Wife's Request

[lcpd24]

Had a sand storm hit this a.m.

This is a little long, but it's a 'goosebump' moment!

Wife's Request:

(The following story was written by Lori Kimble , a 31 year old teacher and proud military wife. Mrs. Kimble , a California native, currently lives in Alabama .)

I was sitting alone in one of those loud, casual steak houses that you find all ver the country. You know the type--a bucket of peanuts on every table, shells littering the floor, and a bunch of perky college kids racing around with longneck beers and sizzling platters.

Taking a sip of my iced tea, I studied the crowd over the rim of my glass. My gaze lingered on a group enjoying their meal. They wore no uniform to identify their branch of service, but they were definitely "military:" clean shaven, cropped haircut, and that "squared away" look that comes with pride.

Smiling sadly, I glanced across my table to the empty seat where my husband usually sat. It had only been a few months since we sat in this very booth, talking about his upcoming deployment to the Middle East . That was when he made me promise to get a sitter for the kids, come back to this restaurant once a month and treat myself to a nice steak. In turn he would treasure the thought of me being here, thinking about him until he returned home

I fingered the little flag pin I constantly wear and wondered where he was at this very moment. Was he safe and warm? Was his cold any better? Were my letters getting through to him? As I pondered these thoughts, high pitched female voices from the next booth broke into my thoughts.

"I don't know what Bush is thinking about. Invading Iraq . You'd think that man would learn from his old man's mistakes. Good lord. What an idiot! I can't believe he is even in office. You do know, he stole the election."

I cut into my steak and tried to ignore them, as they began an endless tirade running down our president. I thought about the last night I spent with my husband, as he prepared to deploy. He had just returned from getting his smallpox and anthrax shots. The image of him standing in our kitchen packing his gas mask still gives me chills.

Once again the women's voices invaded my thoughts. "It is all about oil, you know. Our soldiers will go in and rape and steal all the oil they can in the name of 'freedom'. Hmph! I wonder how many innocent people they'll kill without giving it a thought(It was obvious what political party these people belonged to)? It's pure greed, you know."

My chest tightened as I stared at my wedding ring. I could still see how handsome my husband looked in his "mess dress" the day he slipped it on my finger. I wondered what he was wearing now. Probably his desert uniform, affectionately dubbed "coffee stains" with a heavy bulletproof vest over it.

"You know, we should just leave Iraq alone. I don't think they are hiding any weapons. In fact, I bet it's all a big act just to increase the president's popularity. That's all it is, padding the military budget at the expe nse of our social security and education. And, you know what else? We're just asking for another 9-ll. I can't say when it happens again that we didn't deserve it."

Their words brought to mind the war protesters I had watched gathering outside our base. Did no one appreciate the sacrifice of brave men and women, who leave their homes and family to ensure our freedom? Do they even know what "freedom" is?

I glanced at the table where the young men were sitting, and saw their courageous faces change. They had stopped eating and looked at each other dejectedly, listening to the women talking. "Well, I, for one, think it's just deplorable to invade Iraq , and I am certainly sick of our tax dollars going to train professional baby-killers we call a military."

Professional baby-killers? I though t about what a wonderful father my husband is, and of how long it would be before he would see our children again.

That's it! Indignation rose up inside me. Normally reserved, pride in my husband gave me a brassy boldness I never realized I had. Tonight one voice will answer on behalf of our military, and let her pride in our troops be known.

Sliding out of my booth, I walked around to the adjoining booth and placed my hands flat on their table. Lowering myself to eye level with them, smilingly said, "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation.

You see, I'm sitting here trying to enjoy my dinner alone. And, do you know why? Because my husband, whom I love with all my heart, is halfway around the world defending your right to say rotten things about him."

"Yes, you have the right to your opinion, and what you think is none of my business. However, what you say in public is something else, and I will not sit by and listen to you ridicule MY country, MY president, MY husband, and all the other fine American men and women who put their lives on the line, just so you can have the "freedom" to complain. Freedom is an expensive commodity, ladies. Don't let your actions cheapen it.."

I must have been louder that I meant to be, because the manager came over to inquire if everything was all right. "Yes, thank you," I replied. Then, turning back to the women, I said, "Enjoy the rest of your meal."

As I returned to my booth applause broke out. I was embarrassed for making a scene, and went back to my half eaten steak. The women picked up their check and scurried away.

After finishing my meal, and while waiting for my check, the manager returned with a huge apple cobbler ala mode. "Compliments of those soldiers," he said. He also smiled and said the ladies tried to pay for my dinner, but that another couple had beaten them to it. When I asked who, the manager said they had already left, but that the gentleman was a veteran, and wanted to take care of the wife of "one of our boys."

