BLESSED ARE THE SOLDIERS ~~~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlJP4FXZngU
At the time when the towers turned to dust
The Army sent his father to Asia
On the steps his loving mother sat
Praying time would bring her sergeant back
Playing ball in Little League that day
He wasn’t home when the two lieutenants came
They rang the bell, then found themselves inside
And what they said made his mother cry
“We regret to tell you that your husband has died
He lost his life in a firefight on the 4th of July
She wiped back the teardrops that were falling from her eyes
And said, “Blessed are the soldiers who defend the Stars and Stripes”
(Turnaround)
He finished school, then headed to Fort Knox
He knew the training there would be top-notch
On the steps his loving mother sat
Praying time would bring her hero back
In sixteen months, when he came home again
He rolled his chair up a ramp made just for him
He reached the door and wheeled himself inside
And what he said made his mother cry
“I forgot to tell you that I’ve lost some of my sight
More than just my legs were hit when the bomb went off that night’
She wiped back the teardrops that were falling from her eyes
And said, “Blessed are the soldiers who defend the Stars and Stripes”
Tag: She wiped back the teardrops that were falling from her eyes
And said, “Blessed are the soldiers who defend the Stars and Stripes”
© Jim Flynn Music
BECAUSE YOU LIVE
© Paula A. Burnett , 2008
Bodies, minds, and souls are fragile
This is my body broken for you
This is my blood shed for you
Like Christ and many others, I have put myself in harm’s way
So that goodness and peace shall be known one day.
Americans, Iraqis, and Afghans
All want the same things in life and to be free
All want the opportunity to be the best they can be
U.S. military men and women live to serve
Now some are home and the very best they do deserve.
Sacrifices, longing for home, and hearts touched in foreign lands
Son, husband
Brother, friend
Because you gave, so many will be saved
Because you live, so many will see courage embodied.
MAINETROOPGREETERS.COM offers this program to honor our troops who deployed to the Middle East through Bangor, Maine but were unable to return with their unit through Bangor because they were wounded fighting for our country. When troops leave the lounge area to return to their aircraft we tell them we will be waiting to welcome them back to the USA. When they don't come back through Bangor we miss them and want them to know that they still owe us a visit. Most of all we want them to know that they have the love and support of a grateful nation. The "I Owe Bangor, ME a Visit" program, developed by Bud & Lynne Tower and Dee (Winthrop-Denning) Maples, is hosted by Mainetroopgreeters.com and the American Legion Post 200 in Hermon, Maine. Each of these troops will be sent a welcome home package and recognized on
http://www.mainetroopgreeters.com.
If you deployed through Bangor, ME and WERE UNABLE TO RETURN THROUGH HERE with your unit DUE TO BEING WOUNDED IN ACTION please contact us either through email at mtglegion@Yahoo.com, or send a note to Mainetroopgreeters.com, P.O. Box 246, Brewer, ME 04412. Without you or your family contacting us we have no way of knowing of your situation and if you deployed through Bangor, ME. Those of us at Mainetroopgreeters.com and American Legion Post 200 would like to have the honor of thanking you and welcoming you home.
The T-shirt logo incorporates an outline of the State of Maine overlaid by the stars and stripes which is the official logo of Mainetroopgreeters.com as designed and generously donated by Kenneth Kroesser. We would also like to thank 'Cutlers Embroidery' of Bangor for assisting us with the t-shirt design.
OUR FIRST RECIPIENT:
Major Herbert Joliat, 1st Special Troops Battalion Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.
On September 26, 2007 Major Joliat, in Iraq as a Civil Services Officer, was on a humanitarian mission. Finished for the day, Major Joliat returned to his humvee and as he was getting in he spotted a little girl. He turned to reach for a doll to give to the child and it was then that he took a bullet in the arm ... a bullet that would have proven fatal had he not been reaching for the doll.
While on his second tour in Iraq, (he also served one tour in Afghanistan), Major Herbert A. Joliat was awarded the 'Bronze Star Medal' and the 'Army Commendation Medal with Valor' for valorous acts while assisting with the medical treatment of a soldier in Tarmiyah, Iraq. Major Joliat’s actions and efforts as a leader assisted in saving the life of a fellow soldier, providing medical aid to two critically wounded Iraqi interpreters and extinguishing the engulfing flames of a burning M1114 to recover the body of a fallen comrade. While under enemy fire during a catastrophic IED attack, his calm and collected performance under intense combat stress and pressure inspired his patrol to take action and reflects great credit upon him, the 1st Special Troops Battalion Brigade and the United States Army.
Major Joliat, his wife and two daughters reside in Harker Heights , TX. He is the son of troop greeters, Melody and Philip Joliat of Holden, Maine
Our deepest appreciation to RITA POTTER, a troop greeter and volunteer at the Bangor Ronald McDonald House when in Maine and a volunteer at the Fisher House on Fort Sam Houston when in Texas, for getting these shirts into the hands of our wounded warriors shown in the next five pictures.
Rita writes that these brave men "are all wonderful, worrying about their buddies back in Iraq and Afghanistan, wishing they were with them! Please think of them in your prayers".
Rita is also a loving Mom and grandmother and she embraces her troops as such. Rita's son is currently serving in Iraq. Thank you Rita for all you do to help our sons and daughters.
Rita is shown here welcoming a couple of troops to Bangor.
PFC Matthew Zajac
20 years old, 2nd ID
Injured in Baghdad May 3, 2007
Currently at B.A.M.C.
Matt lost his right leg at the hip and left leg just below the knee as well as injuring his right arm. Matt wrote, “Thank you to American Legion Post 200 for your help and support”. We thank YOU, Matt, and we'll be eternally grateful to you for your service and for the sacrifices you have made on our behalf.
Rita reports that Matt has a marvelous attitude and is always encouraging others.
E-5 Thomas James injured on April 27, 2007 in Samarra, Iraq. James is from Three Rivers, TX where he lives with his wife, Gloria (shown here with James), and son Thomas Lee James, Jr.
Although this hero lost his left leg and suffered many other injuries, he wants to stay in the Army and be a drill sergeant. According to Rita, “he definitely has the will for it”!
James sends the following message to all his military brothers and sisters, “I hope you all have a safe deployment and a speedy return. Godspeed, see you on the high ground”!
Sgt. Nick McCoy, U.S. Army Airborne from Reading, PA
Nick suffered serious injuries in his head, arms, and upper body. He also lost both legs one above the knee, the other below the knee.
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