Inspirational Videos that have been suggested by our members
If you come across an inspirational video and you'd like to share it with other Marine families, simply forward the link to cmichel@mcfscoh.org.
INSPIRATION COMES IN OTHER FORMS... Enjoy
"Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time. As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. "No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago. His friend agreed. I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. "Take a lunch to all those soldiers." She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. "My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing this for him."picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, "Which do you like best--beef or chicken?"
Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.
When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!
Soon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. "It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You."
The young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...
Author Unknown
"Bootprints"
by Barb
He steps onto the bootprints
embedded in the sand
Bootprints of another who has walked that dusty
land.
It is his turn to "cycle in" his journey's just begun
It's time to
relieve his brother and the job that he has done.
The battle will continue
on, the long months lie ahead
It's time to send his brother home, to stand
his place instead.
In silence they exchange a glance, each passes by the
other
Unspoken words of gratitude, Semper Fi, OoRah, my
brother.
Bootprints of another kind, belonging to their "Mothers"
As
one steps off, the other on, they wonder about each other.
They've shared the
same emotions, just both at different times
It is her son that's coming home,
the one deploying is mine.
And yet I know within my heart, when needed she
will step
Back upon those bootprints, and not with one regret!
And so in
time I will accept the torch that's passed to me
And carry it with endearing
pride for our sons across the sea.
by Leah
Ross
My hands held you safe
when I was all you needed,
And reached for you
when I was not
My hands held tight to
yours when you first "walked"
And clenched each other
when you walked "alone"
They held the first
book you read alone, and the last one you studied to graduate.
They pulled your
pond-wet socks up over mismatched sneakers
And tried in vain to
get your shirt tucked in
They held your pet "du
jour" carefully while you hunted for its food
And dug a hole in the
dirt when it died.
My hands rubbed your
legs, aching first from growing pains, then lacrosse pains,
Held you close when you
got your first broken bone,
Still closer for your
first broken heart.
My hands cut your hair,
and then ran through it
Wiped your brow to show
your eyes clearly.
They washed blood away,
and the tears that followed.
My busy hands that
raised a man, sit quietly now.
Not able to rush to
aid, or comfort, or accomplish. They are still,
Save for the quiet,
dark hours they join in fervent prayer,
Asking God to hug my
boy in his sleep at night, so he would wake feeling
his mother's
touch.
Asking Him to hold you,
close while in your barracks, tight while in
battle.
Unceasing prayer to the
only Parent able to mother you now,
And the One who knows
the great pain of letting go of a Son.
THEY RAISED THE FLAG
with five friends, climbed the rocky crag...went to the top to plant the flag.
February 23rd during World War II these six men had a job to do,
raise the flag and raise it well, but first they had to go through hell.
A Navy corpsman and five Marines became one of our nation's historic scenes.
They made their way to the mountain top, through bombs and bullets, they would not stop.
They attached the flag to a pole they'd found and prepared to thrust it into the ground
Six brave men working as one...the flag was up, the job was done.
Raising the flag had been completed...but the enemy was not yet defeated.
Another month would go by and three of the flag raiser sadly would die.
Mike Strank, Franklin Sousley and Harlon Block too..died on the island to the Corps they were true.
Rene Gagnon, Ira Hayes and the corpsman Jack Bradley...survived the battle but were battered badly.
Six men among many who answered the call...three did survive and three did fall,
although weep because they died...let their deeds fill our hearts with pride.
By Robert Cowan USMC 1966-70
Poem completed December 10, 2003
I AM A MARINE MOM
I share my son's pride in the Marine Corps.
My son has conquered the most challenging military training program the United States has to offer.
The Eagle, Globe and Anchor give testimony to his title: Leader of Men - United States Marine.
He has taken his place among the history's Marines
Who have made the world free just hearing the words: "The Marines have landed, and the situation is well in hand.
I am proud than in an age that scorns fighting men, he chose
To be ready to defend his country.
Although I can never fully understand his devotion to this fighting Fraternity,
I realize that the closed corners of his heart and mind are no
Threat to our family.
That without this dedication to the word Marine;
and all it stands for-Honor, courage, patriotism, and devotion to duty,
He would not be the man he is.
I try to be familiar with the job so I can appreciate his abilities.
I wait when tours of duty separate him from our family.
I pray for his success in his career and for his safe return.
I hope the he fulfills his potential and that I will never be a deterrent.
I share a common bond with those mothers who waited
During Belleau Wood, Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Iwo Jima, Inchon,
Vietnam, Beirut,Grenada...
Knowing one day I may be the one waiting.
I choose to let the possibility of loss allow me to love my son completely.
My son has earned the right to be called "United States Marine.
