What it means to be away from home:
A year ago, I sat in a Marine Corps chow hall, looking at a giant turkey made out of who knows what and covered in corn flakes. It was a great attempt to make you feel good during a time when you realize your loved ones were gathering for a nice meal, some red wine and great times. I remember sitting with my friends, my other family, seven thousand miles from home, in a war that the average anonymous guy does not understand, wishing I were home. For that instant, time stood still; the fear of a rocket attack passed as I sat on my plastic seat, eating a tray full of turkey and dressing made by the cooks who haven’t a clue as to what Thanksgiving is all about, but who try. I only thought about my family and friends who were still fast asleep in bed. I looked around and watched these young men and women as they bowed their heads to pray; some did the sign of the cross. I understand now that they, too, are were thinking the same thing as they sat there with an M-16 strapped across their back, weighed down with a twenty-some pound flak jacket and Kevlar helmet, heads bowed, lips moving.
They say that there are no atheists in combat and I believed it as I witnessed each person sit and pray. Iraq is now passing into the evening just as the sun starts its slow march over the horizon to wake up America into a new day. Thanksgiving Day. What are you thankful for? I’m thankful now that I was able to serve my country; that I have a wife who would support my going back into the Marines; children who love their daddy, and parents who support their son through thick and thin. I’m thankful for the loyal corps of supporters I made friends with last year who not only took care of my Marines and me, but countless others. I’m thankful that there are young men and women in our country as I type this, who knowing all the dangers military life involves, still choose to join the service with about a ninety percent chance of going to combat. They weren’t drafted. They, on their own volition, raised their right hand and took an oath to serve. They are my Heroes and have accomplished more in their lives then most Americans can dream of.
They will make better citizens out of our fellow countrymen; maybe run for office one day remembering this day, Thanksgiving, one of the many holidays they will be gone from friends and family. To all the men and women of every branch who are over in harms’ way, I will pray for your safe return tomorrow as we bow our heads here in the U.S. over our dinner. You all are the only heroes this country has right now. When the job is over and we leave Iraq and Afghanistan, you will still earn the respect of many people for many decades. They will make movies about this war, write books and as the dust of time passes, it to will be recognized for what it was–the western world against the Islamic Fascists. When the IED’s start exploding on I-95 south of DC, only then will the rest of this broken country come to understand what you were up against. They will start praying for our help then.
Happy Thanksgiving to our Marines/Troops/Airmen and Sailors and God Bless you!!
The SandGram 
November 23, 2006 at 5:19 am
Taco,
I’ve been struggling all day with what to write my nephew via moto mail. He’s a Navy Corpsman in western Iraq with the Marines right now. I write to him almost every day and today I’ve logged in and logged out without writing anything. He knows that I’m so darn proud of him. He knows that I love him. He knows that I miss him. And, I know that he would love to be home with us around the table sharing the fellowship, food and drink.
It didn’t help my “mood” any when I went to the supermarket today proudly wearing one of my Army sweatshirts and had two idiots make comments to me about how sad it was that our “little boys” were at war and should be home during the holidays.
I guess my bottom line without writing a book is that everyone who does sit around that table tomorrow with their families and friends should not only remember our brave men and women who, as you pointed out, VOLUNTEERED to serve our nation are fighting to ensure our freedom and security but that they also say a prayer of thanks for EACH of them and their safe return home from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Thankful doesn’t even begin to express my emotion for each of you.
I echo your words – Happy Thanksgiving to ALL of our brave Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen.
November 23, 2006 at 6:36 am
Thankyou Taco, Leghound and all our troops and veterana who have spent Thanksgivings away from home for us. We give thanks for you everyday.
November 23, 2006 at 12:51 pm
That is a beautiful post, Taco.
Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your brothers, near and far.
November 23, 2006 at 12:56 pm
Today I am thankful for the honor of having my AnySoldier Soldier spend Thanksgiving with my family. He also was in Iraq last year, and we’ve kept in contact even after he came home. He’s flying in from Ft. Drum to Newark, to his NJ family, and tomorrow we will take him into Philadelphia so he can see the Liberty Bell and Independece Hall. He’s never seen either- how ironic, that my 20 year old Soldier son has never seen the emblems of freedom, yet fought in Baghdad for a year….
… and yes, he will have the cheese steak he was craving in Baghdad last year…
… and yes, he too will be one of the thousands that run up the Art Museum steps and get his picture taken by Rocky…
We will love him the best we can, because he is so very dear to us.
I am thankful for the freedoms that have been preserved one more year, by brave men and women who serve a purpose greater than themselves.
It is a good thing to have a whole day for thanking God. One day only scratches the surface for the myriad blessings we enjoy.
Thank you, Lord.
November 23, 2006 at 3:54 pm
Taco – thank you for expressing our feelings so eloquently, for your service, and for your family’s support. My heart goes out to all deployed troops and their families – we will always remember and honor you.
Jenny – give your Soldier a special hug and thanks from all of us.
November 23, 2006 at 4:36 pm
happy turkey day to all,and lets not,and im sure you wont forget our troops
November 23, 2006 at 4:40 pm
You say it all so well Taco!
Thank you for your service and I’m happy you are home to enjoy friends and family this year.
Thanks to all who serve and miss those important family days both large and small!
November 23, 2006 at 5:50 pm
My sincere thanks, gratitude and prayers to all who are in harm’s way, you will be in my heart as we sit down to our meal and give thanks for all we have. To Taco and those who are now home, I’m sure you will enjoy the blessings of being with family and friends.
November 23, 2006 at 8:50 pm
Happy Thanksgiving, Taco Bell. Please pass my Thanksgiving cheer to your fabulous mother as well.
November 24, 2006 at 3:47 am
Well said as always. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours Taco! God bless our troops!
November 24, 2006 at 8:42 am
Amen