Vets for Freedom

I have a million things that I NEED to be doing, but I don't want to. So, I'm doing this instead. It's more fun! I did do something productive today though. I organized the pictures on my computer. That might sound like no big deal, but I have some on the hard drive, and some on the external hard drive. Some that are under "my scans" and some that are under "my albums." Some are in folders, some are not, some I have 3 copies of from times that I've backed up my hard drive to the external one. But--now they are all organized and labeled and ready to be scrapbooked. Although, to be honest--that's never gonna happen. The reality is that if anyone wants to see the photos, they can click the mouse button on the computer. I will try some time in the next few years to go through and label the pics so that 10 years from now, we'll know what we're looking at--but I ain't promisin' nuttin!

So--Vets for Freedom. I don't know if you've heard of this organization, but they are really cool. They were founded to provide a way for soldiers to get the real message out to the public about what is going on in Iraq. They are real war heroes who are telling their own stories about the GOOD that they've seen with their own eyes and done with their own hands over there. It is amazing. David Bellavia was in our unit in Vilseck. He is up for the Medal of Honor!!! He is a really cool guy, and he is a co founder (I think) of VFF.

They are kicking off a 3 week bus tour that is going across the US and ending in DC where they are flying in vets and active duty soldiers to talk to congress members about what is going on, so they can rally support for the troops. Their main point is "Let us finish the job we started."

I won't go in to the speeches, but something one guy said was really interesting. He is still active duty. He said that saying "I support the troops, but not the war is ridiculous. I'd rather not have that kind of support. That's basically like someone coming up to you and punching you in the gut and saying 'Hey--that's not for you. I like you. It's for your boss. I don't like him.' " Interesting way to put it. I understand the 'concept' that people are TRYING to convey when they say they support the troops but not the war, but it just doesnt' work out that way. They don't feel supported when people don't support the war.

So--they kicked off in San Diego with an event on the deck of the USS Midway (which has been converted into a museum.) It was really cool. Some navy seals jumped in and landed on the deck. Several guys--Pete Hegseth, Bellavia, and a couple others--spoke. Academy Award Winner John Voight spoke (he's awesome) The kids kept saying "We got our picture taken with Ben's dad!" (from National Treasure!)and two bands performed. It was so fun! The kids had a great time. They have never been to a concert before and they got to be right up next to the stage. We talked to both bands after their performances, and took the kids pictures with them. The guitarist gave N and his buddy P some guitar picks, and I thought they were going to pass out!

Both bands are made up of former military guys (actually some are still inactive reserves!) and they were GREAT with the kids. They let them hold the guitars, gave them stickers and CDs, and got our address to mail the boys Tshirts when they get a new shipment. It was really cool to the kids that these guys did some time in the military and now are "rock stars!" One guy said that OIF 2 paid for his guitar--as a young enlisted guy, that was the only way he was ever going to afford it. They sent me an email today saying "Thanks for letting us meet your future rock star kids!" and basically just thanking us for being supportive of them at the event, and promising to send the kids tshirts when they come in--cool, huh?

Anyway--it was a really fun night. If you get a chance to go to the Vets For Freedom events in your town--please do--they need our support!

PS--If you are reading this blog and are planning to post some antiwar crap message--don't do it anonymously. Try exhibiting even a QUARTER of the intergrity and courage that our soldiers have EVERYDAY and leave your contact info so it is an actual conversation. Anyone can hide behind a computer screen and have a big mouth--someone with real character is actually proud of what they have to say and stands behind it.

(I can still see you sitting there typing away with your little "anonymous" name tag. . .just remember when you go to bed tonight with that smug grin on your face. . .the only reason you can sleep in peace is that there are soldiers who are willing to die for all Americans--even pathetic wimps like you. They know what kind of people they are--and we ALL know what kind of person YOU are!)