I am officially an enormous boob! I THOUGHT I was doing pretty awesome at getting adjusted here - I have "the message" on my phone that I refer to frequently, I have my 'matrix' that shows me all the stuff my son is doing that I know HE will think is "fun", I finally go the plt # from the recruiter (no form letter yet), I am able to discuss "Marine stuff" with loved ones and be happy about it..so I was sideswiped today when I went to the grocery store!
As I approached there were VFW's out front taking donations. Now that I'm an "MM" (military mom) people in armed forced garb stand out to me from a mile away - I notice them before any of my friends or family and ususally can tell what branch by the attire from a reasonable distance. This is all new to me so I am in the "information gathering" phase and have made it my mission to locate every possible resource for Marine/Military families and learn everything about the corps my brain will hold. I know none of you guys get this (wink wink!). This said I feel I've put my "big girl pants on" and bellied up to the bar so to speak.
I made eye contact with the veteran at the table who was clearly beyond 70yo and offered a hearfelt and sincere "Good Morning" and "God Bless" which was immediately returned along with a smile. Having no cash on my person I proceeded to enter the store to pick up the items for my 4yo's preschool grad party today.
About two steps past the donation table it hit me full force in the gut - he was a VETERAN, my son is in BOOT CAMP, he is GONE, there is a WAR, this is REAL. I was immediately totally overcome with sobs and hyperventilating and paralyzed with emotion! OMG!!!!
I literally ran to the back of the store to dodge curious onlookers. It seemed the only logical solution was to run out there and throw my arms around this man and THANK HIM for his service and vomit my whole new recruit mom fear experience all over his beautiful suit leaving tears and snot everywhere for the whole glorious world to see.
After I pulled myself together a little bit I realized this could be potentially embarassing when they called security to remove the crazy lady that had tackled the VFW, so I elected to just offer a nice calm "Thank you - I appreciate your sacrifice - God Bless" as I left the store.
The closer I got to being done with my task the more difficult it got to go toward the door. I was completely overcome with the realization that if I looked at this man again I would not be able to control my emotional outburst and literally had to force myself to exit - and to accomplish that I had to turn my head away and run to my car.
Once I got inside the vehicle I had an all out breakdown complete with dry heaving on my sobs. I tried calling hubby - no answer, tried calling daughter - no answer. I pulled it together and left the parking lot only to find that there was almost literally a soldier on every corner in dress - apparently some event for the holiday weekend that they were preparing for that I didn't know about, and as I spied each one I was washed in flood of sadness for every mom who has ever lost a child to war, for every soldier that has been spit on or treated poorly by oblivious "hippies" who couldn't make the connection that these servants preserved their right to act that way, for every ill educated dork who has ever grimaced at a new recruits mom and said "I'm sorry" when we shared that our kid was going to be a soldier - it all just came bursting out!
Finally I got hubby on the phone and got a grip. I was completely shocked that something SO INNOCENT would affect me in such a HUGE way. I am PROUD, I am CONFIDENT in my son, his decision, and the USMC, I VALUE my freedom and THANK GOD that somebody is willing to fight for it 'cuz I'm a chicken - I can't think of anything more honorable. And as my hubby reminds me, this isn't any different than if he were a cop, astronaut, or fireman - I JUST WASN'T EXPECTING THAT!!!
Friday
Sponsor a Blanket For A Deployed Daddy
Blankets for Deployed Daddies has more requests for blankets than we can fill because we just don't have the resources to purchase supplies and ship the blankets. Won't you please donate a few dollars (or even a few more than a few) to support our cause. It's our goal to make sure that no baby is born without a hug and kiss from daddy.
Each blanket costs $20 to produce, package, and ship. Your name and email address can be included in the package of a blanket if you desire.
DONATE TO BLANKETS FOR DEPLOYED DADDIES...
Each blanket costs $20 to produce, package, and ship. Your name and email address can be included in the package of a blanket if you desire.
DONATE TO BLANKETS FOR DEPLOYED DADDIES...
Wednesday
Keep The Frontline Going With Military Auctions
When a country is in need of support, it becomes apparent that everyday citizens everywhere take a stand to fight for just rights and causes all from home. But some have taken the idea of this support and run with it, by finding ways to support our troops through everyday shopping.
How Military Auctions Work
Military auctions are a new idea that has been making its rounds across the Internet. Most Internet users have used or have heard of eBay, but as we all know, eBay is a proprietary company with no moral obligation to any one particular country 's frontline.
But where eBay can't make patriotic contributions to military operation, other good citizens have created the concept of military auctions. Online auctions have become the new way that families buy products online- often even replacing trips to the local store. So if even a small percentage of Internet auction sales are contributed to the military, the resulting some is quite large.
It 's important to note that unlike other charities that associate with retail, there is usually no markup on prices. This means that finding the cheapest prices on the Internet for jewelry, cheap clothing, books, antiques, and more is possible- all while benefiting one 's national military!
Because of the lack of markup, and because of the convenience, there is no reason that the military shouldn't have our support in this case. If we aren't giving any extra money out of our pockets for items we would normally buy anyway, why not side with a charitable auction that donates money help a common cause?
What Military Auctions Benefit
Military auctions benefit a number of things. First, individual troops that lack necessary Kevlar gear or even vital safety equipment will see benefit. In essence, using military auctions instead of general auctions such as eBay can save the lives of soldiers everywhere.
The idea of saving one 's life through a simple auction is incredible- but the benefit doesn't stop there. Soldiers live a very difficult life they are deployed overseas in foreign nations that may seem frightening. Military forces often hold events, in this case, to help improve morale. Benefit concerts, comedy shows, and other forms of stress relief are funded as a way of saying thanks to our troops. With every online military auction bid, one is keeping our troops comforted as well as safe in dangerous times.
