“I’m Still Willing To Die For That Inch…”

April 28, 2007

Has anyone ever wondered about the personal strength and dedication it takes to be a soldier, fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan? Has anyone ever wondered where our troops have the intestinal fortitude to fight against seemingly insurmountable odds, against the terrorists in those countries? Has anyone ever wondered how our troops manage to continue to “soldier on” when all they hear in the media is about how they should give up the fight and come home? Has anyone ever wondered, how our troops manage to fight for yet another day, even after seeing their friends injured and killed? Has anyone ever wondered how our troops manage to keep going, when they hear in the news that the politicians are withholding the funding that is needed to continue to provide them with the equipment they need to perform their duties? Has anyone ever wondered how our troops can manage to remain steadfast, in the face of constant criticism from the press, the public and sometimes their friends and neighbors? Has anyone ever wondered where our troops find the courage to face down the enemy that is set on destroying them and their brothers and sisters in arms? Has anyone ever wondered how despite all the negative things that they are constantly bombarded with, that our troops serve this nation with pride, courage, and dedication? Has anyone ever wondered, why, in the face of all of the negative publicity, in face of all the hatred from their fellow Americans, our troops continue to risk their lives to ensure that their fellow Americans can continue to speak badly about them and their mission and sometimes even hate them? Has anyone ever wondered how our troops, can love their country and their fellow Americans so much that they’re willing to lay down their own lives, to protect them? Has anyone ever wondered why our troops are so willing to lay down their lives to share the freedoms we enjoy as Americans with those less fortunate than us, in other Nations?

Even though Al Pacino’s words in this narrative are from the movie Any Given Sunday, about a professional football team, perhaps it will shed some light on those questions. Perhaps by watching this clip, a person can understand the mindset of our troops, so very much like a football team. Perhaps is will shed some light on the internal strength, courage, committment and honor that our troops rely on each and every day, to continue their jobs, despite seemingly insurmountable odds. Perhaps it will shed some light on the ideal that as a team, they can overcome any obstacle, any challenge, any evil and come out on top. The thought that the very ideals our country was founded on are worth fighting for and worth risking their lives for. The ideal that the precious gifts that our forefathers have given to us, is worth fighting to ensure that people of other nations have the opportunity to taste even a small portion of the freedoms that we so easily take for granted in our country. Some of us understand this dedication very well, others still haven’t figured it out. Regardless of where you’re at, think about all of this, REALLY think about all of this, as you watch this video….

Comments

24 Responses to ““I’m Still Willing To Die For That Inch…””

  1. David M on April 28th, 2007 6:35 pm

    Trackbacked by The Thunder Run - Web Reconnaissance for 04/28/2007
    A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.
    This is the Weekend Edition of the Web Reconnaissance it is updated periodically throughout the weekend as time and family permits.

  2. CommanderMom on April 28th, 2007 10:47 pm

    Great Post, Terri , and YES, I wonder all those things, everyday. I have seen that they are among the best of the best; courageous, selfless, and true American patriots. They are such a strong, intelligent, resilient, and resourceful(etc., etc.) bunch! And I am so proud to be married to an Army Soldier.

  3. CavMom on April 30th, 2007 7:09 am

    Thanks for the ‘heads-up’ on this post! Inch by inch…

  4. Sorting my thoughts « 2nd Verse - Same as the 1st on April 30th, 2007 7:19 am

    [...] Until then, please check out Terri’s post at A Soldier’s Mind  [...]

  5. Terri on April 30th, 2007 7:25 am

    My pleasure CavMom. How are things going with you and your little trooper? When does he go back?

  6. CommanderMom on April 30th, 2007 10:53 am

    Watched the video, again. Amen. It leaves me speechless.

  7. CavMom on April 30th, 2007 11:43 am

    Sadly enough he has already gone…

    I did manage to get him to dress up to go to dinner at Fogo’s :D

    http://cavmom.wordpress.com/2007/04/30/stealing-one-more-hug/

    Marty is heading home this month, right?

  8. Terri on April 30th, 2007 11:47 am

    Yes he is! He’s slated to be home around the 15th or 16th. Once he’s home, I’ll be AWOL until he heads back.

