5/27/2007
If you’re reading this
American Soldier says,
I head this song this morning and felt compelled to post this. In so many ways this song is/was intertwined with my experiences and what I still go through day to day. I plan to make my own compilation of pictures and this song. Enjoy it, even I had a few tears.
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American Soldier, today is a special day for me, in fact, they are all special to me. To be honest with you, I cheated and read all of your posts for this month and the comments. It appears to this old vet. you’re going through a real rough patch in the road. I’m not a nurse or doctor and I will not try to act like one. Your medications are between you and your healthcare team, not me. They are the ones reading all of the lab reports. My suggestion is this, take it one step at a time, slowly you’re in unfamilar territory. For me, the one thing I absolutely hated was peaple saying, “We’ll wait until things get back to normal.” My thinking was, “What the ________ is normal!” But as you continue with your blog, you’re helping more people than you would ever believe. You are continuing in your Service to this GREAT Nation.
Respectfuly,
Grumpyhttp://www.soldierlife.com/wp-images/smilies/icon_beer.gif
AS, don’t ever wonder whether we think of you or whether we care. WE DO. Thank you for your service. May God grant you strength and healing.
Those Already Home are “up here with God and we’re both watching over you.”
As Grumpy said, like you, they continue in their Service.
I saw this the night Tim McGraw performed it on stage at the CMA awards……and I cried. It was, by far, the most meaningful moment of the whole show. I also heard that he paid for all those families of fallen soldiers to come to the show. Now that’s what I call supporting the troops……even after they are gone.
A long time ago I was a girl in DC. It seems like a lifetime ago that I turned 18 and realized all the things the city had to offer. By the time I reached 21 I was attending troop support rallies and spending my weekends with military friends. There was a even a time when I would only date men in the military because they were the embodiment of everything I believed in and wanted in a potential mate.
A few things have changed, but not a lot. I still support our troops and I’m about to marry a man who spent time in the military. Memorial Day this year brought more prayers and tears. Tears for those who have gone before, tears for those who are there now, and more tears for those who will soon be there. Thoughts and prayers for those that I’ve known who have lost their lives, for the families who have endured.
Thank you for serving, for being the kind of man that so few have the strength to be. How blessed we are to know you and others like you exist.
Much love,
The Butterfly Temptress
God bless you AS. If you’re reading this..you’re “already loved”!
You are so in our prayers each and every day. My baby brother is fighting in this war and not a day goes by that i don’t think of him and all our brave men and women all over fighting for freedom. Please know that ALL of you are in our prayers and more importantly in our hearts!
The others above have best said it all ~ so I’ll heartfully ditto the above.
Three things inspired me to write: Tim McGraw’s song “If You’re Reading This…”, Lee Iacocca’s book “Where Have All The Leaders Gone?”, and the disrespect shown an American Soldier on an airline flight.
I’ll explain the latter. Before deplaning in Atlanta on Friday, June 1, the flight attendant acknowledged an American Soldier on our plane who was heading to Iraq. She asked that we show our respect by remaining seated while this young man deplaned first, then we follow him out. As we stopped at the gate and the fasten seat belt sign was turned off, one woman seated a few rows behind this soldier jumped up to grab her bags followed soon after by several men. And I didn’t have the guts to yell “sit down!” The rest of the passengers waited until this brave man walked off the plane and closer to Iraq. I found this soldier and apologized for this disrespect and wished him well. He smiled and said thank you and shook my hand.
Two thoughts that I hope are appropriate for this site (I found this site while searching for Tim’s song). One, Americans, support our troops with all your heart and all of your soul. Pray, show respect, write, encourage, and remember their families too. Give them everything that they need. Second, President Bush, bring our troops home. Now!
AS,
It’s funny… I wrote my “Memorial Day” post last night (life and lack of internet got in the way of getting it posted last weekend). I titled it “If you’re reading this”. I had no idea you wrote a post with the same title.
Even scarier? I was *THIS* close to including Tim’s song in my post too. The only reason I didn’t is because I couldn’t find it last night! How ironic.
The first time I heard this song was a few weeks ago, and I couldn’t help but to tear up. It’s a powerful song.
AS,
It’s funny… I wrote my “Memorial Day” post last night (life and lack of internet got in the way of getting it posted last weekend). I titled it “If you’re reading this”. I had no idea you wrote a post with the same title.
