GOT THE CALL

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Our daughter called this morning and told us that our son-in-law who is a policeman and in the Marine Corp Reserve got a call from the Marine Corp last night at 10:00 to get his affairs in order and be ready. He has been in the police dept for quite a long time also in the swat and was scheduled to go to two weeks training in motorcyles, they are not quite sure what is going to happen from here on. I guess we all wonder.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Dear Jackie,
I know how you are feeling. Our son is a Corporal in the marines stationed at Camp Pendleton and they flew out this morning for the middle east. He was able to get a call into us yesterday but we won't be able to have any more corespondance for some time. They have taken off all outside insignia from their uniforms so the enemy won't be able to identify leaders. He says he is ready to go to protect our freedoms. He will be giving us an email that he may be able to check from time to time depending on what goes down.

I am filled with such sadness. He is 25 and has been trained for this purpose but ..... Where is the little boy I carried? When did he get to be so big? Wasn't it yesterday I rocked him in his bed? When did he get to be so brave????

Lord be with them all and God bless America!!

[karen israel]

I have the upmost respect, love, admiration for any of our citizens in uniform, military or civilan. To do something so dangerous that you feel it's your duty to do, knowing you are saving the lives of strangers is the utmost in bravery and compassion. It makes me cry that they may give their lives for ME so I can live in the splendor of democracy
I hope and pray that God protects them and watches over them but most of all that they come home safe and sound! Bless them. And please let them know I'll be thinking of them constantly.

[Stenograsaurus]

Such a sad time. I'm sure everyone who has family members who already have or will be receiving that call are filled with mixed emotions, mainly fear and pride. I pray for all those who are willing to put their life on the line for this Country, for Freedom and for me. God Bless you all!!!!

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Spencer he just got back from his monthly training at Pendleton. I don't think they know when or where yet. They are in their thirties with no children just two Schnoozers. Lorie called to say he gave her power of attorney and what else should they do.
Dixie I know how worried you must be, we have a Grandson who will turn 18 in May and we are quite worried about where this is all going. We still see them as our babies even though they are all grown up. My thoughts will be with you and your son for a safe return.
Don was in during Korea and Vietnam and said he would go in a minute right now, I said I don't think they will take 71 year olds just now but I'm sure everyone appreciates the thought.

[thelmalu99]

I second everything that K9Karen wrote.
I have a co-worker whose husband is a Police Officer and another whose husband is a Firefighter. Both are working hard downtown at the site of the attack.
The one who is a firefighter was on leave because of an injury when this all happened, but as soon as he heard, he went right back to work.
Jackie and Dixieland Dancer, may God bless your family members as they go out and bravely defend our country, and may He bring them home safely to you.

[gini]

Oh my, all of these stories make me so sad.

I will keep your loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.

Please keep all of us posted, we can offer support and love to each other in these difficult times.

Gini

[tatsxxx11]

Dear Jackie, you, your daughter and son in law, and your entire family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I second everything that Karen says. Bless these brave men and women who will be putting their lives on the line so that all of us can live free. They are heroes in every sense of the word. Please keep us updated Jackie. And love to all of yours. Sandra

[wolflady]

I too...second..uh third what K9Karen said. These men and women truly are heros, risking their lives for us...for our freedom, standing for everything that America is all about. My thoughts and prayers are with all these families. Good will conquer evil, and America will stand proud!!

I received this cute story from a friend of mine today, and thought it was well written so I'm going to share it with you guys...

Rob Suggs is a children's author and illustrator. He works a lot with the children at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. He is able to "lighten their load" through his art and story telling therapy. This is what he has written to further explain the situation we are in to the children he is working with in the hospitals...adapted from a classic story...It merits sending to you to read. I guess you have to read it with "your child eyes."

The Binch

By: Rob Suggs
September 13, 2001

Every U down in U-ville liked U.S. a lot,
But the Binch, who lived Far East of U-ville, did not.
The Binch hated U.S.! the whole U.S. way!
Now don't ask me why, for nobody can say.
It could be his turban was screwed on too tight.
Or the sun from the desert had beaten too bright.
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.

