We owe them from the bottom of our hearts. We owe them not only thanks, we owe them the support of this country when they return home.

The average age of the military man is 19 years.
He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who,
under normal circumstances is considered by
society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind
the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old
enough to die for his country. He never really
cared much for work and he would rather wax
his own car than wash his father’s, but he has
never collected unemployment either.

He’s a recent High School graduate; he was probably
an average student , pursued some form of sport
activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a
steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when
he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from
half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop
or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he
was at home because he is working or fighting
from before dawn to well after dusk. He has
trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him,
but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and
reassemble it in less time in the dark.

He can recite
to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade
launcher and use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can
apply first aid like a professional.

He can march until he is told to stop,
or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation,
but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.
He is self-sufficient.

He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears
the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.

He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never
to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend
his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.

If you’re thirsty, he’ll share his water with you; if you
are hungry, his food. He’ll even split his ammunition
with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons
and weapons like they were his hands.

He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay,
and still find ironic humor in it all.

He has seen more suffering and death than he
should have in his short lifetime.

He has wept in public and in private, for friends
who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate
through his body while at rigid attention, while
tempering the burning desire to ’square-away ‘ those
around him who haven’t bothered to stand,
remove their hat, or even stop talking.

In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from
home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-
grandfather, he is paying the price for our
freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy.
He is the American Fighting Man that has
kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except
our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our
re spect and admiration with his blood.

And now we even have women over there in
danger, doing their part in this tradition of going
to War when our nation calls us to do so.

As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot. . .

A short lull, a little shade and a picture of
loved ones in their helmets.

Prayer Wheel

‘Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the selfless acts
they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.’

When you receive this, please stop for a moment
and say a prayer for our troops in
Afghanistan , sailors on ships, and airmen
in the air, and for those in Iraq , Afghanistan
and all foreign countries.

This can be very powerful…

Of all the gifts you could give a U.S. Airman, Soldier,
Coastguardsman, Marine,

or Sailor, prayer is the very best one.

Kids’ Christmas Fundraiser Dinner!

November 7, 2008

6:00 PM

Veterans Day Party!

November 11, 2008

6:00 PM

December 21, 2008

KIds’ Christmas Party

10:00 AM

New Year’s Eve Party

Purchase TICKETS early in the Canteen.

7:30 PM

Spaghetti
Chicken Wings
Salad.

$8.00

Music: 7:30PM

Band: Barbwire

The Meet and Greet for October will be rescheduled for another time.

We’ll see you at the Halloween Party! Also, don’t forget on the 24th is the Spooky Dinner.

Menu:

Denise’s Grandma’s recipe for Cranberry Meatloaf with all the fixin’s
Green Salad
Dessert

$8.00

Music: 7:30PM

Band:  Almost Famous

Generations of Valor - Pearl Harbor survivor Houston James of Dallas embraces Sgt. Mark Graunke Jr.
| Veterans Day 2004 | (AP Photo)

Pearl Harbor survivor Houston James of Dallas is overcome with emotion as he embraces Marine Staff Sgt. Mark Graunke Jr. during the Dallas Veterans Day Commemoration at Dallas City Hall on Thursday. Sgt Graunke, who was a member of a Marine ordnance-disposal team, lost a hand, leg and eye while defusing a bomb in Iraq in July of last year.

Menu:

Chicken with all the fixin’s
Green Salad
Dessert

$8.00

Music: 7:30PM

DJ Rick

This is the unit I deployed with to Saudi Arabia. I’m 3rd from the left of the flag in desert camo.

Contrary to what I thought, Saudi Arabia gets pretty cold in the wintertime. No snow, but the temps hovered around 30-40 degrees. I managed to get some long johns shipped to me about 2 weeks after the weather got warmer.

One of my duties was as a M240B gunner. Never found anything worth shooting at.

Here I am at the south gate with one of the third country nationals. He was happy to be there.

I decided to try to immerse myself in the culture while there. The gentleman standing next to me held a question and answer period for us about Muslim culture. Afterwards we got a chance to try on this “man-dress”, which was actually quite comfortable. Afterwards we ate some of the local cuisine which was also quite delicious.

And here I am at the main gate in the vehicle search area. the infantry sign behind me was for the old Army unit that was there prior to us taking over.

]]> http://homesbychrysti.com/VFWPost4647/2008/10/08/george-cazares-recalls-his-time-in-saudi-arabia/feed/ http://homesbychrysti.com/VFWPost4647/2008/10/08/breakfast-served-every-sunday-at-vfw-post-4647/ http://homesbychrysti.com/VFWPost4647/2008/10/08/breakfast-served-every-sunday-at-vfw-post-4647/#comments Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:07:43 +0000 Chrystina Tovani http://homesbychrysti.com/VFWPost4647/?p=137 Every Sunday VFW Post 4647 serves a delicious breakfast!

The menu is usually sausage, bacon, hash browns, eggs cooked to order and bisquits and gravy with toast or english muffins.  Sometime the menu is something special such as a buffet style or waffles and pancakes.

Breakfast is served between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM.