Justin,
What a warm, wonderful and inspiring message.


On behalf of Veterans, you are greatly appreciated and your effort does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. With your Blog or on your site, I would ask you to consider a link and request support of the USO. Sometimes all we had to link us to our home and a small slice of sanity was the USO. During the Vietnam Era their slogan was: "Someone you know needs USO".


As a man that has "never been in a fist fight" we know the personal commitment it took to make this trip and appreciate your reflection on the awesome and crushing burden the young men and women of our Armed Forces have to endure on our behalf and in our stead.


Thanks for recounting the "Fallen Comrade Ceremony". With the blackout on ceremonies for these returning heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice, it is your eyes and testimony that keeps it real and alive for this generation. Scrolling names on a TV screen is what so many have be relegated to and without your observations and pennings, the reality of the loss of these precious lives, these irreplaceable Americans, theses sons, daughter, brothers, sister, fathers and mothers will dim in our collective memories.


Thank you for witnessing your own metamorphous and articulating your new or renewed appreciation for our armed forces.


I just had to smile on one of your observations tho; when you stated "most of them younger than me".
Duh! Aren't you ready for a Medicare card?! Or is it just that you LOOK old! hahaha I'm assuming it was you that got us the senior discount at the Orleans Casino Cafe!

Peace, my friend, Mike
 

Im sorry bout the soldier.
Cant wait to hear your stories and see pics
 

After reading this, this moment is probably the most I've EVER admired you Justin, and that is saying a lot. I really respect you for posting that you admire the soldiers, even knowing that you're a liberal and probably are against the war your support for your country is admirable. Your amazzzing. Be safe, and God Bless.


<33Felice
 

What an amazing opportunity!! I love how you share the effects this experience has had on you and your perception of the armed forces.

You write very well, and the discription of the casket passing by as the soldiers lined up in honor of their fallen comrade brought me to tears. A sceen I am sure that plays out daily for them. So many and yes just kids really have already given their lives and so many more will in the future. If it is this war or the next. Our armed forces are a vital part of our daily lives, but most of us don't even have a clue.

I wish more were able to see things first hand. Maybe then when they protest they would be a little more respectful for the men and women who are giving their lives for this war or that war or whatever war we are fighting. I have a nephew in the Marines serving in Iraq, due to come home at the end of the month. He knew signing up he would go over seas, as did most of the soldiers over there, they all have different reasons for signing up, but they signed up and they are all on the line and they need our support regardless how we feel about the war it's self. So many miss that in their protest. My father served in the Army as well as one of my brothers. We lived in Bremerton WA. for 15 years so I know many men and women who have or are currently serving in our military forces.


They are amazing!!!! They are fighting for not only for the freedom and safety of America but many others as well. I HATE war. It would be nice to live in a world of Peace, sadly we do not. It saddens me greatly when people go past the protest of war and belittle what our men and women are doing for the sake of freedom and safety.


My nephew has been in Iraq since Feb. and has changed so dramatically it is shocking.


War changes people, just as you said you are forced to see your own mortality. They watch their friend and comrades killed before their eyes. He (my nephew, Kevin Walls) has been softened by his experience, yet the anger of war rages on.
You think of each of the soldiers on both side of any war, we are all the same, fighting for what we believe in right or wrong, willing to give their lives for the sake of their country, or and cause, yet broken by their own loss and hearts are softened to those they love and care for, and YET the anger of war rages on!

It is wonderful for the soldiers to have visitors willing to go to them, go where they have to be for the cause, to go and support and lift their spirits. For war is not just raging around them but in them as they fight for the physical and emotion strength to carry on until they are returned to the arms of their loved ones. They carry scars physical and emotional as reminder of the cause; the cause... of freedom, and safety.


Thanks for lifting spirits and may the Lord protect you as you spread some joy and take a piece of home to our men and women over seas.

 

You have such a good way with words, Justin. I can't wait for some videos and pictures.

 

After waking up this morning, turning on the news, getting the computer ready for the day and making the coffee I had hear of two special deaths in this world before coming here.


Bernie Mac died at age 50 and the family of the men's volleyball coach were attacked and his wife lost her father.


I'm saddened by the what you witnessed and grateful for the job the soldier did. Can't wait for all Americans to be back on US soil and safe with their loved one's.


Stay safe Justin and come home soon

Tina
 

Hi! After I read your blog, my heart breaks to hear about soldier. It is so sad. I'm sorry for that person and others. But I'm glad that you are safe thou. :) I'm looking forward to your pictures and blog soon.

 

you are truly amazing.

i admire you so much.


thank you so much for writing that, very very well written :)

much love and respect <3

karli
 

Thanks for this Justin...This means a lot to me as I do not like war but I support the troops. And pray for them and their families.

