Tuesday, September 16, 2008

A Face of Sacrifice

When it got about time for Anna be get home from preschool yesterday, I went outside to sit in my red rocking chair on the front porch and wait for her. On the way out the door, I grabbed some light reading in the form of Tony's September issue of Air Force Magazine...hey, I was desperate. I'm so glad I did. As I was flipping through, I found an article listing the 12 2008 winners of the Outstanding Airmen Award. As I read over each of these Airmen's accomplishments, I could only imagine the sacrifices that were made behind the scenes. Mothers, children, wives, days and nights of fear and worry.
When Tony was deployed to Iraq, I stopped reading the paper or watching the news, just to be able to function without losing my mind with worry. (Tony's on the far right.)

But one of the profiles really astounded me. SrA. Shawn Ryan. Being a Senior Airmen, he is most probably in his early 20's. He is a Security Forces Patrolman (a military policeman) at Sheppard AFB in Texas. This is his write-up.

"Earned Army Commendation Medal and Combat Action Badge for his actions during voluntary year-long deployment to Camp Victory in Iraq...continued to help repel enemy attack though wounded, receiving the Purple Heart...provided life-saving buddy care to wounded team member...stopped speeding vehicle-borne IED, killing terrorist...instructed thousands of Iraqi policemen...conducted nearly 200 combat patrols...detected artillery round rigged to explode, preventing injury to troops and damage to assets...shared his M-2 machine gun expertise with team members, provided gunner-down training and enhancing unit's combat capability."

Wow. When most young people are going to college, concerts, hanging out with friends and keeping their own schedules, this young man is being a hero. Literally.

I wish we weren't in Iraq. I wish we weren't in Afghanistan. But no matter what I wish, we are there. And so now we have no choice but to support our troops.

Until everyone comes home.

10 comments:

Jeni said...

Wow! You are right on with those thoughts.

Our Complete Family said...

I 2nd your thoughts. My heart is with them all. xo

Kristi said...

Here, here!

I salute all of you who do sacrifice so much to protect our country! I can't imagine it is easy for those who serve or their loved ones who miss them while they are gone.

Cara said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all military families. I can't say enough of my feelings of gratitude for what you all do every day. Thank you.

The Brough Family said...

Amen...

Montay said...

Go U.S.A. and to you and your husband and your children and family thanks!!!!

Martie said...

Right up the hill from us (where you and I used to go walking), there is a house that always has anti-war posters on the front lawn. My boys were riding their bikes and saw the sign while Lane was still in Iraq. Imagine how that made them feel! Like you said, nobody really wants us to have to be there. But since we have to be, we need everyone to SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! They need the prayers,love and support of our whole nation because THAT is who they are protecting. ALL of us.

Thanks for speaking up and sharing.

Martie

Kathleen said...

what a beautiful post and tribute to our heros. it's too bad the newspapers don't print articles like that--everyone would be so inspired!

oh, and the pictures of sam and josh are too darling :-)

Camie said...

Wow, what more can a person really give for its country. Thanks to all you who give your husbands and wives to defend our country and help out others.

Garrett Gang said...

I borrowed Tony's picture & a portion of this to post on my blog. Check it out, & if you would rather have me remove or edit it, let me know.