Two Babes and a Brain

Happy Memorial Day...

Go here and click on A Memorial Day Salute and turn the sound up.

Chris

Memorial Day Thoughts

Yesterday was a hugely busy brunch at the restaurant.  We had people lined up down the sidewalk and around the corner to get in.  It was crazy.  Later in the morning, in walked a couple and their parents.  The man was in his dress whites..obviously coming from church.  I immediately told their server that when she calculates their ticket, his meal was on the house.  She looked perplexed and asked me why.  In my usual snarky tone, I simply said "because he's military," and turned to go do something else. 

Now here is where the difference came in.... here is where I realized that some people out here in the world just dont get it...  She responded, "So."  I spun around and looked at her like she was from another planet and informed her that if it wasn't for guys like that man, we wouldn't be enjoying the freedom to do what we do.  Realizing that she still didn't get it... I just said "Do it."

We had a staff meeting after brunch yesterday and we talked about this incident.  Looking around at all of the young people that work for me and hearing what they had to say, I realized how out of touch they are with the sacrifices that members of the military of this country have made for them.  Now I'm not blaming these kids.  These are some of the greatest young people I have ever met and I love each and every one of them.  But as the Colonel would say...they just don't get it.

On this Memorial Day I just want to let all of you know...especially all of our military readers... I get it.  I know the job you do and the sacrifices that have been made for me and I thank you.   I thank you for keeping me and my family safe.  I thank you for allowing us the freedoms and liberties that we in this country enjoy and sometimes take forgranted...and I thank those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect this country. 

Thank you.

Lisa

Memorial Day...

Usually, we each write a post for Memorial Day. This year everything is up in the air. We've had some changes. Lisa is adjusting to her new life and her new schedule, Colonel Hunt has departed for bigger and better things and I am flat out with kids and work and trying to get my act together before I officially become old on Tuesday.

I sat and thought for a long time about what I wanted to write and no one thing jumped out at me. This Memorial Day is a jumble of thoughts, so that is what you are getting.

I am up early to take my kids to the parade. This year was unique in that I wasn't going to go. I have lunch plans with a friend from college and thought that I would skip it--except my kids won't let me. It's Memorial Day, they told me. It's important to go and say thank you and honor the soldiers, Mom. Every now and then, the stuff you do right comes back to bite you in the butt. :o)

Yesterday, on my way out of the grocery store, I tried to sneak by the two teenagers sitting there collecting money for what I assumed was some sports thing. I heard them ask the lady behind me if she wanted to donate a dollar to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I turned around and went back to buy my poppies. They thanked me for my donation and gave my poppies for my kids and I. I wondered where the veterans were and why it was these disinterested kids doing the poppy thing. It's not like we are short on Vets...

My 9 year old has recently developed that 9 year old fascination with soldiers and war and killing the bad guys. I assume it would have happened even if we weren't currently at war. Young men doing amazing things is always fascinating. My Dad told him the story of how my Grandfather was wounded at the Battle of Metz and captured by the Germans. Eventually, he found his way home with a bum arm and a purple heart. I had never heard the story of how my Papa was wounded.

The Marines under in investigation for criminal acts in Haditha are on my mind lately. I am shocked and appalled and outraged...and heartbroken. Obviously, there can be no excuse for what they are accused of doing but there can be understanding. An impossible job in impossible circumstances...media reports say they were on their third tour...friends blown apart in front of you...constant fear that you will be next...a war where the enemy looks the same as the people you are trying to help...all of this...I think of the things we ask these young men and women to do and the price they pay for it. I think of the missing limbs and the scars we don't see.

I am thankful for our soldiers, impressed by my grandfather's service, proud that my son recognizes some of the great things our military does and saddened for the things that happen to our soldiers as a result of wars. I'm hopeful that one day none of it will be necessary but expect that it always will...

Say thanks to a soldier today. Say a prayer for them. Remember the fallen. Happy Memorial Day.

Chris

Murtha has it right...