He has been tested and found not lacking.
May I be worthy of the title "Marine Mom.
May God Bless those who claim the title United States Marine.
For what you do and are willing to do,
may we be all always fully grateful.
Author Unknown
You see me every day going about life as usual - or so it appears. I rub
shoulders with you at work. I shop at Home Depot and the grocery store. I fill
my car at the corner gas station. You might see me anywhere. Don't be deceived:
My life has not been "normal" for months. I am the Father of an
American Marine. Although I continue the routines of life, I do so with a
burdened heart and distracted mind. There are some telltale signs of who I am.
I'm the one with the blue star pin on my clothing alongside another pin of the
Stars and Stripes. It has been there since my son enlisted. Even though the war
is supposedly over, my son may end up in a place where bullets and grenades are
still killing our Marines. I am determined to wear my blue star until he comes
home, because it reminds me to pray for him every minute. When you see me
wearing that pin, please stop and whisper a prayer for him and all the others
still there. My house is the one with the yellow ribbons in the tree in the
yard and one on the mail post. There is an American flag on a pole proudly
displayed out front. The car in the drive has a POW/MIA magnet on the rear
hatch and a crossed yellow ribbon magnet next to it. When you drive by a house
of this description, please pray for the son or daughter overseas and for the
parents waiting inside for their child to come home. To those of you who have
posted yellow ribbons at your house or in the windows of your schools, thank you.
It warms my heart every time I see your expressions of support for our troops.
One of the hardest things about being the Father of an American Marine is
living 1,500 miles (how bout 2600 miles!) away from the post of my son's unit.
Wives usually live on or near the fort, where they can glean support from
others in the same situation. But a Father may live across the nation, so he
feels totally alone. Letters rarely make their way home, and if they do, it is
weeks after they were written. Every week is like a roller coaster ride that I
want to get off but will endure for my son’s future and the future of our
country. When I read or hear a Marine has been killed somewhere in the world
and his name has not been released pending notification of kin, restlessness,
depression and insomnia rule my life until 24 hours have passed and the men in
dress uniforms have not appeared at my door. I pray constantly they will never
come. You may see the dark circles under my eyes or even tears glistening in
them. As a Father I am seen as 'the strong one' and the 'protector of his
family' but deep inside, this Father's heart is aching for the son so far from
home, fighting for the freedom's so many back here forget. I am there among
you, trying to carry on some semblance of a normal life. Like so many
others, I am the PROUD Father of an American Marine.
Reverend
Rory "Preacher" Wilson
US Army Field Artillery/EOD 77-80
State Chaplain
Task Force Omega of Ohio, Inc
District One
7478 Cincinnati Dayton Rd.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45069
Reverend Wilson is reaching out to any of you who read this who would like to talk about it, or who just needs a shoulder, or an understanding voice. He can be reached at:
Most of us already know Jacquie Lawson's wonderful e-cards--this one has a decidedly patriotic theme!
Looking for Military E-Cards?
Here are some good sources
(please note, some are free, some require membership)
You know you are a Marine Mom or Dad When...
..Your last good night's sleep was 6 months before he/she left for boot camp
...You have finally resigned yourself to the fact that Marine mail is delivered seasonally rather than daily
....Your Marine gives you ironing tips
. .Your Marine's version of pneumonia is "It's just a cold, I'm fine
....You realize the Marine Corps cure-all is Motrin
....You can't quite figure out what non-Marine parents worry about
....You finally realize that Drill Instructors are not the anti-Christ and are more like heroes.
...You forget there are TV stations other than Fox News
...You find yourself bragging to friends about your Marine's accuracy with an M-16
....You get in a high speed chase just to catch up with someone else's Marine Corps bumper stickers.
...When everyting in your closet has Marine Mom or Marine Dad on it and if it doesn't you put pins and yellow ribbons on it
.....When you recognize the haircut and ask if you can hug or handshake because your son is deployed
....You tell your nephews they need a "high and tight"
....You buy a good flagpole for the front yard and fly the American flag and the USMC flag 24/7, lighted, and money is no object
....Every conversation with another Marine parent starts with "How's the Marine?"
