Right after Memorial Day, 2005; the Governor of Michigan released the following press release.
"Lansing—Approximately 50 Soldiers from the 1439th and 1440th Engineer Detachments (Fire Fighting), Grayling, Michigan Army Guard, will be recognized Sunday for their 12 month deployment in support of Operation Iraq Freedom
The Soldiers were called to active duty December 2003 and sent to Fort McCoy, WI, for in-processing and mission specific training. They arrived in Iraq February 2004 and returned home February 2005.
The ceremony, "Freedom Salute Campaign," also recognizes and honors the families, employers, and other "centers of influence" of each Guard member.
During the ceremony, each Soldier will receive an encased American flag, lapel insignia, commemorative coin, and a certificate of appreciation. Spouses will be recognized with a commemorative lapel pin. Employers and other centers of influence will receive a medallion.
Today, nearly 2,000 Michigan National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are deployed across the globe, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (rotation #3); however, as the Michigan Guard serves the nation, more than 9,000 members remain, in reserve and ready to respond to state emergencies.
Thank you, for realizing that not all our troops are undisciplined. Too bad none of the local newspapers or news crews thought
to cover this story! (Webmaster's opinion)
But who are the American troops? To quote an e-mail.......
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 then he should have in his short lifetime.
He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them.
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.
He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration
with his blood. And now we even have woman 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.......
Have to include another e-mail. Freedom is NOT Cheap!
"I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.
I heard the sound of Taps one night,
When everything was still,
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant "Amen,"
Welcome Home
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.
Enjoy Your Freedom & God Bless Our Troops
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Paul Wightman, with his wife Jennefer and his daughter received the honors.
"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 girl friend 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 155mm howizzitor. 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.
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.
Don't forget the solder's family who also serves by worrying, waiting, and writing letters.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease..
When a flag had draped a coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.
Thank you, Doc for some of the graphics.