Today is one of those days where I got to come in with old jeans and a sloppy shirt -- you know -- the military is off and I'm to stingy to give up a day of leave! I've been a bit introspective lately. I guess that all of us get that way sometimes. Sometimes I just want to read or do something that has absolutely nothing to do with a justice system, a prison, an inmate or any of that. I'd like my husband to be home -- I'd like to lock the door and throw away the key and just hold him and make love to him forever. But, then the tornado ends, I'm back in Kansas with Toto and to quote my youngest, "homey can't play those games!"

One of the things I do think about is my patriotism. I have been to other countries -- even a third world country or two. Trust me, no matter how bad it is here, it is still better than anywhere else in the world. The family joke is that I "bleed Air Force blue!" My Father was old "brown shoe" army way back when rank structure, courtesy and respect and all those things mattered--back when a corporal could tell a private to jump and the private would ask how high sir! My Father got out for a little while after WWII and on Friday, October 17, 1947, he joined the brand new United States Air Force. I turned 16 months old that day -- I've been with the AF in one way or another ever since.

I guess what I am leading up to is -- yes, PTO is an inmate family support system and this is the Military/UCMJ Forum. But when you think of it, do you know of another country in this world that would allow a board/forum like this? I would just like to ask that this weekend you take a few moments out and remember those that have gone before, those still serving, and those that have given their all so that we can be here and gripe about what ails us. Two of my four sons have been military -- the other two had medical problems that wouldn't allow them to enter. I am so proud to be American and so proud to be associated with our military.

I want to offer up this prayer for all our military -- past, present and the departed. And I want to say a special thank you to everyone who has served, especially our Moderator, FriscoLady -- she gave her 20 years and I for one am damned proud to know her! Thanks Patti!

The Lord Be Our Defender

May God the Father bless us,
may Christ take care of us,
the Holy Ghost enlighten us all the days of our life.
The Lord be our defender and keeper of body and soul,
both now and for ever, to the ages of ages.
St. Ethelwold

And for those who have given their all:

Dear Lord Jesus and Mary, Mother of God,
Hold all these brave souls in the palm of your hand, comfort them and their families.

Send angels of protection, love, and comfort to all the service men and women still at war,
bring them home safely and comfort their families.

We ask all our prayers in Jesus' name. Amen.

Val

PS -- the picture is one of the reasons I stay so proud -- my oldest son -- the picture is a little out of date -- among other things he has received a line number for Lt Col and two bronze stars with a "V" device for fire fights just outside the Green Zone in Baghdad -- both took place on the same day -- 89 minutes apart -- the second was when they were recovering from the first!

God Bless all of you -- families -- and your loved ones no matter what they did to get where they are, they served and I for one am proud of them!

I am proud to be American but I cant say that I am proud to be an air force wife. Something my husband loved some much and was proud of. I have so much anger for the military system right now. I am proud of the time my husband served the everything he did. He was one of serval that went in and retrived men in other prison. One lie ruined his life and our life together. God bless the USA though. But eyes must open to the truth that lies out there

Thank you for that post. I too come from a military family and have to agree. No matter how bad our country is, I'm proud to be an American and wouldn't dream of being anything or anywhere else. God Bless the troops, past, present and future!

Val, as usual you have me thinking girl (that is why I have a headache:) ). I come from a long line of military. All Navy though. I am very proud to be an American. I am proud to have the freedom that our men and women have fought so hard for and that have died for. The freedom to post in a great forum like PTO, to have the friends and love ones that I have.

This weekend it isn't about prisons, it is about celebrating our freedom. Thank God we have such a great arm forces that protect us so we can have days like this......
Love
Jeanne

I come from a military family with a heritage that I am very proud of. My ancestors up to my Father served our native Germany, the land of my birth.

I remember how proud I was when my Father retired from the German Navy in 1964, I was 11.

He was so dashing and so handsome in his dress uniform, and I was so, so proud of him, after all he is my Father, the first and deepest love of a proud daughter.

When I joined the United States Coast Guard in 1975, I remember how afraid I was to tell my Dad. After all we had immigrated to the states right after his retirement and this was not the land of our birth. I was afraid he would be angry with me because I was not serving in the Armed Forces of my country and even worse I thought he would be angry because I was joining the service of a former enemy of our nation.

The night I told him I was shaking, and when I finally told him - he told me how proud he was of me. When I broke down crying and I told him why I was afraid - he dried my tears and told me why he was proud of what I was doing.