Even scarier? I was *THIS* close to including Tim’s song in my post too. The only reason I didn’t is because I couldn’t find it last night! How ironic.
The first time I heard this song was a few weeks ago, and I couldn’t help but to tear up. It’s a powerful song.
this is a very moving song. for those who go and give there lives so we can even read and look at this freely as we wish. as prior service i wish all are troops a safe homecomeing. for the people who apose war and pres. bush dont disrespect the troops for something they have no control over. they are doing the job they are givin and they do it without complaint
I was on my way home from work and i had to stop and pull over, my eyes welled up with tears. I am a Soldier my self and the scariest thing for my is if and when I get deployed not bring able to tell my famly that i love them but Mr McGraw summed it all up in that song…. Thank you
Hello AS,
I had not heard this song until I played the clip here… I had visited here a few days ago but I knew that I couldn’t play the song, or read your post, then… because I wouldn’t be able to carry on afterward, as if I saw nothing special.
The sorrow and pride that floods my chest makes it impossible for me to speak for a space of time. It makes it utterly impossible for me to discuss the hum-drum of whatever.
You are always on my mind and always in my prayers, you, your comrades, your beloved.
Maybe… maybe, somehow, it helps.
My thoughts and prayers are always with the American soldier. I am grateful for your sacrifice. Proud Marine Mom!
I love my country, and therefore each and every soldier who ever risked his or her own life to protect this dear land. I came across this site looking for McGraw’s song, and am touched by the heartfelt expressions here. I could not continue without posting my own note of gratitude to the soldiers, their families, and all who have sacrificed for this land. Let us honor them in the way we choose to live!
so many have answered the call of this great nation and yet so many disrespect those who have, but to me thats ok. i didnt do it for the glory, i didnt do it for the decorations. i did it because i love this country and its hope of democracy for others who dont know what it is. i did it so that the ones who didnt have the GUTS to do it didnt have to. AS, we are with you in our silent service that goes unthanked, unwanted by others, but greatfully and couragousely carried out. your mission is accomplished soilder. God Bless you your family and to the others, “IF YOUR READING THIS”.
I am currently in Germany preparing for another trip back to Iraq. I heard this song while listening to ACC on AFN. I immediately went to find it on the net.
This is song is a priceless work of art.
I want to thank Tim for writing it. I also want to say thank you to all of you who support the American Soldier no matter what your views on the war are. It is because of you that we do what we do every day.
Never forget, the only people that have died for you are Jesus and the American Soldier. One for your soul, the other for your freedom.
Like many others, I came across this website by happenstance. I saw the video of the ACM awards and I sat in awe and welled up. It is a powerful and beautiful song. I have friends and family in the military, and I thank God everyday that I am an American and I thank God for the people who keep us safe without ever asking for anything in return. Thank you to everyone that serves, I am eternally grateful.
And Captain Miller, God bless you and keep you safe.
Just wanted to say thank you. To you and to all of the men and women who now serve, have served and will serve our country. Any idiot who doesn’t recognize the utter nobility of your sacrifice needs to wake up. Without you they wouldn’t even be free to complain like they do.
My son just lost one of his best Friends, A1C Eric Barnes of Ohio. This song feels like it was written ahead of time for him. He was only 20, but felt like he was doing what he was always meant to do. We have lost many like him and this tribute is perfect for them. I hope I don’t get that knock at the door, my wife is in Afghanistan, if I do this song will help. Thanks to all those who sacrifice and don’t return and to their families. Bless you all. For those still serving on Earth, keep up the good work! Give a thought for A1C Barnes and his family Thursday June 14, at 1:00 Mountain Time as we remember his sacrifice at the base he served prior to going to Iraq.
My son Glenn lost his daddy in the war 2 and a half years ago. This song really hit hard. This is Glenn’s new favorite song and I want to personally give my thanks to any member of the military and especially to the families of all the members who have made the biggest sacrifice for our country. I am a Tim McGraw fan myself and my son Glenn is the biggest 9 and a half year old Tim McGraw fan you would ever meet. This made the song just that much more meaningful to him. If anyone wants to say anything to my boy, please go to kevinluna.memory-of.com. Thank You
K you summed it up very best. My little brother is a Marine and just the idea of this song scares me to death. For my brother, this is what inspires him. God Bless All of our Troops and their families.