Up until Murtha disagreed with the administration no one had a problem with him. According to everyone, he had pretty much been on the right side of the military--something that amazed Republicans and bloggers around the country because he was a Democrat.

That all changed when he, who was respected by all and trusted by the military, used his experience and what his military sources were telling him to the forefront of the debate on Iraq.

And I just want to ask, what the heck is the problem here?

Memorial Day and the DNC...

For the record, I am appalled by the lack of a tribute to our soldiers on the DNC website and I told them so. I sent them the following email:

What the hell is wrong with you? I am a Democrat so don't try to blame this on some wacky conservative. Where is the tribute to fallen soldiers that belongs on this page? Even if you don't believe it you do politics and you are doing it badly. I know the bloggosphere is ridiculous but they are all jumping up and down that you didn't pay tribute to the troops--you bunch of morons--learn to play the game right or get the hell out of the way so someone else can do the damn job. This was a no-brainer. This would have cost you nothing. And you couldn't get your head out of your asses long enough to get it done. I have no idea what is wrong with my party any more.

Chris

Please Take A Minute....

...and scroll down and click on TC Override on our Blog Bud list and see what's happening with our Fighting Aces.  Feel free to send Captain Chuck a comment. 

If you would rather send us an e-mail, we will be happy to send it along with our care packages.  Not all the guys have computer access and we know they would love to get some words of encouragement. 

Thanx so much,

Chris, Lisa & Col. Hunt

Join Two Babes and a Brain In Supporting Our Troops

In honor of Memorial Day, the babes at Two Babes and a Brain are adopting a soldier.  Actually, we've adopted a Captain with a Unit of 66 men--The Fighting Aces. We are very excited about this venture.  These guys are doing a great job and we want to support them by providing some of the things they really need as well as some of the comforts from home.

If you would like to help us help The Fighting Aces we are accepting donations to help in the purchase of some bigger ticket items. We have set up an account through PayPal for your convenience which takes credit cards as well. 100% of your donation that we receive will go towards providing items for the "Fighting Aces".  We hope you will help us give these soldiers the support they deserve.

Thank you for your contribution,

Chris, Lisa and Colonel Hunt

P.S. The Donate Button is in the side bar on the right.

A Post By Colonel Hunt for Memorial Day

It's OK To Cry...

He would shake in bed for hours, cry out names and places that were strange to us but eventually we came to realize they were buddies who did not come back and the places where they died. Places like Iwo Jima, Bogenville, Sipan, Okinawa, and Hill 281. The damn swamp—the flies… “Berry, berry,” he would yell, cry and moan. The Malaria attacks. He had them every year since he came back from World War II and he lived a long, long time. He was the bravest, smartest, most honest man I ever met. He was my Dad.

He had a sweet jump shot, soft hands to catch the ball, deceptive speed and great inside moves. He had deep set eyes that looked right through you. He knew things. He was a 100 percent man’s man and the women lined up around the block to see him pass. He was hit in the chest by a rocket propelled grenade three days after his 21st birthday. He was a better man than me. He was my younger brother.

I will cry when I think of them, which is not as often now as time does heal some wounds. Their loss is beyond measure. One died and did not know it, one was in so many pieces that the casket had to be kept closed.

Memorial Day is a big day for me. For me it is about loss, about pride, about sacrifice, and about not being able to call my brother or Dad and say, "What's up?"

We never say thank you enough. We don’t pay them enough. We take them for granted. You--the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guard, “THANK YOU FOR SAVING OUR LIVES--OUR WAY OF LIFE."

We talk tough and say, “go get them” and most of us have no idea what the fear and boredom you experience almost every minute you are gone can and does do to you. We make laws and speeches while you quietly get your legs blown off. Thank you for giving part of your body and soul so that we may act like idiots on TV and care more about a hamburger commercial than your missing limbs.

Hug them, throw money at them, or buy them a dinner. Wave to them at the airport, send them gifts or not--but stop yelling at them. This and every war is not their war; it is our war. They are just the brave sons of bitches who volunteered to fight it for us.

Memorial Day should be everyday. I cry because it is not.