The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

The Sisterhood
23:30 Jul 24 2008
Times Read: 678

I was allowed to read this today at a briefing. I am sharing it now with you.



******



The Sisterhood

By Debby Guest



I am an Army Wife- a member of that sisterhood of women who are the courage to watch their men march into battle and the strength to survive until their return. Our sorority knows no rank for we earned our membership with a marriage license, traveling over miles or nations to begin a new life with our soldier husbands.



Within days we turn a barren, echoing building into a home, and through our quarters are inevitably white walled and un-papered, we decorate with the treasures of our travels for we shop the markets of the globe. Using hammer and nail, we tack our pictures to the wall and our roots to the floor as firmly as we had lived there for a lifetime. We hold a family together by bootstraps and raise the best of “brats”, instilling into them the motto, “Home is Togetherness” whether motel, or guesthouse, apartment or duplex.



As Army wives, we soon realize that the only good in “Good-bye” is the “Hello Again”. For as salesmen for freedom, our husbands are often on the road, leaving us behind for a week, a month, and assignment. During the separation we guard the home front, existing until the homecoming.



Unlike our civilian counterparts, we measure time, not by age but by tours- married at Knox, a baby born at Bliss, a promotion in Missouri. We plant trees but never see them grow tall, work on projects completed long around our departure, and enhance our community for the betterment of those who come after us. We leave a part of ourselves at every stop. Through experience we have learned to pack a suitcase, a car, or hold baggage and live indefinitely from the contents within; and though our fingers are sore from the patches we have sewn and the silver we have shined, our hands are always ready to help those around us.



Women of peace, we pray for a world of harmony, for the flag that leads our men into battle will also blanket them in death. Yet we are an optimistic group. Thinking of the good and forgetting the bad – cherishing yesterday while anticipating tomorrow.



Never rich by monetary standards, our hearts are overflowing with a wealth of experiences common only to those united by the special traditions of military life. We pass on this legacy to every Army bride, welcoming her with outstretched arms, with love and friendship, from one sister to another, sharing in the bounty our unique, fulfilling Army way of life.

When Dad's Away - A poem
23:17 Jul 24 2008
Times Read: 681

When Dad's Away

Author Unknown



When dad's away, Mom's the Commanding Officer.

When Dad's home, Mom's the Executive Officer, coordinating and executing actions for the Command Team.

Keeping track of the kids, she's the S-1.

Collecting the neighborhood news and relaying it to Dad she's the S-3.

Stocking food supplies for the family she's the S-4.

She answers all the family correspondence and makes appointments for Dad; that makes her the Adjutant.

Worrying about the family budget makes her the Comptroller.

Paying the bills and accounting to Dad for the paychecks makes her Finance and Accounting Office.

Looking for a new place to live when we move, she's like a Billeting Officer.

Assigning us chores to do, getting us fed, bathed, and put to bed; she's our First Sergeant.

Serving the food and doing the dishes, she's on KP.

Carrying small children, she's an Ammunition Handler.

Driving the family to all our appointments she's a Duty Driver.

Cleaning the house and making the beds, she's an Orderly.

Looking like a queen when she goes out with Dad, She's a Soldier's Lady.

Doing all the things well, all the time, she's a true "Big Gunner!"

"GOSH! Mom's the whole Darned ARMY!"

When I Depart
23:08 Jul 24 2008
Times Read: 682

When I Depart

By Susan Allen



When I depart will they know my life;

The life, that is, of the Army Wife?

Will they know I’m proud of what I have done

Of what I have seen, and where I have gone?

Will they know that I chose, I volunteered, to stand beside the one I hold dear?



My country asked me to give and to serve

In silent support… and without reserve.

Like the eagle above, I spread my wings;

Protected my home, and all that it means.

I stayed behind with fear that was deep,

And my private prayer… “That peace, please keep.”



The lyre of life is the music I play,

In harmony I’ve guided each day.

I balance my family, my friends… myself.

Tried to be faithful, and tried to help.

I quietly watched my family grow

The years have gone by… and what does it show?



Our work together will never be done.

I’ll always be there… our battles are one.

And where does hope find a home that is safe,

A home where duty has beauty and grace?

The answer’s clear when I look at my life,

It’s found in the heart of each Army Wife.

Military child
22:52 Jul 24 2008
Times Read: 683


The Military Child

Author Unknown



I am the child of the United States Military.