My Dad said - yes I fought this country and these people, but if it was not for them and their - our great nation - look at what we would have been left with - the Nazis.

The American people defeated us, destroyed our country - then instead of leaving us to fend for ourselves they took our hands and lifted us up as a nation and as a people to the greatness that our Germany is now. They have stood with us against the Communist and helped us know what freedom is.

My mother often tells the story of an American Army Sgt. who adopted her and and my older sisters just after the war. He fed them, he clothed them, he helped them find warmth and security in a devastated Germany. That is what it is to be an American.

I served this country for 20 years in it's military. Though I have been to prison since my retirement and do not agree with our current administration.

This is my country, my family and I have been adopted and loved by the greatest most generous, giving, and loving nation and people that the world has ever known.

I tried to give back to this great nation and her people what was given to us, I wanted to say Thank You by service. Twenty years of service to this country and the American people is not near what was given to us.

I cannot say this to every American but I can say this to those who have become close to me and my heart.

Thank You, God Bless our nation and all of you.

Patti

I have never served in any military force but I know I am a very fortunate person and I respect and appreciate very much those who have served, believe me . Yes this is a great nation and I live here by choice. It is better than many. many countries. However....

... I do not think we should say it is the best country in the world. There are many equal contenders and I am not willing to say that if you consider their entire population (rich and poor, sick and healthy, black and white etc) and politcal and social system that we are better than them. And yes, some of them would allow something like PTO ---and have less need for it.

Patti, you had me in tears..between your post and Val's post, such great pride...

Like I said above. I too come from a strong family background of the military. I too wanted to join but was denied during the physical because of a Knee surgery that I had in highschool.

I have a 15yr old son that is wanting to join the military when he gets old enough and my dad and I have told him that we will stand by his side and the decision that he makes.

My dad fought in Vietnam, was in the special forces working with the government when he got back. My dad was/is my hero and always will be.

I am so proud of our men and women/and their families. Sometime we get wrapped up in our military men and women that we forget about their families at home that are keeping the home fires burning for them while they are gone over seas..

It is also because of these families that our military men and women remain strong and their faith remain strong.

We need to thank the families also, they are giving up big sacrifices having their soliders gone......

What a great way to enjoy our freedom. With out the whole picture- we would have nothing here in America....

God Bless our troops and their families this weekend and always
Jeanne

Hi Im new to this portion. I saw this post and thought "MUST READ NOW". I am prior Navy (did 5 years) my entire family has been Navy. My husband is now in Mirimar, a naval prison in San Diego, Ca. He is there for a crime he didnt do. I know alot of people say that but in my case its true. We have a polygraph proving his innocence. I sit here and think about the phrase that our parents pounded into our heads as children: one white lie can escalate into one BIG lie. That is so very very true. My husbands ex got angry with him for remarrying, so she told a small white lie (or so she thought). She thought all she was going to do was get him in some trouble and just make our lives miserable for a few months. But 1.5 years of trial later and now looking at a 2yr sentence our lives are a living hell. She knew she was lying, even told the judge she was lying, but because she had dug such a hole and weaved such a web of lies and deciet, my hubby is now somewhere he should NEVER be. I always believed in the military ( i still do) but Im so angry with them right now. They always boast "we protect our own" Well where was the protection here? They chose to take the civilian ex wifes side of the story and run with it and boy did they run. It was 4 months into the investigation before they asked his side of the story and by then they had already formed an opinion. So now no matter what he said he was a liar. Im glad hes out of that hell, granted he is in another one, but when he is done there we can move on with our life and forget this happenend.
Ok sorry for the long post.
I am really glad to find that others are dealing with loved ones in a military prison.

I, too, am a military brat. Every male predecessor has served in some capacity or other. I lost an uncle on the Yorktown in WWI, an uncle in Korea (the image of the Medic on the Veteran's wall is his), my father retired after serving 23 years in the USAF, as well as in all branches of the service, both my brothers have served, and my son served briefly, but proudly. To all of them, and to all who have served and will serve, I can only say Thank You. The following poem was found tacked to the wall behind the cash register at a local "antique/junk dealer." It makes a powerful statement.

“It is the SOLDIER, not the reporter,
who has given us the freedom of the press.”

“It is the SOLDIER, not the campus organizer,
who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.”

“It is the SOLDIER, not the poet, who has given
us the freedom of speech.”

“It is the SOLDIER who salutes the flag,
who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is
draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag.”


- Author Unknown