 

You got to see what these people go through every day man so my hat is off to them.
Who stand silently on the roadside at attention, probably wondering if and/or when it will be there turn or if by God's grace and mercy they will be the ones that will somehow get to come home and hug and kiss family members again, play with their kids again and just live and breathe the free air we get to here in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WHICH BY THE WAY PEOPLE IS STILL AND ALWAYS WILL BE ONE NATION UNDER GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Justin I am glad you got to go over there please don't think I am mimimizing that in anyway however I feel all the kudos REALLY go to the soliers (fallen or not) who have been over there for so very very long and all of their families that have been waiting day after day after day for word that there loved ones are getting to come home!!!! No disrespect intended to you Justin I am still lovin' you in Seatle and I respect your ALTERED PERCEPTION and the abilities we now how for you to share that with us!!! Please for you and all the soliers you come into contact with in the future MUCH LOVE AND BLESSINGS TO ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Lisa I can't speak for Justin, but I would bet you anything that he would be the very first one to agree with you on the point that you made. And I feel sure he will reiterate those sentiments in many thoughtful and caring ways and words when he returns home.

 

Hey my sister is serving in Kabul Afghanistan..Right now...that was really good!!!!I am glad you appreciate the soldiers!!!
 

Everyone who has served, and everyone who has family or friends who have served, appreciates what you are doing. Thank you.
:)
 

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Justin that's wondeful you are there supporting our Troops. I was a young girl when the Vietinam Vets came home and remember how horribly they were treated. So glad this generation has not repeated that nightmare. Was it HOT! My bf is in Iraq and he says some days it's like 120! ewwwwwwwwwwwwwe! Looking forward to hearing more and seeing the pictures.
Who was with you? Is that Nadia Turner? BTW I'm really proud of the person you still are!
Love Rosequeen

PS We would sure like to know in advance where you are going to be as I would love to see you in Northern Califonia sometime.

 

Thank you Justin for sharing your kind thoughts with us. Our son is serving in the Air Force and it is wonderful to hear something good said about our military.

Blessings, Julia
 

Can't wait to hear about the rest of your expierence, be safe over there!

Miss you boo <333
 

Justin,
Thanks so much for your insights and great compassion! I look forward to hearing and seeing more about this part of the world through your eyes. Keep up the good work.
Be safe and God Bless You!

LK
 

As a parent of a soldier in Iraq on sea duty and a military parent of several "adopted" children, thank you for taking the time to give to our guys/gals. And thank you very much for sharing the fallen comrade ceremony from your view.


I heard from my son at the time period you were able to participate. Though I feel blessed my son is safe at the moment, my heart goes out to the families of those who have bravely fought and fallen.


May all of us take the time for a moment of prayer and silence as we let what you have shared wash over us.

 

Justin, I hear ya man! My husband is one of the Commanders there at Bagram for the Medical Supply units. He will not be back until May 2009.


You stood with my husband at the same ceremony this morning...How amazing is that.


I understand a lot of people don't truly understand until they get a first hand look and feel of what is like to themselves. My husband has been my eyes and ears there. And although I wasn't necesarily pleased with his deployment, it has certainly been a life changing experience for our family.


Thanks for your support man!

Joceylin
 

In his short message, Justin could not have brought the feeling home to us any more than with the story of the Fallen Soldier, and the honor shown to him or her in the small hours of the dark night. I had never heard anything quite like it before. And now I will never forget it.

 

Hey Justin I loved your blog very well written was it interesting to be with all the air force citizens ?
 

Thank you for the update. The description of the Fallen Comrade Ceremony was very touching. I can't wait to read more about your experiences. Praying for your safe return. Still praying for our troops that guard our freedom and put their lives on the line on a daily basis.

 

Justin, I have always respected and admired you from the start and you know that - but I don't think I could respect or admire you any more than I do at this moment. I've been away from the board so I didn't know you were in Afghanistan. Thank you for continuing to blog and share your experiences overseas with all of us back home. It's so easy to watch the news and think of the soldiers overseas as faceless names, but your blogging makes it all so much more personal, and heartbreaking. Please stay safe over there, and continue to share the story of your trip with us. I'll be waiting for the next installment.


Take care,
love always,
Cin (the 500 mile girl)
 

Justin, You should be a journalist. After all the reading I've done this evening, it seems your blog contains the only real news worth reading. Thank you for sharing your experience and pics with us. I feel very fortunate to be sitting behind my computer in good ole Kentucky at 11:20pm with the xm radio on, door unlocked, windows open, and bottomless drink in hand. I only wish our troops could do the same. Please send them our heartfelt thanks for all their sacrifices.


Eve
 

awww those poor soliders=(