood red background, to Chai Chai. “For your son when he returns home. We pray the hand of God be on him and we thank him for his bravery.” Said OFG solemnly.

    OFG then removes a metal from her cuirass and presents it to The Commander, saying “We thank you, sir, for your service to this nation. This metal, the emblem of The Good Land, is our highest honor. We cannot pretend to know your sacrifice but we can extend our greatest thanks in the best way we know how.”

    Suddenly OFG turns and her in parade voice that can be heard over the motorcycle engines, commands, “Engage!”

    With precision not readily seen by many the mounted contingent slowly moves forward, crossing and weaving in front of each other until they have formed an enormous circle around Chai Chai's homestead. Some of the company have dismounted, form up by the house and start singing in loud voices “America the beautiful.”

    OFG turns back to Chai Chai and The Commander and explains, “We wouldn't want you to have to hear comments like that again, this should drown out the sound of the whiners and the haters. Enjoy this your Memorial Day weekend.”

    OFG turns with her personal guard, mounts up, and joins the patriot guard as they stand watch over the homestead.

    Nibbles spends the day giving the new baby goats rides on her motorcycle.

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  9. Nancy - Thanks for being there!

    OFG - We counted all the lambs, just in case one of the dogs decided to offer rides as well! America the Beautiful is a wonderful song, unfortunately not everyone living here likes it or understands its meaning. Thanks for the Patriot Guard visit!

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  10. Thank you. We need more people who stand up for their country, who want to make it better, and less lazy idiots who just want to take, take, take, and then complain, complain, complain. My husband retired from the US Navy and I work for the federal government. Thank you especially to your son, I was so scared when you said he stepped on an IED. I've seen those kids at Bethesda, it breaks my heart. Thanks you.

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  11. Lynn - I am surprised at how many former military there are out their on these little homesteads. Maybe they have learned to value their little plot of personal freedom called home.

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  12. Well said...You expressed the feelings many of us have....I am thankful your son is O.K....My grandson and his wife are serving in the Army and I consider them patriots also...

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  13. Forest - Thank you for your kind words. Who knows, my son may cross paths with your grandson and we may never know.

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