...You tear up every time you see someone in uniform
....When you have no small children, but you search toy stores for Marine G.I. Joes and buy them
....When the post office personnel know you by your first name
....When your son/daughter is in Iraq and you dial his/her cell phone so you can hear his/her voice on his/her outgoing message
...When you always know what time it is in Iraq, Okinawa, San Diego and Parris Island
...You don't mind the long lines at the post office because you are NOT leaving until you get that care package mailed to your Marine
... ...When the phone rings you don't answer it unless the caller ID shows it is your Marine and then you run over husband/wife, cats, dogs, small children and little old ladies to answer the phone, no matter what injuries any of them may sustain in the process
....You purchase Marine shirts for grandparents, aunts, uncles, neices and nephews
....Your son/daughter, who had such a messy room growing up that it was a health hazard, informs you on a visit home that you flunked inspection because of a little dust
....When your Marine calls YOU for information because he knows you'll get it from the other parents
....You don't miss the President exiting Marine 1 because you are just peering closely to see the Marines in dress blues at the bottom of the stairs
....You are mopping the kitchen floor and your son walks in and says "You call that cleaning?"
...You have a blue star banner proudly displayed in your picture window
....You search military websites for any news of where your son or daughter might be or have been just a few days before.
..Your cell phone ring tone is either the USMC Hymm or "An American Soldier"
....You taped the Marine's Toys for Tots commercial where the little boy tells the Marine "you really are Santa Claus" and you cry every time you see it
....Your weather check page includes Doha, Kuwait, Baghdad, Okinawa, Parris Island or San Diego
....You stalk a man at the grocery store in a Marine cap so you can tell him about your Marine
....You find a way to work into every
conversation that your son/daughter is a Marine. "Would you like to
supersize that ma'am?" "No, but speaking of super, did you know that
my son/daughter is a Marine?"
...You leave a special message to your
Marine in your outgoing voicemail/answering machine. "If this is John I
miss you and I love you!"
... You stand in the checkout line with
a cart full of Easy Mac, protein bars, and snuff and people stare at you and
wonder what kind of strange diet you are on
...You sleep with your phone in your hand
...Your boss asks if you are finished with your project and you say "good to go ma'am!"
...You go out to your mail box with your reading glasses and a letter opener
... You wait for what seems like years for that first phone call from your Marine and then when you miss it by going out for the newspaper you lay on the floor and sob uncontrollably
... You don't really "sweat the small stuff". Just that fact that your Marine is in the same hemisphere is enough to make you do the happy dance
...You insist that your Marine wear their
uniform to have a family portrait taken at Sears Photography Studio,
you get
there before your son/ daughter does and when you see them walking through the
sales floor - in full uniform - you proudly and loudly announce, to the entire
store, that 'that Marine is MY BABY!
...The proudest moment in your life is when your son/daughter calls and tells you he/she is the most hated DI in the platoon
...You tell your family that "chow" is on the table
...When you try to read aloud to others the "You Know You are a Marine Mom or Dad When..." list but you can't because of the lump in your throat and the tears in your eyes.
When God created a United States Marine,
it was into the sixth day
of overtime. An angel appeared and said, "You're having a lot of trouble
with this one. What's wrong with the standard model?" And the Lord
replied, "Have you seen the specs on this order?"
"What's it for?" asked the angel. "It's for joy, sadness,
disappointment, frustration, pain, loneliness and pride." "You're a
genius!" exclaimed the angel. The Lord looked at her somberly and replied,
"I didn't put it there."
It has to be able to think independently, yet be able to take orders; have the
qualities of both a military mind and a compassionate heart; be a leader of
junior Marines and learn from seniors; run on black coffee; handle critical ops
without a Military Procedure Manual; be able to manage a difficult subordinate,
an irate supervisor and a demanding OIC; have the patience of a saint and six
pairs of hands, not to mention the strength of
three its size."
The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands - no
way!" And the Lord answered, "Don't worry, we'll make other Marines
to help. Besides, it's not the hands which are causing the problem. It's the heart.
It must swell with pride when other Marines do well, sustain the incredible
hardship of combat, beat on soundly when it's too tired to do so, and be strong
enough to continue to carry on when he's given all he's had."
"Lord," said the angel touching the Lord's sleeve gently, "Come
to bed!"
"I can't," said the Lord. "I'm so close to creating something
unique. Already I have one who can complete a 26-mile forced march with full
pack, handle a 9mm and an M16 with astounding accuracy, conduct land navigation
in the dark, and operate field communications."
The angel circled the model of the Marine very slowly. "It's too
serious," she sighed. "But tough," said the Lord excitedly,
"You cannot imagine what this Marine can do or endure." "Can it
feel?" asked the angel. "Can it feel!" replied the Lord.
"It loves the Corps and country like no other!"
Finally the angel bent over and ran her finger across the Marine's cheek.
"There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told you you're trying to
put too much into this model." "That's not a leak," said the
Lord. "That's a tear."
This one is in rememberance of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam and whose names are inscribed on the Vietnam Wall in Washington D.C. VERY emotional.
www.operationiraqichildren.org
This site was created by Actor Gary Sinese who is very active in support of our troops
Here's another site that is very inspirational.
