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etraveler13
B.V. Info-a-holic
Joined: Mar 13, 2003
Posts: 5813
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 Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:10 am Post subject: The Value of Service.... |
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Subject: FW: The Value of Service
Importance: High
This came from a close friend at Eielson AFB. You are the third generation to receive it.
Randy Harris
Chief City Marshal
San Angelo, Texas
325 657-4476
I thought it was a good article to share.
KENT S. COKER, Colonel, AKANG
Vice Commander, 168th Air Refueling Wing DSN 317-377-8728
The Value of Service
By Lt. Col. Mark Murphy
354th Maintenance Group deputy commander
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- I learned a big lesson on service Aug.
4,
2008, when Eielson had the rare honor of hosting President Bush on a refueling stop as he traveled to Asia.
It was an event Eielson will never forget -- a hangar full of Airmen and Soldiers getting to see the Commander in Chief up close, and perhaps even shaking his hand. An incredible amount of effort goes into presidential travel because of all of the logistics, security, protocol, etc ... so it was remarkable to see Air Force One land at Eielson on time at precisely 4:30 p.m.--however, when he left less than two hours later, the President was 15 minutes behind schedule.
That's a big slip for something so tightly choreographed, but very few people know why it happened. Here's why.
On Dec. 10, 2006, our son, Shawn, was a paratrooper deployed on the outskirts of Baghdad. He was supposed to spend the night in camp, but when a fellow soldier became ill Shawn volunteered to take his place on a nighttime patrol--in the convoy's most exposed position as turret gunner in the lead Humvee. He was killed instantly with two other soldiers when an IED ripped through their vehicle.
I was thinking about that as my family and I sat in the audience listening to the President's speech, looking at the turret on the up-armored Humvee the explosive ordnance disposal flight had put at the edge of the stage as a static display.
When the speech was over and the President was working the crowd line, I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see a White House staff member.
She
asked me and my wife to come with her, because the President wanted to meet us.
Stunned, we grabbed our two sons that were with us and followed her back into a conference room. It was a shock to go from a crowded, noisy hangar, past all of those security people, to find ourselves suddenly alone in a quiet room.
The only thing we could hear was a cell phone vibrating, and noticed that it was coming from the jacket Senator Stevens left on a chair. We didn't answer.
A short time later, the Secret Service opened the door and President Bush walked in. I thought we might get to shake his hand as he went through.
But
instead, he walked up to my wife with his arms wide, pulled her in for a hug and a kiss, and said, "I wish I could heal the hole in your heart." He then grabbed me for a hug, as well as each of our sons. Then he turned and said, "Everybody out."
A few seconds later, the four of us were completely alone behind closed doors with the President of the United States and not a Secret Service agent in sight.
He said, "Come on, let's sit down and talk." He pulled up a chair at the side of the room, and we sat down next to him. He looked a little tired from his trip, and he noticed that his shoes were scuffed up from leaning over concrete barriers to shake hands and pose for photos. He slumped down the chair, completely relaxed, smiled, and suddenly was no longer the President
- he was just a guy with a job, sitting around talking with us like a family member at a barbeque.
For the next 15 or 20 minutes, he talked with us about our son, Iraq, his family, faith, convictions, and shared his feelings about nearing the end of his presidency. He asked each of our teenaged sons what they wanted to do in life and counseled them to set goals, stick to their convictions, and not worry about being the "cool" guy.
He said that he'd taken a lot of heat during his tenure and was under a lot of pressure to do what's politically expedient, but was proud to say that he never sold his soul. Sometimes he laughed, and at others he teared up.
He
said that what he'll miss most after leaving office will be his role as Commander in Chief.
One of the somber moments was when he thanked us for the opportunity to meet, because he feels a heavy responsibility knowing that our son died because of a decision he made. He was incredibly humble, full of warmth, and completely without pretense. We were seeing the man his family sees.
We couldn't believe how long he was talking to us, but he seemed to be in no hurry whatsoever. In the end, he thanked us again for the visit and for the opportunity to get off his feet for a few minutes. He then said, "Let's get some pictures." The doors flew open, Secret Service and the White House photographer came in, and suddenly he was the President again. We posed for individual pictures as he gave each of us one of his coins, and then he posed for family pictures. A few more thank yous, a few more hugs, and he was gone.
The remarkable thing about the whole event was that he didn't have to see us at all. If he wanted to do more, he could've just given a quick handshake and said, "Thanks for your sacrifice." But he didn't - he put everything and everyone in his life on hold to meet privately with the family of a Private First Class who gave his life in the service of his country.