My hometown is nowhere, my friends are everywhere.



I grew up with the knowledge that home is where the heart and family are, with no dependency on the dwelling.

Mobility is my way of life.



Some would wonder about my roots,

Yet they are as deep as strong as the mighty oak.



I sink in them quickly, absorbing all an area has to offer

And hopefully giving enrichment in return.



Travel has taught me to be open,

Shaking hands with the universe,

I find brotherhood in all people.



Farewells are never easy.

Yet even in sorrow comes the strength and ability to face tomorrow with anticipation.



If when I leave one place, I feel that half of my world has left,

I also know that the other half is still waiting to be met.



Friendships are formed in hours and kept for decades.

I will never grow up with someone, but will mature with many.

Be it inevitable that paths part,

There is constant hope that we will meet again.

18:04 Jul 24 2008
Times Read: 695

I recieved this today and wanted to share.

Army Wedding Contract



“If the Army wanted you to have a wife, it would have issued you one.”



Dear family and friends, we are gathered here today in the sight of God and the Department of the Army to witness this exchange of vows and to see the love that these dedicated, loving people have for one another.



I, ______________________________, take (who was once referred to as the dependent), as your Family Member, to dwell together in so far as the Department of the Army will permit?

Wilt thou love her, comfort her via the Postal Service or over the telephone, make sure she knows where the commissary, PX, clinic and the church are and what time she is scheduled to use the laundry room the day she arrives. Wherever you are stationed?



Wilt thou attempt to tell her more then 24 hours in advance that you will be leaving for two weeks, beginning the next morning? This especially applies to the years you will live in a foreign country!



Wilt thou, __________________________, take this soldier as thy wedded husband, knowing that he is depending upon you to be the perfect (well, almost) Army Wife, running the household as you see fit and being nice to the Commanders Wife (even when it is hard to)? Further, you understand that your life with your husband (little that you may have together) will not be normal, that you may have to explain to your children, not once but twice and more often in the same day, that mothers do have husbands, that children do have daddies, and that the picture of the man on the refrigerator is not the milkman, but the same individual who tusks them in at 2200 hours, long after they are asleep. This soldier is their daddy, who loves them very, very much.



Wilt though love, respect and wait for him, preparing his favorite meals when he does come home and freezing them when he doesn’t? When he is gone wilt thou send him all his favorite cookies and pictures of yourself and the children so he can remember what you look like? When you are separated on your anniversaries (which will happen more often then not) you will remember this special day and celebrate it on the closest day possible to the actual date. And last but not least, put on the outside of the door his WELCOME HOME sign when he is due to arrive.



I’ _______________________, take thee ________________________, as my independent wife from 1900 to 2200 hours or as long as allowed by my Commanding Officer (subject to change without notice) for better or worse, earlier or later, near or far, and promise to look at the pictures you send me, maybe not when they get to me in the field, but before I turn out the lights. I will also send you a letter if time permits, and if not, to somehow, someway make the time. I will also remember this special day and will try to telephone you somehow, someway on the anniversaries we are apart.







Author unknown

Journals and commenting
23:05 Jul 17 2008
Times Read: 730

Yes I read Journals. I have several favorites and I select random ones to read as well.



I recently received some comments from people asking me why I do not comment in their journals.



It is really simple honest; sometimes there just really is nothing to say.



Sometimes I cannot think of the right words to express what I want to say in your journal so I don't say anything.



Sometimes I do not post anything because someone else, or several someone’s, have already said pretty much exactly what I would say.



Sometimes I do not post a response because I don't feel one is needed. The simple fact that I read your words should be, often times, enough for you.



I am not trying to be mean or cruel or uncaring, it is just that I do not feel any particular need to take away from what you have written by posting a response to it.



If that offends you then I am sorry. If you wish for me to stop reading your journal then by all means let me know. I may comply with your wishes and I may not.



Look I do not expect people to comment on my journal entries. You can if you want too or feel so inclined, Cancer made that option available to you.

An update
06:27 Jul 08 2008
Times Read: 750

Here is an update on the knitted Hats.



As of an hour ago, we finished hat number 50 of our 100 hat pledge for Joli's center.

Portfolio
15:25 Jul 07 2008
Times Read: 757

Added more pictures, and all the descriptions to all pictures, this morning. I will do more as time allows.