Mama, I'm coming home: A Soldier's Story (w/pic) (1533 hits)
Category: PoliticsRating: 1.94 on 43 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by nitty (View user info) at 2005-06-29 11:55:58 EDT
I must say, this was unexpected.
When I enlisted, nearly 2 years ago, this was the last place on my mind. I figured at the time I'd serve my time, do my duty, return to the home town, marry Beth, and live my life there - like my father before me.
I never thought I'd settle down here. I had other plans, other dreams, and others waiting for me at home. I didn't set my course to end up here, but this land was given to me. I can't refuse the honor of living here. It was given to me and to so many others - as a reward for a job well done.
I've been here before. My dad brought me here when I was 8 years old. My grandfather was here before me, and dad and I searched all day to find his name among a thousand others. When we found it, dad sat me down and explained to me the significance of what grandpa did, how his sacrifice and the sacrifice of others like him paid the price it costs to be free.
And now I'm here too.
I remember the first day I came here, and saw my grandfather. He looked over with tears in his eyes, but behind the tears shone pride. Unmistakable, unwavering pride. We made eye contact, and I saw him stand up straight, click his heels, and salute me. It brought tears to my eyes, and a chill ran through my body.
We're now part of an elite club, he and I. I'm proud to be here with him.
Every now and then, I'll hear the shout of twenty-one guns somewhere in the night air, and I'll think to myself; "Another hero has come home. He's part of our brotherhood, too."
When I can manage, I'll stand up and salute, as my grandfather did me.
When I settled down here, my dad didn't say a word. He stared straight ahead, with a face made of stone that I'd never before seen in my 20 years on this earth. My mother cried. She clutched the folded flag to her chest, and wept because I'd come here instead of returning to the town of my birth. If only she understood...
Don't cry for me. Don't feel bad. I'm the lucky one.
I'm surrounded by beautiful land, and I'm in the absolute best of company. Moreso than anything else, I'm thankful to those who are thankful for what I've done to end up here. This ground is sacred. I'm one of the chosen ones, and I'm damn proud of it.
I can rest in peace.
I've made it.
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This short story is a brief synopsis of the Trace Adkins song 'Arlington.'
Next Monday is the 4th of July. That may not mean much to many on this site who are not Americans, but regardless of your political stance on the president, the War, and the state of the Union, the 4th is more than a time to attend cookouts and drink beer. It's more than a day off of work.
It was made possible by the countless sacrifice of those who have gone before us. People I've never met, and people I'll never know. Take a little time on the 4th to remember that. Those fighting for the United States right now may not agree with what you say about the President, about the War, or about them...but they will defend to the death your right to say it.
Happy 4th to all Uber members in the military.
And thank you.
-nitty
User Reviews
Submitted by Crystle (user info) at 2005-09-07 16:13:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by LeavesTeethMarks (user info) at 2005-07-01 07:41:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2005-06-30 19:19:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2005-06-30 09:00:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
*stands
*claps infinitum
Bravo nitty Br - fucking - vo
Submitted by Soley_Trinity (user info) at 2005-06-30 06:05:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-06-30 05:53:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
It was made possible by the countless sacrifice of those who have gone before us. People I've never met, and people I'll never know. Take a little time on the 4th to remember that. Those fighting for the United States right now may not agree with what you say about the President, about the War, or about them...but they will defend to the death your right to say it.
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And the French, very important in the liberation of America. Had they not stabbed us in the side, the war would have dragged on and on and on and on and on. It would have been a right bloody mess, for all concerned.
I love America. I love what America has become, we orignally shipped a load of puritan wankers over there and you've since become one of the most (if not the most) hedonistic nation in the world.
God bless America. I love each and every one of you.
Submitted by forensicgirl3 (user info) at 2005-06-30 03:52:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by checkyourmail (user info) at 2005-06-30 01:58:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by earth_collapse (user info) at 2005-06-30 01:36:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Dead_0hi0_Sky (user info) at 2005-06-29 23:40:08 (#)
Ranking: 2
let us all never forget the Alamo, as well.
that was the only time in history that australia almost kicked our asses.
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Submitted by Dead_0hi0_Sky (user info) at 2005-06-29 23:40:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
let us all never forget the Alamo, as well.
that was the only time in history that australia almost kicked our asses.
Submitted by knucklesnelson (user info) at 2005-06-29 21:42:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
yep
Submitted by QueenAshlee (user info) at 2005-06-29 18:53:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Fuck, man...
Excuse me, I have something in my eye...
Submitted by Blackhailfire (user info) at 2005-06-29 18:36:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Semper Fidelis. A Salute to the Fallen.
Submitted by Mario (user info) at 2005-06-29 17:42:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Thank you.
