On my drive home from work, today.....

I noticed these things and thought that I would share.

Poor Lad

Poor Lad (a poem)

A mother weeps with tears that burn,
From her son’s death will she not learn?
Will she then honor what she lost,
Pay tribute to his personal cost?
Or will she use his death to preach,
Perched on his coffin will she screech,
And damn the cause her dead son served,
Her special spot in hell reserved?

There are those many who agree,
This mother has a voice that’s free,
To vent her anger scream her sorrow,
Remind us all of death’s tomorrow.
But what of those men fighting there?
Must they this mother’s anger bear?
Mad mother questioning what they do,
Who disrespects our valiant few.

I’m tired of her public pass to grieve,
From the media world, she now should leave,
And give her son’s poor soul some rest,
Stop undermining our bravest best,
Who fight to let this woman speak,
To let her scream, to let her shriek,
Her misguided hatred of her nation.
And the very ones give her salvation.

Oh, Cindy please fade into night,
And cease your rage against the light,
That illuminates your dead son’s goal,
The saving grace that guards his soul,
Which sadly you can’t seem to see,
What he sought most is victory;
A victory that his buddies won,
Now they, not you, salute your son.

How tragic that a soldier’s death should be so poorly used;
Poor lad, so sad, so tragically, by his mother so abused.

Russ Vaughn
2d Bn, 327th Parachute Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne Division Vietnam 65-66

Month of the Military Child

I am ashamed to say, that I wasn't aware that this was the Month of the Military Child. I hope that this post makes up for it, in some small way.

Video Greetings from Troops to Their Children Organizations for Youth

Chairman's Letter Salutes Military Children

I want to take this opportunity to recognize the extraordinary contributions of our Nation’s military families, who have faced many challenges—from family separations to frequent moves—with great courage. I would especially like to acknowledge a special source of inspiration: children of military families. You are patient and understanding when duty calls and your Mom or Dad cannot attend a soccer game, music recital, birthday party, or other important family or school activity. You are heroes in a quiet, thoughtful way, and I am grateful for the unconditional love you give your Mom and Dad. Many of you have experienced the sad and sometimes frightening experience of having your Mom or Dad far from home, serving around the globe in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. Through your personal courage and support, you serve this Nation too – and I am proud of you! Frequent moves are a way of life for the military child. It is never easy to say goodbye to friends and familiar routines, to begin again in a new school, a new neighborhood – and sometimes a new country! But your resilience and self-confidence are strengths that others admire, including your parents. Growing up in a military family offers some challenges, but it also provides some special rewards. You can be proud of your Mom and Dad for their brave defense of this great country. Your love and support sustains them. So thank you for being there for Mom and Dad. You are American patriots and role models for us all. PETER PACE General, United States Marine Corps Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Texas Wildflowers

The bluebonnets were blooming in North Texas today, joining other wildflowers already in bloom.

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Paying Attention to Detail

All of my life, I've tried to follow a lesson that I learned from observing my father. I try to pay attention to the little details in nature. Not just the broader canvas. But, the brush strokes that God used to paint the scene before us.

So it was, that on my drive home today, I noticed and stopped to photograph a clump of Indian Paintbrush. I'm sure that many of my fellow commuters wondered what must be going through my mind.

I thought about how nice that it would be to saddle up that tall, beautiful bay horse with the white blaze on it's forehead, that I once owned, and ride out with my best friend beside me, through the waving prairie grass blanketed by Texas wildflowers, feeling the spring sun against our faces and the soft breeze at our backs.

I felt warm, good and all because of a clump of flowers that made me think of Dad, my best friend and thoughtful about how sad my life would be without having known them.

I wondered why I was the only one to notice.

DFW Airport Welcomes Soldiers Home

This short video show soldiers being welcomed home, 4/6/06, at DFW airport. It isn't close to how long or how loud the welcome is. It was the same welcome for a single soldier who walked through the door. It is my priviledge to work where I can be a part of this kind of support for our military.

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There was a couple waiting close by. They were flying to Germany to see their son, before he deployed to Iraq. I persuaded them to wait until the first soldiers came through. I didn't tell them this, but, I wanted them to see how this country feels about their son's service. So, that they could tell him. When I left, I said goodbye to the mother. By then, she was standing in line, waiving a small American flag and crying. Do you think that maybe she'll hug her son a little harder? I hope so.

The camera didn't do it justice. These volunteers do this over and over. They never seem to grow weary of it.