Saturday, July 3, 2010

Why I Care

Operation Write Home is having a 4th of July Blog Tour and this is my second post. For those who don’t know me, I thought I’d share why I care so deeply about this organization and its cause.


Many years ago, my husband spoke to a recruiter about joining the Army as a Chaplain. He was literally told he had a better chance of getting into the armed forces if he was a female elephant trainer. Yeah…it was when they were cutting the military waaaaaay back. We moved on, had a couple kids, and made a life.

Fast forward 18 years, and our son was heading off to West Point. He graduated in May, 2009 and is currently serving in Iraq where the temperatures have cooled down to 115 degrees, a 16 hour day is short, and he shares a bedroom with another soldier the size of an office cubicle.

Backing up just a bit to July of 2008, I saw an article about how the Army was so desperate for Chaplains, they had raised the age of enlistment to 47. I brought it home to show my husband as a joke since our son loves to tease him about being old, and Nathan always has a comeback like, “I can’t be old, Jamie Moyer is still pitching,” or "I can't be old, I can still join the Army." My husband had been desperately hurt in a prior ministry and said God would need to pin a note on his pillow if He wanted him back in full-time ministry. Well…I guess that article was the note!

Two weeks before our son’s graduation from West Point, Nathan received word he’d been accepted as an active duty Chaplain. We waited until after Steven’s ceremony to tell him, and since he became a commissioned officer before his dad, our son issued the oath of office to his father in September, 2009.

Nathan and I are currently at Fort Carson in Colorado. He will be leaving later this month for a year in Afghanistan where temperatures are expected to be near 140 degrees and we can expect a communications black out for approximately 90 days.

OWH is asking what would you give America for its birthday. My gift? Two of the finest men it has been my privilege to love.



Until next time,
Becca



20 comments:

  1. The card is just plain beautiful. I don't know how else to describe it. I love how you chose the Statue of Liberty because no one else on this blog tour did.

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  2. What a beautiful card and I agree with Noelle, who happens to be my very talented granddaughter, I really like the Statue of Liberty too.

    And God Bless you, your husband and your son. It is hard having a loved one serve in time of war, as the saying goes been there, done that. My heart goes out to the three of you.

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  3. This card is spectacular Becca, but it's nothing compared to the personal sacrifice your family has made on behalf of the rest of us. God Bless you all and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

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  4. Fabulous card! I love the details.

    Have a safe & happy July 4th week end!

    Please stop by my blog and sign up to win my blog candy.

    Cheryl
    http://shestamps.blogspot.com/

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  5. Love this card, it's beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Wow, what an awesome story I have tears in my eyes! Your card is beautiful and thanks for your commitment to OWH, you just might be receiving some of those wonderful cards you and I make ;)!

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  7. Ah Becca...was trying to hold back tears...nope couldn't do it. A big thank you to your Son, Husband all of you for the sacrifice... THANK YOU!

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  8. This is absolutely beautiful!

    Happy 4th of July!

    Thanks so much for sharing!!!

    ~Ola
    okj83 at live dot com

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  9. Beautiful card Becca and beautiful blog post. Thank you to you and your son and husband for their service!
    Enjoy you 4th and thank you for making this blog tour really special!

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  10. Becca, you need a kleenex warning at the start of your post! Beautiful...just beautiful....thank you so much for sharing your story - and your men!

    (Beautiful card, too, but I can't see too well through the tears :)

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  11. What an amazing story. Thanks so much to your family for its sacrifice. Your card is great!

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  12. Oh Becca, thank you for the heartwarming and emotional story. Your card is gorgeous with Lady Liberty. It is the epitomy of the brave men like your son and husband who go to war and of a brave woman, such as yourself, who keeps the home fires burning. God Bless all of you. Happy Independence Day!

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  13. What a great card. I love the image. Thanks for sharing your story.

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  14. very pretty card Becca
    god bless your family as they take care of our country

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  15. I'm having trouble looking at your card through the tears in my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing your story. May God bless your family.

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  16. I love your card it is as awesome as your wonderful family. i will keep them and many more in my prayers. Have a wonderful 4th of July

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  17. Thank you so much for your story. Your card is great too :).

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  18. A: Great card.
    And B - Thank you for sharing your story. That's wonderful that your son was able to do the oath of office - what a touching way to welcome his dad to the military!!! My husband is currently on his 4th tour - and although he's not religious himself, I am ever so grateful to know there's a religious presence there for any/all soldiers needing spiritual comfort and guidance. I hope that someday my hubby is one of those people. Thank you for the sacrifice you're giving by having your loved ones so far away.

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  19. Wow your card is amazing....
    You need to put a tissue alert on this post....it's too early in the morning to cry!!! Your story really touched me and I thank God for men like yours!!! Please let them know how much we appreciate them serving for our Freedom!!! and a big thank you to you as well,I know it can't be easy having a husband and son serving!!! May God Bless you and your family!!
    Stampin' hugs sent your way!!! ;)

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  20. Your card is great! Even more impressive is your testimony about your husband and son. My prayers are sent for a safe tour. I am a proud Army mom and my daughter and son-in-law are just beginning a tour in Iraq. God bless you and your family.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. You bless me!