posted May 23, 2008 08:15 PM              

Let loose the old ghosts. The past is difficult to see clearly through the haze of old fears and we are too easily tricked. We are not in the hands of a cold cruel fate, endlessly reliving the same sadness. We lay in the hands of an All Merciful, All Forgiving God.

You tell Bear that when I go to bed at night, I remember that there are brave, strong men guarding the fortress walls behind which my husband, my baby and I peacefully sleep. And I thank them.

posted May 23, 2008 08:36 PM            

I should be stronger....

posted May 23, 2008 08:57 PM            

quote:

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when have they LOST a troop?

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My grandfather. He was an Ejército del Aire officer, and died during a maintenance run accident which led to brain hemorrhage. I didn't even get to know him; I was way too young.

posted May 24, 2008 11:48 AM            

I know you made those comments in a moment of reflection on the unfairness of some who yip, yap and cast aspersions on the character and integrity of those who have the courage to stand up and defend us all, including the yippers and yappers who slander them.

I count you and Bear as among the "doers" in America. Those who stand up and do what's necessary when the need arises and suffer the uncertainties and hardships which go with the territory.

America has always been full of "doers". Part of the American psyche which cannot be explained to the yippers and yappers who aren't fit to polish Bear's boots when a substantive comparison is made.

It is in the finest American tradition and principles that when something needs to be done, some simply do it and for the best of reasons; because they can. I can't think of a better reason.

There are other military families here. Eleanore and her husband come to mind and there may be others of whom I'm unaware.

Tell Bear you all have my love and utmost respect where ever and how ever you serve, each in your own way and you have my prayers for your safe return home.

posted May 24, 2008 05:11 PM            

I didn't see your original post, but it's not really needed to imagine the emotions you are going through.

God bless

posted May 24, 2008 09:29 PM              

You and Bear will be in my thoughts until he comes home.

May you both be held in loving arms until then, and every day after.

Blessings and Peace to you both,
Amanda

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The truth is ... everything counts. Everything. Everything we do and everything we say. Everything helps or hurts; everything adds to or takes away from someone else. ~ Countee Cullen

We are weaving character every day, and the way to weave the best character is to be kind and to be useful. Think right, act right; it is what we think and do that makes us who we are. ~ Elbert Hubbard

posted June 06, 2008 10:47 AM            

I'm back. I dropped my laptop and just recently got back online.

Thank you for all your support. My original post was pretty much me realizing just how hard this is all going to be again. I love Bear with all my heart and soul, saying goodbye to him again is going to be hard, harder now than even before. The last time the deployment was a surprise. He had less than a 24 hour notice, when he touched ground in Germany, that they had selected him to replace another platoon SGT. He left later that week and I wasn't able to see him off.

This time, I am preparing the families of the Family Readiness Group for the deployment. We have classes, Will worksheets, causality notification training..etc.. It is important but it doesn't change the fact that we know what we face when they leave.

I hold it together for the families and yet, there are times when I think of how short of time we have before he leaves. My optimistic side normally prevails and tells me to take every moment and make it special. My human (and horses a$$) side makes me want to break down because this time I will be there for the leaving ceremony.

I really do appreciate all of your well wishes, support and love. You all mean so much to Bear and myself.

Hugs....

posted July 02, 2008 06:15 AM            

Venus, I appreciate your words and they mean alot. I wish I was stronger but sometimes knowing about the deployment is harder than the last time when we had almost no notice.

I can understand where your mother's parents are coming from. It can be a hard lifestyle, but it is also very rewarding. I am fortunate to be married to an awesome man that shows me how much he loves me every day. He makes the fears that I have subside.

posted July 04, 2008 01:52 AM              

quote:

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This song is a tribute to honor the sacrifices of the gallant Indian Jawans (infantrymen) who in the 1962 Sino-Indian War fought to the last man and the last round on the icy desolate peaks of the Himalayas with obsolete bolt-action Lee-Enfield rifles against the assault rifles, heavy machine guns, mortars and artillery of the People's Liberation Army of China.

During 1962 (Indo-China) war days, Kavi Pradeep heard about Param Vir Major Shaitan Singh Bhaati [1]. He was so touched by his sacrifice and bravery that he penned down the lines `Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon` (translation: O people of my country). This song was originally supposed to be sung by Asha Bhosle, due to a misunderstanding between composer C. Ramchandra and Lata Mangeshkar. Kavi Pradeep though, was adamant about having Lata Mangeshkar sing the song, as he felt that hers was the only voice that could do justice to the number. C. Ramchandra was unsure whether Mangeshkar would agree to sing, so Kavi Pradeep began the task of convincing her to hear the song. On hearing the song she was moved so much that she instantly agreed to sing the song, on condition that Kavi Pradeep be present at the rehearsals.

Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo emerged as one of the greatest patriotic songs of India. It was while listening to Lata Mangeshkar’s rendition of ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logo’ that the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, was moved to tears. Reportedly later he confessed to the singer: "Beti tune mujhe rula diya" (my daughter, to-day you made my eyes moist

Translation

O! the people of my motherland!
Raise all the slogans you desire,
This is a great day for us all,
Hoist your beloved tricolor,
But don't forget on the border,
The brave did lose their lives,
And remember each great soldier,
Who did not return home ever,

O! the people of my motherland!
Shed a few tears,
For those who martyred on ice,
Remember their great sacrifice!

When injured was the Himalayan might,
Our freedom was in jeopardy,
Till their last breath did they fight,
And then laid their dead body,

Resting their head on the soil,
Sacrificed and slept immortal,
For those who martyred on ice,
Remember their great sacrifice!

When the country celebrated Diwali,
They played with their blood the game of Holi,
When we were sitting safe at our homes,
They dealt with deadly bullets and bombs.

Blessed they were those soldiers,
Blessed were their youths,
For those who martyred on ice,
Remember their great sacrifice!

Some Sikh, some Jaat and Maratha,
Some were Gurkha or Madrasi,
But each soldier who died on the border,
Was a brave Hindustani.

The blood that stained the mountain,
That blood was that of an Indian,
For those who martyred on ice,
Remember their great sacrifice!

With blood their body was drenched,
Yet they lifted their rifle and aimed,
One killed tens of the enemy,
Then fell down unconsciously.

When the final moment came on,
They said they will die now,
Be happy! O beloved of the nation,
We embark on eternal journey now,

How great were those patriots,
How great was their pride,
For those who martyred on ice,
Remember their great sacrifice!

Don't you ever forget their glory,
So I narrate this noble story,
For those who martyred on ice,
Remember their great sacrifice!

Victory to India!, Victory to her army!
Victory to India!
Victory to India!
Victory to India!

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