  9. CavMom on April 30th, 2007 12:38 pm

    Fantastic, enjoy your time with him and give him a hug from me!

  10. Terri on April 30th, 2007 12:41 pm

    I’ll do that. Gonna try to get him to let me take some pictures. LOL! He’s a camera hater when it’s pointed at him.

  11. CommanderMom on April 30th, 2007 1:54 pm

    Hey Terri~not to re-hash yesterdays thoughts, but re: that roster? Had an ironic thought that reoccured, today; it would be a roster that our troops would ignore, and save them, regardless!

  12. CommanderMom on April 30th, 2007 2:09 pm

    ps~ Yeah!! Marty will be home, soon! AWOL, fer sure! Look forward to pics!

    CavMom and Sue~hugs, and continued thoughts and prayers :)! Took a peek at the great pic, CavMom!

    And again and again, please thank your troopers for us, and to you gals, for all that you do supporting them, so they can go.

  13. sue on April 30th, 2007 2:21 pm

    CavMom, what a great picture!! He is in my good thoughts and prayers as are you. Commander Mom, thanks as always for your support. It was a wonderful afternoon!! I got to spend a WHOLE 40 minutes with him!! He’s tired, they have been real busy, but he managed to catch some zzz’s, and finally a hot shower or two!! YAY!!! He had told me he even didn’t like bein near himself!! ha ha ha But he’s good, and I am good to go for another however many days till I start feelin it again and then I guess Terri will be hearin me whine!! Thanks Terri!!! They still have no net in their building but he said they are working on it so keep your fingers crossed!! I don’t want to divert any prayers from where they are truly needed so just the crossed fingers for luck!! Hugs to all and thanks!!

  14. CavMom on April 30th, 2007 2:32 pm

    The camera hater thing must also be a 1st Cav thing. I have too many pictures of the back of my son’s head. He stood almost still for that picture because Dad J told him he had to. BOYS!!!!!

    Sue ~ Glad you got some time with him! 40 minutes… WOW! Fingers crossed… and prayers added. I believe there is always room for another prayer.

    CommanderMom ~ Thanks for the kind words.

  15. Terri on April 30th, 2007 3:05 pm

    Maybe so CavMom, maybe so. But I WILL manage to get some, I guarantee it. Even if I have to have Sean wait around with the camera to get pics of us together. I have a couple, but not many. LOL!

  16. Terri on April 30th, 2007 3:07 pm

    Hey Sue not a problem at all, my pleasure. Afterall, I do recall awhile back when I hadn’t heard from Marty for like 8 days and you listened to me whine. LOL!

  17. sue on April 30th, 2007 3:22 pm

    Terri are you sure Sean will stay around you “old people”?? lol I seem to recall that being an issue!!! ha ha ha

    Thanks Cav Mom!!! Ya, I was surprised how long we got too but I’m not complaining!!!

  18. Terri on April 30th, 2007 3:28 pm

    Well he has to for awhile, since he’s graduating and he’ll have to do the traditional “family” thing at least for awhile.

  19. sue on April 30th, 2007 3:43 pm

    Ha ha ha!! Torture works for me!!! lol

  20. Terri on April 30th, 2007 4:02 pm

    He’s going to think he’s being tortured when his dad wakes him up every morning a 0:(dark)30 to go running!

  21. sue on April 30th, 2007 4:25 pm

    AWWWWWWWWW poor Sean!!! I will be LMAO!!! Please tell him I’ll be holdin a pity party in his honor!!! lol

  22. Terri on April 30th, 2007 4:31 pm

    LMAO! He’ll be wanting one for sure. I’ve been telling him for months that he should start running and working out since he’s not in any sports. About the only “sport” he participates in, is the one where you see who can lift the beer can to their mouth the quickest. hehehehe

  23. sue on April 30th, 2007 5:02 pm

    Uh Oh!!! Someone is gonna be in a world of hurtin come Boot!! HA HA HA OH that will be rich!!! I can’t wait to send THOSE letters!!!

  24. Terri on April 30th, 2007 5:30 pm

    You and me both. Marty keeps threatening to write on the outside of each letter “This is worth 50 push-ups,” etc.

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