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Independence Day

hsbbwebhsbbwebhsbbweb
Hi All,
It has been a long time since I have visited or posted, and I am sure that many will not even know who I am (or care) Big Grin

Here's hoping that everyone has a great 4th of July holiday, and to those serving in out armed forces I wish for your safe keeping.

For our family this takes on a special, close to home meaning this year. Our oldest son (Brian) decided at the age of 28 (two years ago) to join the Navy! He took his career and college degree in sports medicine physical therapy and decided to serve his country.

He told us it was what he felt that he was meant to do?

Currently he is in Afghanistan attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, an assignment that he volunteered for. Maybe a Pat Tillman syndrome? If you haven't seen or read news about the issues in Afghanistan it is the "hot spot" in the world right now, more deadly the last two months than Iraq.

The 24th MEU is right at the fore front of the mission there. 3,200 young men and women doing what they were ordered to do, trained to do, with pride and courage.

It's funny how your opinion of such things changes when it comes so close to home. I have a nephew that is an Army Ranger, serving in Iraq. While we care very much for his well being, perspectives change when it is your son, daughter, brother, sister, mother or father.

We found out yesterday that due to troop shortages the 24th will be "extended" another 30 days on this deployment. Brian was supposed to be home in late September, which would work out well for the birth of his first child (yes I am finally going to be a grandpa - man I am getting old). Now it looks like he will miss the birth of his son, due in mid October.

When you are gathering for whatever event your family and friends will be doing this 4th of July take a moment and give thanks to the young men and women in our "All Volunteer" military that have put themselves in harms way for the freedoms and privledges that we all take for granted.

God Bless America
Bob, "Former" Head Cook and Bottle Washer
Last edited {1}
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L lafmom5,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by hsbbweb:

For our family this takes on a special, close to home meaning this year. Our oldest son (Brian) decided at the age of 28 (two years ago) to join the Navy! He took his career and college degree in sports medicine physical therapy and decided to serve his country.

He told us it was what he felt that he was meant to do?

Currently he is in Afghanistan attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, an assignment that he volunteered for. Maybe a Pat Tillman syndrome? If you haven't seen or read news about the issues in Afghanistan it is the "hot spot" in the world right now, more deadly the last two months than Iraq.

The 24th MEU is right at the fore front of the mission there. 3,200 young men and women doing what they were ordered to do, trained to do, with pride and courage.

It's funny how your opinion of such things changes when it comes so close to home. I have a nephew that is an Army Ranger, serving in Iraq. While we care very much for his well being, perspectives change when it is your son, daughter, brother, sister, mother or father.

We found out yesterday that due to troop shortages the 24th will be "extended" another 30 days on this deployment. Brian was supposed to be home in late September, which would work out well for the birth of his first child (yes I am finally going to be a grandpa - man I am getting old). Now it looks like he will miss the birth of his son, due in mid October.

When you are gathering for whatever event your family and friends will be doing this 4th of July take a moment and give thanks to the young men and women in our "All Volunteer" military that have put themselves in harms way for the freedoms and privledges that we all take for granted.

God Bless America

Bob, first of all - it's great to see you here!

Secondly, my own son joined the National Guard last year and is currently at basic training in OK right now. I cannot tell you how many times the thoughts you share have gone through my head! That is without my son even being in harm's way. I believe folks have no idea how many National Guardsmen are in Iraq and Afghanistan right now as our full time military is stretched so thin. His own unit just got back a couple of months ago (he didn't have to go since he hadn't completed basic). I was highly opposed to my son joining the military and I have battled my own feelings of guilt because of that as I allowed that to be stronger than the sense of pride I felt in him. Just to see what these young people go through in the learning process is amazing. I can't imagine how you and other parents that I know get through their days with their son or daughter facing the challenges and fears in foreign soil. My prayers go up right now for your son and others to be safe this day and forward as well as all the loving parents who face each day with worry and concern.

God bless America and most especially those like your son who are working so hard on our behalf.
06catcherdad06catcherdad1,000+ posts
Bob, first of all, welcome back to your creation! It's good to see you back here visiting the best amateur baseball website in existence, especially since it wouldn't exist if it weren't for you.

We all need to keep our brave men and women in mind over this Independence Day holiday. I make a point of telling my players each summer that when we're traveling (headed to East Cobb this Sunday night, in fact), that when they see service members in the airports to remember to thank them for their service, for without them doing what they do for us and our country, we might not be able to do what we all do.

Happy 4th of July, everyone!
ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
quote:
When you are gathering for whatever event your family and friends will be doing this 4th of July take a moment and give thanks to the young men and women in our "All Volunteer" military that have put themselves in harms way for the freedoms and privledges that we all take for granted.

