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<p>LOL- see bill, shoulda taken that bet…knew you wouldn’t be able to resist rejoining the postings sooner or later!!! Anyway, it’s “navy2010,” and it’s a “she” … ;)</p>
<p>wow- guess those lax games have kept me busier than I thought! </p>
<p>Way to cautious to enter into this arguement, so will post only to say that I hope nightfall finds all our men-and-women-in-arms alive and well, and as safe as they can be. Don’t quite care if they are fighting on land or sea or air or underwater or whatever sandy terrain they find themselves on… but sure am grateful, from the bottom of my soul, that they are out there for all of us. God keep them safe.</p>
<p>I read these posts…alarmed at some, horrified at others, saddened by a few, and enlightened by many…and while I would like to think I would be strong enough to stand for the principles I hold near and dear to my heart, my greatest fear is that I would lack the courage and fail miserably in the attempt. I can neither praise, nor fault the actions of those facing imminent harm- what I can do is pray that God grants them the courage to do what they must. I will be grateful for their willingness to climb into the arena in the first place, and I will hold my criticisms to that.</p>
<p>Dadvet- I can hear your pain over the loss of your son; no doubt it is as real to you today as it was 15 years ago. I can’t imagine the pain, and I dread the day…I pray I never get there. That you are willing to risk it all again with your daughter is something beyond my comprehension- but to her, and you, God speed.</p>
<p>USNA69 and Z and the rest of “those that served”… thanks… to a parent who never even thought about the military, except for the worry about what draft number her fiance would pull, I can only gain a glimmer of appreciation for what you have been through, what you may still bear as a result… I pray those that come out the other end of this process live to tell their tale as well, and just as passionately, so the rest of us can be educated.</p>
<p>I hate war. I hate the fact that my son has chosen the miltary, even if it is NAVY… thank God it is NAVY… but as much as I hate it, I am behind him all the way. I have this vision that each will watch out for the back of their brother-in-arms, that respect will govern, and that they will get out the other end intact…physically, mentally and morally. I don’t know if that is possible, but it is something I pray for.</p>
<p>My last prayers are for those who even consider to walk this path… you are braver souls than I could ever be… and I applaud you. God keep you safe. </p>
<p>The final prayer is for our politicians…the good, the bad and the ugly… that they think before they act, that they don’t put our kids in harms way unnecessarily and without cause, and they lead ethically and morally. I think I might have to up the prayer anti for this last group.</p>
<p>and tonight I will add a prayer for my fellow cc posters… sounds like we all could use one.</p>