Troops serving overseas

barrysweet52

I remember seeing a lot of yellow ribbons when I was in the USA, and seeing threads from a lot of Hudson owners re forces serving overseas, and not being home for Thanksgiving/Xmas. Thought the following email I recd might be of interest. Aussies or Americans, they all deserve our thoughts & prayers.



Subject: Fw: From the Daughter of an Australian Soldier.



Last week I was in Melbourne attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.



Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their uniforms, as they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone I'm not the only red blooded Australian who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families. Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work, and enjoy our home without fear or reprisal.



Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He knelt down and said 'hi,' the little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her.



The young soldier didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.



The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Corporal and had been in Afghanistan for 5 months now.



As the mum was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up. When this temporarily single mum was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking

walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.



After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, 'I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you.' He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a Kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying 'Your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon.'



The mum at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mum.



I was standing no more than 6 feet away as this entire event unfolded. As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including my own.



That young soldier in one last act of moment turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.



We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be an Australian.



RED FRIDAYS



Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Australian's who support our troops used to be called the 'silent

majority'. We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for Country and

home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions. Many Australian's, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of Australia supports our troops.



Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every Australian who supports our men and women afar will wear something red............



The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make



things better for you?' is...'We need your support and your prayers'.



Regards to all, especially those serving, Barry Sweetman

SuperDave

Barry,

I would like to echo your sentiments from here in the USA. It sure sounds like we in the USA have much the same obsticals,beliefs and emotions. Thanks for your tribute to the defenders of all democracys. I'm going to look for some red ribbons....

Dave W (the other Melbourne)

[Deleted User]

I work with active duty folks everyday. Some of our group is currently deployed. It is always difficult to be the observer of a family separated by the dedication of the soldier, marine, sailor or airman who offers themselves to defense of Democracy. It is my hope that Peace will prevail in the hearts of men and women whose ideals are different from those whose lives are blessed with Democracy.



In our unit those of us who are no longer in uniform, wear some type of red garment on Fridays to signify our solidarity with those who have taken up the defense of Democracy around this world.



BTW: I was the only person working yesteday who remebered it was Pearl Harbor Day. Thank a WWII Vet there are very few left. My neighbor is 81 and a WWII Marine vet.



Peace to all

Unknown

Its really nice to see the respect the military people get these days - I still havent forgot the welcome home we got from the college Punks in 71

Browniepetersen

After I retired from the Air Force it was quite a while before I started to show people that I was proud of America and the military people that defend our freedom. I have a pin, given to me by my employer several years ago for veterans day that reads: "I Proudly Served." I placed it on my shirt for Pearl Harbor Day and was supprised by the number of fellow employees who asked me why I was wearing it. To soon we forget, even when we were privledged to serve. I think it is great that the young men and women who volunteer to stand for our freedom are welcomed home with our respect and praise. I've a few red shirts myself and think it a great tribute to save them to show our respect on Fridays. I for one will pass on the message. Thanks for the heart warming story.

Unknown

Thanks, Barrysweet, for sharing that with us. I always wondered how patriotic people of other nations were compared to ours. Sounds like Australia and America have very much in common... including that our respective supposed "freedoms of the press" seem to have been hijacked by the extreme left.