9/11

The war is not over. No, far from it.

We also remember those service men and women who have given so much that we may prevail over those who would see us servile or dead. Selfless service deserves selfless service.

And as always for Ken. May you soar with the eagles forever. We will always miss you.

Six

Miscellany from the DO

This week has been an interesting one, and a bit stressful.  There were so many posts I had running in my head, yet nothing made it to virtual paper. Monday was Constitution Day (225th anniversary of its signing),as well as the 150th anniversary of the battle of Antietam, and Wednesday was the 7th anniversary of my uncle’s death in Iraq (Lu’s little brother). Quite the week. I have a paper due Sunday, but I think I’ll take tonight off, throw in a movie, pop some popcorn, and snuggle with my family. Hope you all have a great weekend!

~The DO

Memorial Day

It has become my tradition to post this poem on Memorial Day. For all those served and never returned to their true love. You will never be forgotten. We, those of us who honor your memory, your service and your sacrifice, will keep your flame alive. We love you and we always will. 

As always, RIP Ken.

Soldier, Soldier
Soldier, soldier come from the wars,
Why don't you march with my true love?"
"We're fresh from off the ship an' 'e's maybe give the slip,
An' you'd best go look for a new love."
New love! True love!
Best go look for a new love,
The dead they cannot rise, an' you'd better dry your eyes,
An' you'd best go look for a new love.

"Soldier, soldier come from the wars,
What did you see o' my true love?"
"I seed 'im serve the Queen in a suit o' rifle-green,
An' you'd best go look for a new love."

"Soldier, soldier come from the wars,
Did ye see no more o' my true love?"
"I seed 'im runnin' by when the shots begun to fly --
But you'd best go look for a new love."

"Soldier, soldier come from the wars,
Did aught take 'arm to my true love?"
"I couldn't see the fight, for the smoke it lay so white --
An' you'd best go look for a new love."

"Soldier, soldier come from the wars,
I'll up an' tend to my true love!"
"'E's lying on the dead with a bullet through 'is 'ead,
An' you'd best go look for a new love."

"Soldier, soldier come from the wars,
I'll down an' die with my true love!"
"The pit we dug'll 'ide 'im an' the twenty men beside 'im --
An' you'd best go look for a new love."

"Soldier, soldier come from the wars,
Do you bring no sign from my true love?"
"I bring a lock of 'air that 'e allus used to wear,
An' you'd best go look for a new love."

"Soldier, soldier come from the wars,
O then I know it's true I've lost my true love!"
"An' I tell you truth again -- when you've lost the feel o' pain
You'd best take me for your true love."
True love! New love!
Best take 'im for a new love,
The dead they cannot rise, an' you'd better dry your eyes,
An' you'd best take 'im for your true love.

Remember Those Who Will Not Be Home This Christmas

In a couple of days we will celebrate the birth of Christ. Christmas day. We'll open brightly wrapped packages, eat til we're stuffed, sing some carols and enjoy friends and family. As we should. As is right and proper. The chance to enjoy this holiday in the warmth and comfort of our homes has been bought and paid for by men and women who will never again feel the embrace of loved ones nor see the joy in their childrens faces upon opening a particularly precious gift. Brought to us by men and women who will spend yet another Christmas away from hearth and home so that we, their beloved countrymen, might have this day in peace. They will ever be in our hearts.




To all those we have lost. How we do miss you.  For all those who are still serving, so far from your loved ones. We love you more than we can say. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Thank you for allowing me to have those I love best near to enjoy our holiday in peace and comfort. Thank you for keeping the faith.

From my family to you and yours may you have a Merry Christmas. We pray that you will find your homes again safely in the new year. May God bless each and every one of you and may we never forget.

Six
DO
Sarge

Remembrance

Counted amongst the Veterans of our nation are the Six, Sarge, and myself, as well as my late Uncle Ken.  The Six, Sarge, and I bought the continued freedom of our nation with our time, Ken paid for it with his life.  For all those men and women that gallantly gave all, we salute you.  

(American Military Cemetery, Normandy France.  Taken by me, on a very emotional day.)

My husband is still active duty, and so my family still serves.  His time away, and our sacrifice is worth it to make sure our shores and way of life are safe.  We as a nation are very lucky to have had so many good men and women feel the same.  I tend towards embarrassment when people  thank me for serving, I'll admit.  My job wasn't that important, and I wasn't in that much danger.  I guess I don't feel that I did any more than anyone else could have.  The Sarge was in 'Nam, for crying out loud.  Sitting in an office all day surfing the internet, Secret internet or not, just doesn't seem that valiant to me.  When I sat in that cemetary I thought not just of what these men gave up, but also the lives affected that went on.  They all gave of themselves, even if some made it home at the end of the day.  And so, yes, they probably said what I'm saying: it wasn't that big a deal, I didn't pay like those boys paid, they are the heroes.  And yet to me they are every bit as heroic.  Their lack of death didn't diminish their efforts in fighting for freedom.  In that vein I try to be more accepting of the thanks of this day.  We serve because we can, to defend those that can't.

~The DO

In Memoriam Kenneth Webb

We remember Major Kenneth Webb, Killed in close action with the enemy on this date, September 19, 2005, near Mosul Iraq.

Ken left behind a wife, 2 kids, mother and father, 3 brothers, 1 sister, a slew of nieces, nephews and cousins and the friends only exceptional people accrue over a life devoted to service to country. There are also now 3 grandchildren he never got a chance to meet in this life.

Beloved son, husband, father, brother, uncle, friend and soldier. Ken did his job to the bitter end and went out as what he was, a Hero and a Warrior. Ken did not go softly into that night, he went down fighting. No warrior can ask for a better epitaph.

We still grieve for our loss but remember that there was no better soldier, hell there was no better man than Ken.

We will ever hold him in our hearts and minds. His loss left a huge and unfillable hole in our lives but such is ever the fate of those who love a warrior. They do not lead lives devoted to self preservation. They seek out and confront evil wherever it may reside and in whatever form it manifests. They and those who love them pay a price, Lord God they do pay a price. The bill will be paid, whether soon or late, and they will be taken from us before we are ready to let them go. As ever, Ken has led the way to a place we dare not follow too quickly.

If you are so inclined I would ask you all to remember Lu and the rest of Ken's family on this day and to keep them in your prayers that they may find peace. While you're at it, please include the families of all our military men and women who have given their 'last true measure of devotion'. And may those still in harms way come home safely to us and their families.

Amen

Six