Submitted by Stin (user info) at 2005-06-29 17:24:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Girlwithaclue (user info) at 2005-06-29 17:09:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Anything less than a +2 is wrong.
Thank you to all the men that have died for our freedom and the freedom of others!
Hear the bell.....
Ding..Ding..Ding..
Thank you
Submitted by Flack (user info) at 2005-06-29 16:23:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
FIRST TEAM!!!! HOOAH!
Submitted by c1ndy (user info) at 2005-06-29 15:32:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This is nice.
I know next to nothing about all the 4th July story- schools don't teach about wars where we lost. I hope Google boy Brains does a post on it.
Submitted by Hadooken (user info) at 2005-06-29 15:29:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i havent seen my buddy mike in almost 5 years. He went army, i went air force. we never seem to get to visit home at the same time. this friday will be the first time we have seen each other since high school. we will be taking over northeast ohio for no less than one week. he is married and has a kid now, and even though i always considered him a little brother, it makes me feel very happy and kinda emotional to see he grew up better than i did.
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2005-06-29 14:29:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by the_undertow (user info) at 2005-06-29 14:05:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
It is sad to see the men and women of our military die for the greed of others. That's a different topic altogether though. I THANK the troops for volunteering for the hardest job on the planet. I however don't "support" them, that's just bullshit lip-service and more money for the people who make those damn ribbons. If I said I "support" our troops, I'd get my ass in the Army and ask to be shipped to the 'Raq or buy a soldier some body armor.
Again, thank you military. You guys do a job not everyone can do.
Submitted by MANICMOTHER (user info) at 2005-06-29 13:09:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No! <smack> Bad Brendan, no tits for you. Show some respect.
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-06-29 13:07:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
What Manic said.
Submitted by Totally_useless (user info) at 2005-06-29 13:03:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Why don't presidents fight the war?
Why do they always send the poor?
A big ooh-yah to all my USAF comrades who are still serving; hope to see you guys make it to the private sector. Keep banging those chicks from the Supply Squadron; you know they're always horny.
Happy 4th.
Submitted by BillsSBChamps (user info) at 2005-06-29 13:02:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by MANICMOTHER (user info) at 2005-06-29 12:50:10 (#)
Ranking: 2
I will always support those who go and fight, but I cannot support those who send them.
Props to the little man who actually has to LIVE the experience.
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Shut up and show us your tits.
Submitted by pantsarestupid (user info) at 2005-06-29 12:58:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
...
Submitted by MANICMOTHER (user info) at 2005-06-29 12:50:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I will always support those who go and fight, but I cannot support those who send them.
Props to the little man who actually has to LIVE the experience.
Submitted by southernmiss (user info) at 2005-06-29 12:49:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by DonkeyOnTheEdge (user info) at 2005-06-29 12:45:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Been in five years, been to the sandbox for one, still have three years left. Probably another tour or two.
Submitted by UrbaneMischief (user info) at 2005-06-29 12:45:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by nitty34 (user info) at 2005-06-29 12:34:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Yeah, but it was funny.
Email it to anyone military. I hope that's what happens. I've always said the enlisted don't get enough of the proper recognition.
Submitted by Teephphah (user info) at 2005-06-29 12:27:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
That joke was . . . inappropriate. Wasn't it?
Submitted by Teephphah (user info) at 2005-06-29 12:26:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
P.S. Nitty - Just so you know, I'm e-mailing this to all my soldier friends who have died in wars. I think they're really going to like it.
Submitted by Teephphah (user info) at 2005-06-29 12:25:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Fuck you Adam, you repeatin' fuck! You stole my line! Sure, you took out the spaces and whatnot, but still. . . you bastard.
Submitted by jack11058 (user info) at 2005-06-29 12:17:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/67273 Medal of Honor
Nicely done.
Must say, I'm glad I got out this year. Two trips to the desert was enough for me in one career. good luck to those who are going, and to those still in, I salute you.
Submitted by Hotpocket4you (user info) at 2005-06-29 12:14:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Thanks. I'm heading to Iraq in August. Party in the Desert.
Submitted by Adamdidit2u (user info) at 2005-06-29 12:14:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
...
Submitted by Teephphah (user info) at 2005-06-29 12:11:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
. . .
Submitted by nitty34 (user info) at 2005-06-29 12:10:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Tim:
http://www.ubersite.com/m/67071
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2005-06-29 12:08:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Very nice. Well done Nitts.
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2005-06-29 12:07:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
as i clicked on this, i was listening to Rough and Ready by Trace Atkins.
pretty good.
Submitted by spedmonkey (user info) at 2005-06-29 12:01:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Amen.
Submitted by BillsSBChamps (user info) at 2005-06-29 11:59:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You kick more ass than me and that's not easy.