Lastly, military auctions help soldiers who receive injury. Injured soldiers can take benefit of some plans offered by most governments, but once that money runs out, they are often left to fend for themselves. To help alleviate the strain, military auctions can give injured soldiers both a peace of mind and the necessary foothold to get started with their life again.
Final Thoughts on Military Auctions
Military auctions are quickly becoming the relief to the lack of military donations. After initial military donations are given, it 's hard to keep citizens aware and active within military support. Military auctions seek to fix this fact by donating to the cause where consumers won't even pay any extra money out of their pocket.
Without patriotic services such as military auctions, we'd have more casualties, injuries, and unhappy soldiers on our hands. Luckily, the ideas of a few patriotic individuals overturns these shortcomings of military campaigns and keeps nations running smoothly not to mention it keeps our soldiers safe and sound.
Support our troops with Alternative Online Auctions and Custom Challenge Coins
How Military Auctions Work
Military auctions are a new idea that has been making its rounds across the Internet. Most Internet users have used or have heard of eBay, but as we all know, eBay is a proprietary company with no moral obligation to any one particular country 's frontline.
But where eBay can't make patriotic contributions to military operation, other good citizens have created the concept of military auctions. Online auctions have become the new way that families buy products online- often even replacing trips to the local store. So if even a small percentage of Internet auction sales are contributed to the military, the resulting some is quite large.
It 's important to note that unlike other charities that associate with retail, there is usually no markup on prices. This means that finding the cheapest prices on the Internet for jewelry, cheap clothing, books, antiques, and more is possible- all while benefiting one 's national military!
Because of the lack of markup, and because of the convenience, there is no reason that the military shouldn't have our support in this case. If we aren't giving any extra money out of our pockets for items we would normally buy anyway, why not side with a charitable auction that donates money help a common cause?
What Military Auctions Benefit
Military auctions benefit a number of things. First, individual troops that lack necessary Kevlar gear or even vital safety equipment will see benefit. In essence, using military auctions instead of general auctions such as eBay can save the lives of soldiers everywhere.
The idea of saving one 's life through a simple auction is incredible- but the benefit doesn't stop there. Soldiers live a very difficult life they are deployed overseas in foreign nations that may seem frightening. Military forces often hold events, in this case, to help improve morale. Benefit concerts, comedy shows, and other forms of stress relief are funded as a way of saying thanks to our troops. With every online military auction bid, one is keeping our troops comforted as well as safe in dangerous times.
Lastly, military auctions help soldiers who receive injury. Injured soldiers can take benefit of some plans offered by most governments, but once that money runs out, they are often left to fend for themselves. To help alleviate the strain, military auctions can give injured soldiers both a peace of mind and the necessary foothold to get started with their life again.
Final Thoughts on Military Auctions
Military auctions are quickly becoming the relief to the lack of military donations. After initial military donations are given, it 's hard to keep citizens aware and active within military support. Military auctions seek to fix this fact by donating to the cause where consumers won't even pay any extra money out of their pocket.
Without patriotic services such as military auctions, we'd have more casualties, injuries, and unhappy soldiers on our hands. Luckily, the ideas of a few patriotic individuals overturns these shortcomings of military campaigns and keeps nations running smoothly not to mention it keeps our soldiers safe and sound.
Support our troops with Alternative Online Auctions and Custom Challenge Coins
Friday
From Lubbock Marine Parents: To All Military Moms
From Lubbock Marine Parents: To All Military Moms
"Dear God,
Tonight I ask as a mother to bless my child as I do every night, but now I am reminding you this is a special child. This child helps to provide a blanket of protection that we as Americans slumber under each night. He has decided to give his life to protect this great country of ours, and before now there was always prayer for you to watch over this child but after the terror that has struck our U.S. soil, I feel even stronger, more pleading as I pray to you. This child loves God and country and has sworn to protect her inhabitants. But, this is still my child who I have sworn to protect with MY life until the day I die. Now I need your help more than ever. He is no longer in my reach, but can only be reached by your hand to protect him. He may be on the oceans, above the earth or in lands foreign and hostile to him, please God, keep him safe and bring him home to me…alive and soon. Let this horrendous terror go away. Let us find peace and keep these special children alive and safe to teach future generations how important life is and how important it is to protect it. They are a rare breed, and we are the mothers who have helped to raise them. Now we are the mothers who ask for your help to protect them. Please bless all the mother’s children of the world, but please remember I am a military mother and am asking you to take special care of this special child.
I ask this in the name of your precious son Jesus, Amen."
"Dear God,
Tonight I ask as a mother to bless my child as I do every night, but now I am reminding you this is a special child. This child helps to provide a blanket of protection that we as Americans slumber under each night. He has decided to give his life to protect this great country of ours, and before now there was always prayer for you to watch over this child but after the terror that has struck our U.S. soil, I feel even stronger, more pleading as I pray to you. This child loves God and country and has sworn to protect her inhabitants. But, this is still my child who I have sworn to protect with MY life until the day I die. Now I need your help more than ever. He is no longer in my reach, but can only be reached by your hand to protect him. He may be on the oceans, above the earth or in lands foreign and hostile to him, please God, keep him safe and bring him home to me…alive and soon. Let this horrendous terror go away. Let us find peace and keep these special children alive and safe to teach future generations how important life is and how important it is to protect it. They are a rare breed, and we are the mothers who have helped to raise them. Now we are the mothers who ask for your help to protect them. Please bless all the mother’s children of the world, but please remember I am a military mother and am asking you to take special care of this special child.
I ask this in the name of your precious son Jesus, Amen."
Thursday
Check out "Knit for "Blankets for Deployed Daddies"" on Link to Share...
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