Bring home our men and women!!
Thanks Tim McGraw for putting out a song that is so powerful, I had not heard until his concert the other night and it put tears in my eyes and received the loudest cheer and ovation of the night, if you’ve been to a concert before you know this brought the house down.
American and proud of it!!!!!!!
If it wasn’t for the brave men and women doing what they do giving their lives over there we would not be able to enjoy the freedoms that we have over here. Thank you for serving from the bottom of this old grumps heart. May God Bless and keep each and every soldier safe and in His loving hands.
The Grump
A Big thanks to all those serving our country And a Big thanks to all who have given the Biggest sacrifice
I can’t say thank you enough to all of those serving in our military presently and in the past. And also a thank you to the families left behind who also serve, who spend those sleepless nights worrying, waiting on a call or letter, and praying not to get a knock on the door. But to those who did, just know that your soldier/marine gave the ultimate sacrifice and will forever be remembered. As a proud Marine Mom I have read many books about this war in an effort to understand what my son might be going through and won’t be able to talk about. These young men are being asked to witness and live through horrendous events that will forever change them. We as a country must try to reach out to them when they return home and support them as they have to adjust back to our society. The weapons being used in this war are causing scars both physical and emotional that we have never seen in our lifetime. They are being asked to fight a cowardly enemy that doesn’t fight fair but hides behind their IEDs and suicide bombers. They do so willingly, without much pay, so their friends and other’s sons can stay here and attend college and alot of times party and have a good time. They deserve our respect and support no matter your political views.
God Bless our Troops!
Very proud Marine Mom
I am an LVN in the Army and I work on the Burn Unit. It makes me cry everytime I hear this song because I think of all the widows whose children will never know who their father was, and I have to tell them that he died for a good cause.
I found this poem written on a hospital form in among a lot of paper goods I picked up at a flea market last weekend. All of the items were from the early 1900’s.
I assume this was written some time during or jjust after WWI. I don’t know the author. I don’t know if this is a well known poem or not. I had never heard it before and I couldn’t find it on the Internet.
____________________
“Soldier Son”
You played with your soldiers, little son.
Blue-eyed captain and bagatelle gun.
You marched them over the kitchen floor,
into the parlor and through the door.
And when they had fallen, one by one,
you lay down beside them, little son,
reclining your weary, golden head,
‘mid the painted men with casts of red.
I lifted you dear, from your chosen bed,
and gently kissing your shining head,
your baby form to my heart I pressed,
and you nestled there in childish rest.
When you were older, oh little son,
you marched away with a sword and gun,
leading a stalwart triumphant band
into the pain of “No Man’s Land”.
And now they are fallen one by one
with you close beside them, gallant son,
asleep in the fields where poppies red
bloom o’er the graves of the noble dead.
Oh, sometimes I watch the western sun,
and dreaming, I see God’s Holy One
lifting you, dear, from your place of rest -
holding you close to His loving breast.
____________________
Almost 100 years after this was written, we are still losing our children in “No Man’s Land”. I just thought I’d share it here.
To be honest this song scares me, it is such a powerful, beautiful song and has so much truth in it.. My fiancee left for Iraq a few weeks ago for a deployment that is lasting 15 months, WOW! However, I have come to realize that I wasn’t appreciating life to its fullest, I took for granted EVERYTHING and now I thank God everyday for him and all the other troops defending our freedom!
Take a moment to send a prayer out to ALL the troops around the world, whether they are in the states, in Iraq, or overseas somewhere else and next time you see someone in uniform, tell them thanks, it goes a long way…
God bless and god speed
I’m a Canadian soldier and we had another 6 mothers, wives, families told yesterday that their sons, husbands and brothers were “already home”. It’s never easy for them and, though they claim (and perhaps believe) that they understand why we serve and sacrifice only those who have served together can fully understand. Moral support for us and those left behind is so important: thank-you to you, AS, and all those like you who support and encourage those who want to understand.
The pain is over for those of us who do not come home yet never ends for those left behind: it only slowly fades over many years.
LCol Russ
LCol Russ:
I’m so sorry to hear of your recent losses.
Please know that we are keeping you and your troops close in prayer, as well.
Losses come with the job, but it’s the best job in the world, and the sacrifices are worth the freedom we all enjoy. God bless our Military and the politicians who are trying to bring them home.