With a lump in my throat, I gratefully turned to the soldiers and thanked them for the cobbler.. Grinning from ear to ear, they came over and surrounded the booth. "We just wanted to thank you, ma'am. You know we can't get into confrontations with civilians, so we appreciate what you did."

As I drove home, for the first time since my husband's deployment, I didn't feel quite so alone. My heart was filled with the warmth of the other diners who stopped by my table, to relate how they, too, were proud of my husband, and would keep him in their prayers. I knew their flags would fly a little higher the next day. Perhaps they would look for more tangible ways to show their pride in our country, and the military who protect her. And maybe, just maybe, the two women who were railing against our country, would pause for a minute to appreciate all the freedom America offers, and the price it pays to maintain it's freedom.

As for me, I have learned that one voice CAN make a difference. Maybe the next time protesters gather outside the gates of the base where I live, I will proudly stand on the opposite side with a sign of my own. It will simply say, "Thank You!"

To those who fought for our Nation: Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know. GOD BLESS AMERICA !

Please pray for God's protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for their commanders. Pass this on to as many as you think will respond. "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. I ask this in the name of God.

When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground, air and navy personnel in every area of the middle east. There is nothing attached.... This can be very powerful.... Just send this to all the people in your address book.

Do not stop this prayer chain, please.... Of all the gifts you could give to anyone in the US Military, be it Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Reserve, or National Guard, Prayer is the very best one.....Amen!

[VIETNAM 1968]

I read every word and those Sandstorms blew in without warning. Still can't clear my eyes completely and I am having a hard time typing this message to everyone.

Even though the present news concerning Iraq is not that bright and the country might fall into Civil War any minute, I still support our troops. I still remember, very vividly, how most Americans did not support us while we did our Tours in Nam. It was even worse once we returned home and were given the cold shoulder, or worse, for going there in the first place!! Lets not let the current generation of Veterans go through what we did. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. They need it as much as we did many years ago.

Freedom is NEVER FREE. IT MUST BE PERIODICALLY PURCHASED WITH PAIN AND BLOOD LOSS from the fine young men and women now serving in harms way for the rest of us. BLESS THEM ALL!!

To all of my Vietnam Veteran Brothers and Sisters I again wish you all a big:


WELCOME HOME:


VIETNAM 1968

[Advisor]

Durn sandstorms

[Robert Ryan]

Damn my allergies are acting up again. Need to put some eye drops in my eyes.

[Boats]

People are cruel and tend over load their asses most of the time. But people who have Husbands, Moms & Dads, Sons and Daughters serving really know how difficult it is.

We too must remember those left behind and having to deal with the loneliness and not knowing of what's going on with their loved ones.

Reckless and cruel is what I call them who make statements beyond their knowing. Opinions sure we all have them but those need to be well thought out before verbalizing them in public - because you never know who will be there or know of someone who was hurt or killed there.

I respect this woman and many others like her - they do not have thick skins most of them and to make one stand up and make statement tells you just how deep those feeling go.

I give her a well done and a big hug for being so courageous.

[VIETNAM 1968]

Boats--Thanks for reminding me that I omitted a large segment of Patriotic Americans in my previous post. I completely omitted the heartache, suffering, and anxiety that the loved ones of our current Veterans are now going through while their Husbands, Wives, Fathers, Mothers, Sons and Daughters serve In Harms Way. Bless them all and please pray for them as well when you remember our brave Veterans.

Boy now is my face RED as I completely overlooked the main portion of LCPD24's original post. That being that loved ones also do a Tour Of Duty at the same time that their loved ones serve In Harms Way!!

Must have been those Sandstorms that were still blowing while I composed my first response.

To all of my Vietnam Veteran Brothers and Sisters I again state:


WELCOME HOME


VIETNAM 1968

[Stick]

Thank you so much for the post Dennis. Copy and paste is a wonderful thing and "Wife's request" is now on its way to my mailing list and there are bunches of prayers going up for those that defend and those that love those defenders.

[Robert Ryan]

Right Boats we all are entitled to our opinons and opinons are like butt holes they all stink.

[Tina]

Thanks for the post Dennis.. Its all over my mailing list
love ya
tina

[03Fox2/1]

Dennis,
Thanks for sharing this story with us and my hats off to Mrs. Kimble. There are so many times that people keep silent when those around us take unfair advantage of their freedom of speech. They forget that freedom isn't free. I know from experience, as my Dad was career military, what a wife goes through when her husband is at war. My Dad retired a Sgt. Major of Marines but he always told me that Mom out-ranked him. He saw service on Iwo to Chosin to Vietnam, was wounded and decorated many times, but he said that Mom was the one that suffered the most. Thank God for the love and support of a good woman. My Dad has left us, for a better place, but my Mom is still rock steady in her support for our servicemen and women. Semper Fi