Some pics of inspiration

[Njaco]

THE ONLY FLAG THAT DOESN'T FLY

Between the fields where the flag is planted, there are 9+ miles of flower fields that go all the way to the ocean.

The flowers are grown by seed companies. It's a beautiful place, close to Brandenburg AFB.

Check out the dimensions of the flag. The 2002 Floral Flag is 740 feet long and 390 feet wide and maintains the proper Flag dimensions, as described in Executive Order #10834.

This Flag is 6.65 acres and is the first Floral Flag to be planted with 5 pointed Stars, comprised of White Larkspur. Each Star is 24 feet in diameter; each Stripe is 30 feet wide.

This Flag is estimated to contain more than 400,000 Larkspur plants, with 4-5 flower stems each, for a total of more than 2 million flowers.

You can drive by this flag on V Street south of Ocean Ave. in Lompoc , CA.

Aerial photo courtesy of Bill Morson Soldiers' Prayer

[Lucky13]

[Heinz]

wow! Very impressive

[Njaco]

just had this emailed to me...though not a pic, its thought provoking.

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student,pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark.

He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.
He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.
He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient.
He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other.

He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.

He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth,

but never to clean his rifle.

He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food.

He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all.

He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime.

He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them.
He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat
and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand remove their hat, or even stop talking.

In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy.

He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

And now we even have woman over there in danger,doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so.

As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot..

A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets

please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground troops in Afghanistan, sailors on ships, and airmen in the air, and for those in Iraq.

Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Marine
or Airman, prayer is the very best one.

[Njaco]

Soldiers from Iraq.

[lastwarrior]

Thanks for sharing. Truly inspiring pictures.

[Njaco]

and one that probably doesn't need explanation.

[peterbruce2002]

im not american, yet i still feel that sense of unity and strength and courage for ones country. I feel safer in britain but glad to have an ally in america.

[Konigstiger205]

I've never been much of an american fan but those pictures are.....I can't even think of a fitting word.....too bad that we can't have peace on this planet....always is some madman who wants power and war...my respect to the americans soldiers and my country's soldiers who are in Iraq too.

[Njaco]

I know that this represents American soldiers and , well, I am American but I was hoping that maybe this would also inspire those of other countries and their soldiers. Sometimes we forget that its the person sitting in a dusty foxhole 10,000 miles away or stuffed in a smelly sardine can or alone at 25,000 feet that allows me to buy a Big Mac or run with my kids without too much worry.

This really is for everyone everywhere.

Thanks for the good thoughts.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Originally Posted by Njaco

and one that probably doesn't need explanation.

Pics like that one, allways bring a tear to my eye.

[ccheese]

This is something that will put a lump in your throat. I feel extremely proud
when I see our flag go by, or hear a marching tune, and I think of our men
and women "over there". I've always been a patrotic S.O.B. and I wonder,
if I was younger, would I want to go...... Or would I say, "I've been to
Korea and to Nam....... let someone else do it" ? Makes you wonder.....

Charles

[Njaco]

I believe that is my one regret, that I didn't serve. Yeah its cool to like warplanes and I have my little modeling hobby, but when I used to hear my Dad and my brother talk about military things, I wish I had the guts to step up and pay back some of the freedoms I enjoy.

Sometimes I wish we had a "do-over" in life, you know to correct the things you learn about the first time through.

[ToughOmbre]

Originally Posted by Njaco

I believe that is my one regret, that I didn't serve. Yeah its cool to like warplanes and I have my little modeling hobby, but when I used to hear my Dad and my brother talk about military things, I wish I had the guts to step up and pay back some of the freedoms I enjoy.

Sometimes I wish we had a "do-over" in life, you know to correct the things you learn about the first time through.

Don't be too hard on yourself. Circumstances (sometimes out of our control) often decide what paths we follow. When I was younger, I remember hoping that I could be like my father who fought in the ETO from June 6, 1944 to V-E Day. When the Viet Nam War (certainly much different than WW II) came along I was in the Army National Guard, and never left the states, while buddies of mine from HS were killed. Felt a lot of guilt, but got over it. But I've always believed that had I lived in my father's era, I would have been one of the first to enlist on December 8, 1941.

I have always revered those who serve in the military, especially those that have given their blood in the defense of their homeland.

I could use a couple of "do-overs" myself.

[ccheese]

Originally Posted by ToughOmbre

I could use a couple of "do-overs" myself.

Amen to that.........

Charles