open letter to tstillery in iraq...to go in his package

[tdawnaz]

k...i'm starting this topic so that anyone that wants to include a word or two to him just post it here...monday or tuesday i'm sending a package to him for the holidays...and anyone that wants to include a word for a happy holiday for him they can here...i will print this entire topic and send it in the package...and ofcourse he'll be able to read it here too...

so post away...be funny be joyous...be urselves...just get to posting cuz this will be sent out no later than tues (probably won't get there by Christmas but i'm sure he'll love it anyway)

if you have any ideas or requests to go in the package let me know in a note to me (yeh it's against the rules to say that...so i'll ban myself later when im done...)

we love you tstillery...and appreciate all the sacrifice you and your fellow soldiers make everyday ...thank you and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

be safe!

[elinvesti8]

Dear TStillery...My name is David and I am one of the folks here on Testmy.net Forum. I am now a retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant and did a tour in Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. My wife Karen did 30 years in the Marines and did a tour at the same time I did in Saudi Arabia. She also did three tours in Iraq. She is a tough bird. Anyway, I wanted to let you know this because we have felt the crap you are going through. Not me so much but Karen sure did. You be safe over there and come home soon to your family. We will say a prayer for your safe return. Take Care, David and Karen

P.S. The army always had better food than the Marines so I know you will be getting a good Christmas dinner. Well, unless you are wayyyyy out there in the boonies. Then again they may chopper it in to you.   

[tommie gorman]

Holding down the fort over here for you, get back soon and safe. Happy holidays bro. 

[dn0]

tstillery - Thank You - May You and Your Brothers and Sisters be safe. Again, Thank You.

[coknuck]

Thank you for doing what you do to keep America Free! Merry Christmas to you, your Family and, Brothers in Arms. Keep safe!

[mudmanc4]

Yo tstillery, whats up man, enjoyin the sand ? ok, that was bad, hehe Bring me back a little yea ?  I know your lovin cruisin that tank around, takin care of what needs to be taken care of !

I remember you said something like " I gotta find something else to do, I'm getting to old for the shit "  yea ? Well, your never too old to do what your good at, and what you enjoy !

Hey , at least your not dealing with this cold ass weather were all havin right now ! lol

The family say to you, that you should know you got people back here !!!!! And from those here at testmy.net that won't catch this in time to give there thumbs up   :icon_thumright:

Thanks bro

[tdawnaz]

well my story is...i've had some time crunches this week...so this won't be sent out til saturday...so if anyone has any last minute things to say...you still have time...

[tdawnaz]

got this in an email...thought i'd put it here...seems appropriate...

    The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,

    I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

    My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,

    My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

    Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,

    Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

     

    The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,

    Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

    My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,

    Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

    In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,

    So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

     

    The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,

    But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear..

    Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the

    sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

    My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,

    And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

     

    Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,

    A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

    A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,

    Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

    Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,

    Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

   

    "What are you doing?" I asked without fear,

    "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

    Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,

    You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

    For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,

    Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

     

    To the window that danced with a warm fire's light

    Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

    I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

    "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,

    That separates you from the darkest of times.

   

    No one had to ask or beg or implore me,

    I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

    My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"

    Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

    My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',

    And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

     

    I've not seen my own son in more than a while,

    But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

    Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,

    The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

    I can live through the cold and the being alone,

    Away from my family, my house and my home.

     

    I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,

    I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

    I can carry the weight of killing another,

    Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

    Who stand at the front against any and all,

    To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

     

    "  So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,

    Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

    "But isn't there something I can do, at the least,

    "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

    It seems all too little for all that you've done,

    For being away from your wife and your son."

     

    Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,

    "Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

    To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,

    To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

    For when we come home, either standing or dead,

    To know you remember we fought and we bled.

    Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,

    That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

[nanobot]

Merry Christmas, and God Speed.

Thanks,

Nanobot

[Di]

got this in an email...thought i'd put it here...seems appropriate...

 

tdawnaz

your verse --------- Posted by: tdawnaz  -- posted on: Today at 06:50:18 AM

I have to tell you this touched my heart,

it was so beautiful,

and so very true--------

all of these guys should be remembered and honored by all of the peeps back home,

they do give up so much for the freedoms that we all take so much for granted.

edit: fixed your quote