A.S. I went to see Tim McGraw the other night. I am a big fan of his but strangely had never heard this song before. He played If you’re reading this with just a couple of acoustic guitars behind him and I had tears in my eyes by the time he was done. I’m not sure what to think of the war anymore. But I do know that my love, respect and prayers go out to every man and woman who has ever put on one of the uniforms of the US Military as well as their families. There are too many people in our country these days who take for granted all of the everyday freedoms and privelages that we get to enjoy due to the bravery and sacrifice of our armed forces. God Bless You All. And Thank You.
The days that followed 9/11/2001 I began to write. About our country, our families, our wars and our heroes.
As I wrote I began to wonder how a soldier felt about fighting in an unpopular war.
About why a soldier would fight in this type of war. About how his family felt.
About the tears that fall as they do the jobs that they have to do.
What I have figured out in the years that followed 9/11 is that soldiers fight for one reason and one reason alone…
That’s to Keep it Red, White and Blue.
Keepin it Red, White and Blue
Copyright © 2007 Bryant “Butch” Yielding
Alone in his easy chair she watched as he cried
Abby’d never seen tears fall from her daddys’ eyes.
This sad September day came into his life,
Like the time in Chapel Hill when he lost his wife.
Abby cried out dad’s everything all right,
He wiped his tears
As he grabbed her sight.
He said Hun,
With your moms last breath she made it clear,
As I held her hand I said this prayer.
Lord I promise to care for our little one,
Lord like my wife would, never outdone.
Hun that promise to God
That promise for you
That’s why
I’m keepin it Red, White and Blue.
He went to war one fateful day
Those words he spoke never went away.
He led his men to an Iraqi land,
All so young these brothers of the band.
Then came the day she got the word,
He’s coming home was all she heard…
Abby sat alone that cold winter’ day,
Handed the flag that brought him home to stay.
She listened, she heard, through a tearful funeral haze,
Remembering his words alone his greatest praise.
With your moms last breath she made it clear,
As I held her hand I said this prayer.
Lord I promise to care for our little one,
Lord like my wife would, never outdone.
Hun that promise to God
That promise for you
That’s why I’m keepin it
Red, White and Blue.
Remembering her dad, remembering his tears,
Remembering his words Echoing through the years.
Running down her face tears hit the floor,
Trying to make sense about this damn war.
But the only sense Abby could ever hear
Were the words he spoke as he shed a tear.
Lord I promise to care for our little one,
Lord like my wife would, never outdone.
Hun that promise to God
That promise for you
That’s why I’m keepin it
Red, White and Blue.
That’s why I’m keepin it
Red, White and Blue.
As the proud wife, aunt, sister-in-law (on my side of the family and my husband’s), niece, cousin and granddaughter of men who have served this country in almost every war since WWI, this song has special meaning to me. As I am thanking GOD that I did not lose anyone, including my nephew who is returning from Iraq, I am also thanking GOD for the sacrifice of the men who will never return, no matter where or when they served. And to the families of those men, you are in my thoughts and prayers every day…yours is the second greatest sacrifice.
To those who have served or are still serving this great country, and to your families and friends…You are in my prayers. Thank you for the sacrifices you are making. I am proud of you for doing what you are in your turn, as I have done in mine. My husband had to deploy with the Air Force after 9/11 and not a day went by that I wasn’t scared and worried about him and the others in his squadron, including my cousin.
THANK YOU
As I patiently await my turn in the box, songs such as this constantly remind me of what life might be like for my family when I go. I do not personally know anyone who died overseas, but as a leader in the Army Reserves, several of my soldiers have shared stories of their friends that did not return with them. I can only imagine how hard it will be for me to tell a family that their loved one will not be coming home in the main cabin of the plain, but in a box underneath. To those of you who have been there and back, you have my heart felt thanks and congratulations on a job well done. To the families of those who have not yet returned, find comfort in the Lord and don’t lose heart. To the families of those who will not return, find solace in the fact that they died for something they truly believed in. I pray that if/when the day comes that I must lead my platoon into hostile territory, I will remember the lessons of the past, and bring them all home again.
God’s peace and love, and my thanks
I just joined the Army Reserves on Saturday. I am going in for Human Resources. When I heard this song I felt so proud and I knew I loved this song right away! I am so excitied to be in the Army! Kayla
Eric…
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