A tribute to a true American Hero

[Krissy Phaserman 0]

Who knew it was so hard to type while trying to hold back the tears?

 

 

TRIBUTE TO AN AMERICAN HERO

 

 

They call him “G.I. Joe”. He has stood the watch through the bright optimism of peace, and the darkness of war. For 230 years now, he has been there. He has many faces. He serves in every branch of the service, and continues to serve. He was there in the beginning, at Lexington and Concord; he froze with General Washington during that cold winter in Valley Force, and is a veteran of every campaign, every battle, and every skirmish from 1775 to today. He has seen it all. He has been everywhere. He served in every regiment in the Civil War, and charged San Juan Hill with the Rough Riders. He served with Commodore Dewey at Manila. He was in the trenches in France, and in the air overhead, too. He escorted troop ships across the Atlantic in two wars. He was stationed aboard USS Arizona on 7 December, 1941. He was at the beaches of Normandy, in the Ardennes, the islands of the Pacific, the Korean peninsula, and the jungles of Vietnam. He was a sailor aboard the USS Stark, and the USS Samuel B. Roberts in the 1980’s. It was he that led the way into Panama and Grenada. He flew strikes against Saddam in ’91, and led the charge to liberate Kuwait. He was a Ranger in Somalia, Flew air missions over the Balkans, and kept the peace for years in that troubled region. He was aboard the USS Cole on 20 October, 2000, and he was at the Pentagon on September 11th. It was he that struck the first retaliatory blows against Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. He was the first into Baghdad, and he still serves today in Iraq and Afghanistan, braving the dangers with a solemn commitment to defend our country, with his very life if need-be. His is the spirit of every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Coast Guardsman that is serving, has served, and will serve our great nation. He knows the joys of victory, and the bitterness of defeat. He is what all Americans should aspire to be: Kind, Caring, Brave, Selfless, and honorable. He embodies what it means to be an American. He has always been there to answer our nation’s call, and we shall never forget his sacrifice. So, here’s to you, Joe. We, the people, of the United States of America, salute you, and thank you for your service. Without your contributions, America would have been nothing but a small footnote in the history of the world. You are the greatest American, and your service shall never be forgotten.

[Data 0]

Thanks, Krissy.

[Stephen of Borg 2]

Who knew it was so hard to type while trying to hold back the tears?

 

 

TRIBUTE TO AN AMERICAN HERO

 

 

They call him “G.I. Joe”. He has stood the watch through the bright optimism of peace, and the darkness of war. For 230 years now, he has been there. He has many faces. He serves in every branch of the service, and continues to serve. He was there in the beginning, at Lexington and Concord; he froze with General Washington during that cold winter in Valley Force, and is a veteran of every campaign, every battle, and every skirmish from 1775 to today. He has seen it all. He has been everywhere. He served in every regiment in the Civil War, and charged San Juan Hill with the Rough Riders. He served with Commodore Dewey at Manila. He was in the trenches in France, and in the air overhead, too. He escorted troop ships across the Atlantic in two wars. He was stationed aboard USS Arizona on 7 December, 1941. He was at the beaches of Normandy, in the Ardennes, the islands of the Pacific, the Korean peninsula, and the jungles of Vietnam. He was a sailor aboard the USS Stark, and the USS Samuel B. Roberts in the 1980’s. It was he that led the way into Panama and Grenada. He flew strikes against Saddam in ’91, and led the charge to liberate Kuwait. He was a Ranger in Somalia, Flew air missions over the Balkans, and kept the peace for years in that troubled region. He was aboard the USS Cole on 20 October, 2000, and he was at the Pentagon on September 11th. It was he that struck the first retaliatory blows against Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. He was the first into Baghdad, and he still serves today in Iraq and Afghanistan, braving the dangers with a solemn commitment to defend our country, with his very life if need-be. His is the spirit of every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Coast Guardsman that is serving, has served, and will serve our great nation. He knows the joys of victory, and the bitterness of defeat. He is what all Americans should aspire to be: Kind, Caring, Brave, Selfless, and honorable. He embodies what it means to be an American. He has always been there to answer our nation’s call, and we shall never forget his sacrifice. So, here’s to you, Joe. We, the people, of the United States of America, salute you, and thank you for your service. Without your contributions, America would have been nothing but a small footnote in the history of the world. You are the greatest American, and your service shall never be forgotten.

 

100% agree, you guys are great

[Krissy Phaserman 0]

GI Joe is saluted by many, but whom does GI Joe salute? None other than Old Glory!

 

I am the flag of the

United States of America.

 

I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.

I stand watch in America's halls of justice.

I stand side by side with the Maple Leaf on the worlds longest undefended border.

I fly majestically over institutions of learning.

I stand guard with power in the world.

Look up and see me.

 

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.

I stand for freedom.

I am confident.

I am arrogant.

I am proud.

 

When I am flown with my fellow banners,

my head is a little higher,

my colors a little truer.

 

I bow to no one!

I am recognized all over the world.

I am honored - I am saluted.

I am loved - I am revered.

I am respected -- and I am feared.

 

I have fought in every battle of every war for more then 200 years. I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox. I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy, Guam. Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon Vietnam.

Know me,

I was there.

 

I led my troops, I was dirty, battle worn and tired,

but my soldiers cheered me, And I was proud.

I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free. It does not hurt,

for I am invincible.

 

I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my country. And when it's by those whom I've served in battle -- it hurts.

But I shall overcome -- for I am strong.

 

I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.

I have borne silent witness to all

of America's finest hours.

 

 

But my finest hours are yet to come.

When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,

When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,

Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,

I am proud.

 

MY NAME IS OLD GLORY LONG MAY I WAVE.

 

Author © Howard Schnauber

 

Edited July 3, 2006 by Krissy Phaserman

[Jim Phaserman 0]

I wish I had a recording of the Chaplain from NTC reciting that, Krissy. Perhaps I will record a version and upload it...

 

And very good job with the Tribute, Krissy. For those of you who haven't guessed, my sister in law here is pretty patriotic. She likes to say, "If my patriotism offends you, then that is YOUR problem, NOT mine."

Edited July 4, 2006 by Jim Phaserman