| Here are some of our Prayers and Poems |
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| Poems by Jack Hodge |
| A Military Parents Prayer Please oh Lord Keep my child safe He/She heard Your calling to defend our country Please oh Lord Keep my child strong and Return him/her to me soon In your Holy name I pray Amen |
| Dear God My Mommy/Daddy had to go away. They told me that my Mommy/Daddy had to fight the bad people that hurt the people in the towers. So could you please keep them safe and send her/him home to me soon. Amen |
| Jack Hodge sent this story to us and I just felt that it needed to be posted on here. It really makes you think about what these men and women in the Military fight for everyday. They fight for our FREEDOM. Let's all make them aware that we are truly proud of them for what they do and lets not take for granted that they are fighting for US! |
| I sat in the seat of my Boeing 767 waiting for everyone to hurry and stow their carry-ons and grab a seat so we could start what I was sure to be a long, uneventful flight home. With the huge capacity and slow moving people taking their time to stuff luggage far too big for the overhead and never paying much attention to holding up the growing line behind them. I simply shook my head, knowing that this flight was not starting out very well. I was anxious to get home to see my loved ones so I was focused on my issues and just felt like standing up and yelling for some of these clowns to get their act together. I knew I couldn't say a word so I just thumbed through the "Sky Mall" magazine from the seat pocket in front of me. You know it's really getting rough when you resort to the over priced, useless "Sky Mall" to break the monotony. With everyone finally seated, we just sat there with the cabin door open and no one in a hurry to get us going, although we were well past the scheduled take off time. "No wonder the air line industry is in trouble," I told myself. Just then, the attendant came on the intercom to inform us all that we were being delayed. The entire plane let out a collective groan. She resumed speaking to say, "We are holding the aircraft for some very special people who are on their way to the plane and the delay shouldn't be more than 5 minutes." The word came after waiting six times as long as we were promised that I was finally going to be on my way home. Why the hoopla over "these" folks? I was expecting some celebrity or sports figure to be the reason for the hold up....." Just get their butts in a seat and let's hit the gas," I thought. The attendant came back on the speaker to announce in a loud and excited voice that we were being joined by several U.S. Marines returning home from Iraq!!!! Just as they walked on board, the entire plane erupted into applause. The men were a bit taken by surprise by the 340 people cheering for them as they searched for their seats. They were having their hands shook and touched by almost everyone who was in an arms distance of them as they passed down the aisle. One elderly woman kissed the hand of one of the Marines as he passed her. The applause, whistles and cheering didn't stop for a long time. When we were finally airborne, I was not the only civilian checking his conscience as to the delays in "me" getting home, finding "my" easy chair, a cold beverage and the remote in "my" hand. These men had done for all of us and I had been complaining silently about "me" and "my" issues. I took for granted the everyday freedoms that I enjoy and the conveniences of the American way of life. I took for granted that others had paid the price for my ability to moan and complain about a few minutes delay to "me," while those Heroes were going home to their loved ones. I attempted to get my selfish outlooks in order, and minutes before we landed, I suggested to the attendant that she announce over the speaker a request for everyone to remain in their seats until our Heroes were allowed to gather their things and be first off the plane. The cheers and applause continued until the last Marine stepped off and we all rose to go about out too often taken for granted everyday freedoms. I felt proud of them. I felt it an honor and a privilege to be among the first to welcome them home and say "Thank you for a job well done." I vowed that I will never forget that flight nor the lesson I learned. I can't say it enough. THANK YOU to those Veterans and active service men and women who may read this and a prayer for those who cannot because they are no longer with us. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!! |
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