What an incredible lesson on service. If the President of the United States is willing to drop everything on his plate to visit with a family, surely the rest of us can do it. No one is above serving another person, and no one is so lofty that he or she can't treat others with dignity and respect.
We often think of service in terms of sacrificing ourselves for someone in a position above us, but how often do we remember that serving someone below us can be much more important? If you're in a leadership capacity, take a good look at how you're treating your people, and remember that your role involves serving the people you rely on every day. |
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hansdew
B.V. Info Seeker
Joined: Jan 02, 2008
Posts: 957
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| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:43 am Post subject: |
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Incredibly humble?
I think that someone has confused humility with charming personality. |
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Nesaie
B.V. Info-a-holic
Joined: Aug 04, 2005
Posts: 10412
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| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 12:31 pm Post subject: |
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Sounded like a celebration of martyrdom by a Bush groupie. I never realized he had his own groupies before. 
BTW, here is your link etraveler:
http://www.eielson.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123111092
Its a government approved message, just like all those other lies this government has told us.
Thanks for more propaganda "catapulted" our way. We needed more fertilizer for our organic produce. But the manure from this government is probably radioactive, so I won't be using this crap. |
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_________________
Soma: All the advantages of Christianity and alcohol; none of their defects.
Have you had your Soma today? |
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etraveler13
B.V. Info-a-holic
Joined: Mar 13, 2003
Posts: 5813
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 3:26 am Post subject: |
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Absolutely my pleasure Nesaie, nice to know that a common message can be so totally misconstrued and spun by your ilk to attempt to make it meaningless. Luckily, values and common sense win out the day.
But then, its JMO.
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hansdew
B.V. Info Seeker
Joined: Jan 02, 2008
Posts: 957
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:31 am Post subject: |
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Bush's message has been received loudly and clearly.
I prefer my piles of sh*t w/o frosting on top please. |
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evutch
B.V. Info Seeker
Joined: Sep 24, 2006
Posts: 2742
Location: the lions den, reptiles lair, and satans playground-DC
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:42 am Post subject: |
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i would never belittle anyones chance to meet a "leader".
it must have been somewhat inspiring..if not comforting..
he did it behind closed doors..
i would take that as a personal message with me.
to remember a great meeting from the man, and maybe a little of the office.
a presidential visit, is a presidential visit.
however, i would ask etrav if he would feel proud of such a meeting.
and again, would he feel as proud if the president had been Bill?
Obama? Hillary?
if not, then it is purely political, and not historic, and the importance of that meeting is meaningless. |
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matty_j
B.V. Lurker
Joined: Dec 27, 2006
Posts: 59
Location: Melbourne Australia
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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I personally think that it's the least he could have done, after all the soldier killed by the IED would not have been in iraq in the first place if bush had decided not to invade the country. So really this article is saying that the best Mr bush could do is sit down for 15mins with this family who has lost there son in war and give them a speech about issues on iraq his family etc etc......Pfffft.
Sounds like a quite a poor effort imo. |
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theking
B.V. Info Seeker
Joined: Aug 19, 2008
Posts: 690
Location: Washington, D.C.
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| Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:17 am Post subject: |
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| matty_j wrote: |
I personally think that it's the least he could have done, after all the soldier killed by the IED would not have been in iraq in the first place if bush had decided not to invade the country. So really this article is saying that the best Mr bush could do is sit down for 15mins with this family who has lost there son in war and give them a speech about issues on iraq his family etc etc......Pfffft.
Sounds like a quite a poor effort imo. |
God forbid the President of the United States have other things to do.
When was the last time you sat down with a KIA's family?
Answer: Never.
Yet another keyboard warrior whose mantra reads "Do as I say, not as I do". |
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_________________
"I fear not for the banning of the book. I fear for the hunger to read the book. Why should one ban a book no one cares to read?" |
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hansdew
B.V. Info Seeker
Joined: Jan 02, 2008
Posts: 957
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| Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:20 am Post subject: |
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| theking wrote: |
| matty_j wrote: |
I personally think that it's the least he could have done, after all the soldier killed by the IED would not have been in iraq in the first place if bush had decided not to invade the country. So really this article is saying that the best Mr bush could do is sit down for 15mins with this family who has lost there son in war and give them a speech about issues on iraq his family etc etc......Pfffft.
Sounds like a quite a poor effort imo. |
God forbid the President of the United States have other things to do.
When was the last time you sat down with a KIA's family?
Answer: Never. |
Here's what is historic:
The refusal to allow media to photograph returning coffins.