But, whatever the reason, his heart or his turban,
He stood facing U-ville, the part that was urban.
"They're doing their business," he snarled from his perch.
"They're raising their families! They're going to church!
They're leading the world, and their empire is thriving,
I MUST keep the S's and U's from surviving!"

Tomorrow, he knew, all the U's and the S's,
Would put on their pants and their shirts and their dresses.
They'd go to their offices, playgrounds and schools,
And abide by their U and S values and rules,

And then they'd do something he liked least of all,
Every U down in U-ville, the tall and the small,
Would stand all united, each U and each S,
And they'd sing U-ville's anthem, "God bless us! God bless!"
All around their Twin Towers of U-ville they'd stand,
and their voices would drown every sound in the land.

"I must stop that singing," Binch said with a smirk,
And he had an idea--an idea that might work!
The Binch stole some U airplanes in U morning hours,
And crashed them right into the U-ville Twin Towers.
"They'll wake to disaster!" he snickered, so sour,
"And how can they sing when they can't find an tower?"

The Binch cocked his ear as they woke from their sleeping,
All set to enjoy their U-wailing and weeping,
Instead he heard something that started quite low,
And it built up quite slow, but it started to grow--
And the Binch heard the most unpredictable thing...
And he couldn't believe it--they started to sing!

He stared down at U-ville, not trusting his eyes,
What he saw was a shocking, disgusting surprise!
Every U down in U-ville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any towers at all!
He HADN'T stopped U-ville from singing! It sung!
For down deep in the hearts of the old and the young,
Those Twin Towers were standing, called Hope and called Pride,
And you can't smash the towers we hold deep inside.

So we circle the sites where our heroes did fall,
With a hand in each hand of the tall and the small,
And we mourn for our losses while knowing we'll cope,
For we still have inside that U-Pride and U-Hope.

For America means a bit more than tall towers,
It means more than wealth or political powers,
It's more than our enemies could ever guess,
So may God bless America! Bless us! God bless!

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Oh I love it, it's wonderful it should be circulated to everybody. If I can figure out how, I'm going to send it to everybody I know. Thanks so much
Jackie

[4 feline house]

My dad was in the service during Viet Nam. In fact, he spent quite a bit of time in Southeast Asia, training the pilots of all the allied countries in Southeast Asia (Laos, Camodia, etc.) Many of my school friends' dads were killed or disappeared. One of my parents' best friend's plane was shot down over Cambodia and 31 years later has still never been found.

But I was too young to understand enough to be afraid.

My brother was in the Army and was in Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and Bosnia.

But he was a journalist and never saw direct combat.

My son will turn 17 in about six weeks. Even though he is not even 18, and as of yet we still have no draft, I am still ill-at-ease, because I know if war should erupt, it will either have occurred or be emminent by the time he is 18. And I know the draft can be reinstated at a moment's notice - which is the reason why 18 year olds are still required to register for the Selective Service.

He is my only child, my only son, and my only family.

I keep telling myself that war is different now, that fewer men are used as our weapons become more sophisticated.

My prayers are with all of you who have active duty or reserve personnel in your family.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Feline House, this is a very uncertain time, I know we are all uneasy, as you say the draft could come at any time should they need them. I would hope it doesn't come to that. I think with the sophisticated equipment they will need people who are highly trained. Don was a crewmember in a HS Squadron in VietNam based on a Aircraft Carrier. I know how you feel having a son who is getting close to that age, lets all pray and think positive that this will be over quickly and all return safe and sound.

[Daisy's Mom]

What a great story! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. And I fourth what K9Karen said God bless those of you who are trying to put an end to terrorism, and your families too!

[3-greys-and-a-mutt]

We are waiting to hear about either or both of my brothers-in-law to 'get the call.' They are both Guardsmen, as is my father-in-law, who probably wouldn't get called up because of the position he is in. But 2 of my brothers-in-law are fair game.
I have mixed feelings about this: I want the terrorists elminated, but I fear for all our soldiers. My poor mother-in-law has already lost one of her 5 sons, and now she is so worried about 2 more of them.
This is an awful period of time that we have now entered, where we will constantly be on edge about what will happen next.

[thelmalu99]

Thank you for that story! I have forwarded it to everyone I know.