It is my pleasure to honor that request Smile

Welcome back indeed Bob! When I started in late 2004, you were beginning to wind down here. Very nice to hear from you at this time. All the best to you and your family
observer44observer441,000+ posts
Bob...

Request also honored.

I'm not sure we can fully apprciate/understand how emotional/close such comittments into harms way are unless we have a loved one engaged in such activites. You and yours have our appreciation for your courage.

I'd add congratulations for your new title: "Former" Head Cook and Bottle Washer AND soon-to-be Grandfather.

You will not be forgotten or underappreciated....we DO care.

Cool 44
.
FutureBack.MomFutureBack.Mom1,000+ posts
Hey, Bob ..

Wonderful to hear from you !!! And congratulations on the coming arrival of your first grandchile.

Thanks for giving us all a reminder of how very much we owe our warriors who serve us on a daily basis in all parts of the world. I admire the young men and women who commit themselves to this special calling, and I truly believe it is a calling.

lafmom ...

I think I can understand at least a little how you must have felt when learning that your son was electing to serve our country and I would have been right there with you.

May God bless both of these young men, and all of their fellow soldiers/airmen/marines/sailors/guardsmen as they face the challenges ahead.

Thank you !!
CPLZCPLZ1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by hsbbweb:
It's funny how your opinion of such things changes when it comes so close to home. I have a nephew that is an Army Ranger, serving in Iraq. While we care very much for his well being, perspectives change when it is your son, daughter, brother, sister, mother or father.

God Bless America


Ain't that the truth. Very different having served and then sending a son off to serve.

Honor the fallen, VOTE.
L LLorton100+ posts
hsbbweb said: For our family this takes on a special, close to home meaning this year. Our oldest son (Brian) decided at the age of 28 (two years ago) to join the Navy! He took his career and college degree in sports medicine physical therapy and decided to serve his country.
_______________________________________________________

The spirit of your son, of his decision is the same in alignment with those men who on July 4th 1776, who chose a course of action to make it official that their vote to fight for independence represented something worthy even to that of death which is every man's right to live free from tyranny.

Congratulations to you for bringing up such a courageous and righteous man.

The Declaration of Independence
http://www.barefootsworld.net/doi1776.html

May you all have a safe and free Independence Day.
JMO
MN-MomMN-MomHSBaseballWeb Owner
Bob (hsbbweb), how very nice to see your post!

(For any newer members who didn't notice from the name and avatar, hsbbweb is the famous Bob who built this site over 10 years ago, and then turned it over to me in 2005.)

Thank you Bob, for your reminder of the men and women who keep "Independence Day" alive. Freedom isn't free. The sacrifices and dedication of heroes like your son make it possible. I am saying an extra prayer for your son and his "teammates" today.

The 4th of July is a good day to repeat a link I posted a week ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGhzOvhDGp0

God Bless all of those who are serving to make freedom ... Independence Day ... possible!

Julie
O Orlando1,000+ posts
Bob, wonderful to hear your update! Thanks for visiting. One of the many joys of holidays is hearing from old friends.

Brian will be in my thoughts; I had heard on the news about the 30 day extention in Afghanistan because of the increase in activity there. Please let us know when he is safely home.

Your creation has offered so much help an support to those of us in the baseball community; please thank Brian for the help and support he is giving to the world community.
FungoFungoHighly Regarded and Beloved Old Timer
Bob it's good to hear from you. Thanks for all you have done in the past! Your contribution has made a REAL impact on baseball!!! It's obvious by your post that the spirit of giving continues on into the next generation with Brian's service to all of us. Give my thanks to him too. So you're going to be a grandfather? Congratulations! “T” ball will once again become important --- very important! Smile You're not old ---- My oldest grandson starts college (LSU) this fall.
Forever grateful to you,
Fungo
FrankFFrankF1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by hsbbweb:
Hi All,
It has been a long time since I have visited or posted, and I am sure that many will not even know who I am (or care) Big Grin


Trust me Bob, if the newer members knew the whole story, they would care! This site wouldn't be possible without your vision for it.

Prayers for your son and all who serve in our armed forces. As the saying goes, "Freedom isn't free".
B Bee>1,000+ posts
Bob, it's great that you're coming around, your pride in Brian is well founded . . he and all his bretheren (gender neural) are always in our thouhts & prayers.

quote:
by lafmom: my own son joined the National Guard last year and is currently at basic training . . . I was highly opposed to my son joining the military and I have battled my own feelings of guilt because of that as I allowed that to be stronger than the sense of pride I felt in him. Just to see what these young people go through in the learning process is amazing
same as above regarding thoughts & prayers . . .
the obvious conclusion is that you raised a fine MAN with strong convictions - - kudos Smile

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