The refusal of the president to attend funerals of fallen soldiers. |
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hansdew
B.V. Info Seeker
Joined: Jan 02, 2008
Posts: 957
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| Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:21 am Post subject: |
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| theking wrote: |
| matty_j wrote: |
I personally think that it's the least he could have done, after all the soldier killed by the IED would not have been in iraq in the first place if bush had decided not to invade the country. So really this article is saying that the best Mr bush could do is sit down for 15mins with this family who has lost there son in war and give them a speech about issues on iraq his family etc etc......Pfffft.
Sounds like a quite a poor effort imo. |
God forbid the President of the United States have other things to do.
When was the last time you sat down with a KIA's family?
Answer: Never. |
Here's what is historic:
The refusal to allow media to photograph returning coffins.
Flying KIA's home under the cover of darkness. WTF kind of honor does that show?
The refusal of the president to attend funerals of fallen soldiers. |
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theking
B.V. Info Seeker
Joined: Aug 19, 2008
Posts: 690
Location: Washington, D.C.
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| Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:40 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| The refusal to allow media to photograph returning coffins. |
Because the sheople can't handle it. Don't blame anyone but yourself for weakness. Once they realize their audacity got someone killed, it's all about retraction and attempting to turn back the clock of time.
| Quote: |
| Flying KIA's home under the cover of darkness. WTF kind of honor does that show? |
Bodies are not escorted under the cover of darkness. Do we like to make things up?
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| The refusal of the president to attend funerals of fallen soldiers. |
Normally, I might care. But Bush makes repeated visits to active & reserve military components. Clinton was terrible, Obama is going to be even more pathetic. |
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_________________
"I fear not for the banning of the book. I fear for the hunger to read the book. Why should one ban a book no one cares to read?" |
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Computer_Guy
B.V. Info-a-holic
Joined: Sep 28, 2001
Posts: 7897
Location: US
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| Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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| theking wrote: |
| Quote: |
| The refusal to allow media to photograph returning coffins. |
Because the sheople can't handle it. Don't blame anyone but yourself for weakness. Once they realize their audacity got someone killed, it's all about retraction and attempting to turn back the clock of time.
| Quote: |
| Flying KIA's home under the cover of darkness. WTF kind of honor does that show? |
Bodies are not escorted under the cover of darkness. Do we like to make things up?
| Quote: |
| The refusal of the president to attend funerals of fallen soldiers. |
Normally, I might care. But Bush makes repeated visits to active & reserve military components. Clinton was terrible, Obama is going to be even more pathetic. |
And this weeks Bootlicker Award Goes To shoe polish breath  What do you use to get that black crap off your tongue KY  |
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_________________
Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind.
JFK |
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theking
B.V. Info Seeker
Joined: Aug 19, 2008
Posts: 690
Location: Washington, D.C.
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| Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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Bootlicker?
I'm not the one who asked a cockswinging question. |
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_________________
"I fear not for the banning of the book. I fear for the hunger to read the book. Why should one ban a book no one cares to read?" |
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screamzero
B.V. Info Seeker
Joined: Feb 08, 2008
Posts: 2433
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| Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 2:05 am Post subject: |
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| evutch wrote: |
i would never belittle anyones chance to meet a "leader".
it must have been somewhat inspiring..if not comforting..
he did it behind closed doors..
i would take that as a personal message with me.
to remember a great meeting from the man, and maybe a little of the office.
a presidential visit, is a presidential visit.
however, i would ask etrav if he would feel proud of such a meeting.
and again, would he feel as proud if the president had been Bill?
Obama? Hillary?
if not, then it is purely political, and not historic, and the importance of that meeting is meaningless. |
bull **it |
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matty_j
B.V. Lurker
Joined: Dec 27, 2006
Posts: 59
Location: Melbourne Australia
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| Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:23 am Post subject: |
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| theking wrote: |
| matty_j wrote: |
I personally think that it's the least he could have done, after all the soldier killed by the IED would not have been in iraq in the first place if bush had decided not to invade the country. So really this article is saying that the best Mr bush could do is sit down for 15mins with this family who has lost there son in war and give them a speech about issues on iraq his family etc etc......Pfffft.
Sounds like a quite a poor effort imo. |
God forbid the President of the United States have other things to do.
When was the last time you sat down with a KIA's family?
Answer: Never.
Yet another keyboard warrior whose mantra reads "Do as I say, not as I do". |
Yeh we know he has other things to do, like plan another war before he is removed from office so he can sit down for another 15mins with another family who has lost there son in battle.
And im telling you now if i was president i could do better than a 15min sit down i assure you. And the only keyboard warrior here is you king, always trying to start an argument over the internet, wouldnt that suggest you are the fool here?
Also please dont reply to this king because i dont wish to get into a forum fight as it proves nothing other than the size of you E penis. So if you do reply everyone here will know just how much of a looser you are.
Peace. |
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