To all our Vets, Servicemen and women

Policemen and firemen too....
" Thank you" is one of those wonderful phrases people use to express a special gratitude. But there's often a lot more to it than those two words can say.

When it comes from the heart, from deep inside the nicest feelings and the most special thoughts, "Thank you"means so much.

It means thank you for taking the time to show that you care. It means "you really made my day," and sometimes it means that you really make all the days so much better.
It means you make me feel so nice, and I wish I could do the same for you...
just by letting you know how much you mean to me.

"Thank you" means you didn't have to...
but I'm so grateful that you did.

"Thank you" means that you've done something special that I'll never forget.
Written by Chris Gallatin

I wish to extend a personal thank you for giving of your life so that I can have the quality of life I hold so dear to my heart. Where would I be with out your stand?

fivekulps...I appreciate your thoughts. People just don't realize where we would be without these special people! Speaking as a vet of the USN...I say thanks for taking note. It is much appreciated.

On behalf of my husband - thank you for posting this.

Thank you so much. i have been in the fireservice as a medic for over 16 years and very few times have I ever heard thank you even tho Ive lived here all my life. It is so sad but true that when a life is saved the thank yous dont come as often as when you work so hard and someone goes. More often (and we are volunteer which makes it more rough on us)the people we respond to cuss or yell because we dont get there as quickly as they think we should or mabe we get wrong directions and have to call to ask again or we have to wait for people to get out of bed during the middle of the night in a blizzard and go five miles up a big hill to the firehouse which takes time. i could write a book about peoples inhumanity to people who serve but now folks sadly have seen what courage and steadfastness to duty is like. Everyone stop by the firehouse and police station and especially if you have a volunteer group in your town and say thanks and give a fireman a hug. Shirley

I am one also who is thanful that there is such dedication, courage, selflessness and sacrafice in this world. It is true, where would we be without those jewels of humanity shining into the darkness for us? So very grateful...

And thankyou to those of you who wait for their loved one to come home ... the wives, parents and children who know that their mum or dad have an important job to do and do it with all they have never thinking of themselves but the safety of others.... you too are courageous and giving. It musnt be easy for partners of those in the force ( police, army, navy, ambulance, fireman etc)....

you are all hero's, appreciated and upheld daily..

thankyou

Laura

Fivekulps
Thank you for posting this. I really needed it more then you can imagine. Just a couple of short hours ago, my husband, who is in the Air Force, left to go do what a serviceman is dedicated to do and proudly. I worry for his safety and I will miss him so much. He is half of me. I think the hardest thing is trying to tell my 3 and 4 year old daughters that Daddy isn't coming home tonight from work. They are Daddy's girls in everyway. He loves the USAF and has served for almost 8 years, he will serve for another 12 before he retires. I thank you for posting this as a former active duty USAF member and as a wife. :o)

Thank you for posting..

Byron

Sgt 16th Signal Bn
Germany
Berlin Wall Era.

Prayers with you and yours Bossyhummer. Shirley

Thank you Fivekulps for posting and to Bossyhummer and all protecting us our prayers are with you'

No one knows what it's like to hear the fire ring,usually in the middle of the night.I do' Except those that "protect and serve"


We're all volunteers in our community and must answer the calls,our friends,neighbors or sometimes a stranger in trouble,no matter.It takes us longer to get the needed equipment than big cities,no money,make do. May sound pretty "hokey" to most but there's many of us that live this way. We women watch over while the men are away,yes we do drive the trucks and man the radios and drag the hoses in the pitch dark,here on the prairie. Big cities do answer if they're available otherwise it's our baby.It may be 2001 but can remember when we started working to get our 1st water truck,only 20yr.ago. No matter what we do,if by chance someone says "thanks or good work" it's more than enough for us'

I take my hat off to all our fellow countrymen and women putting their lives on the line for me and mine,everyday'
God Bless America'

Thank you for another excellent post, fivekulps. Bossyhummer, my thoughts and prayers are with you. My brother is a retired Air Force Lt. Col. and a Vietnam veteran.
Thanks to everyone that has taken the time to show their appreciation here.

You're very welcome':D

I know I could not take the stress of being a dispatcher, let alone a police officer, firefighter, EMT, soldier, or any of the offices held by these brave and caring individuals. My thanks, too.

Thanks Vanessa!! Lest we forget!!

Thank you on behalf of my husband, Captain Brent A. Vaughan, United States Air Force.

So true, so true. I was a firefighter and EMT with the local volunteer service out here for 10 years and I have been thanked in so many ways, but my favorite was when a woman just looked at me with tears in her eyes and such a look of love on her face and hugged me. I can't do that to everyone I'd like to thank, all the military people, firefighters, EMTs, police, everyday people who helped others and the ones that lost so much, but I wish I could.

I am rather new to this site, but I feel like I have found an "extended family". I am involved with 5 different sites on Myfamily.com and we had 3 of our family employed at the Pentagon...luckily everyone was OK, but we all need to show our appreciation to all who helped in this sad time. Thank you ALL... New kid on the block..Jo

Welcome to Dave's Garden Roadrunner,glad ya found us'That's good to hear your loved ones were spared' Hope more respond to this worthwhile thread' See ya,Sis'

Hi Jo it's lovely to have you join us! Thank God that your 'family' was spared!!

Thank you for the kind words everyone. The first day was the hardest but now, we are getting by ok. I have found that since he's gone, I have become a compulsive cleaner. Heard from him two days ago and he was fine, I hope to hear something before the weekend is out. My little daughter is taking it the hardest, she crys at least twice a day for her Daddy. I taped a picture I printed off the computer of DH to each of the girls bed and everynight they look at it and say "I love you Daddy" I am counting the days.......

Thank you also on behalf of my daughter
Ssgt. Stephanie Shoram USAF, now stationed in Turkey.

I am thankful so many of you have responded! We are thankful...my sentiment exactly Louisa!! Least we forget!

> If I Knew
> >
> > > If I knew it would be the last time
> > > That I'd see you fall asleep,
> > > I would tuck you in more tightly
> > > and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
> > >
> > > If I knew it would be the last time
> > > that I see you walk out the door,
> > > I would give you a hug and kiss
> > > and call you back for one more.
> > >
> > > If I knew it would be the last time
> > > I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
> > > I would video tape each action and word,
> > > so I could play them back day after day.
> > >
> > > If I knew it would be the last time,
> > > I could spare an extra minute
> > > to stop and say "I love you,"
> > > instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.
> > >
> > > If I knew it would be the last time
> > > I would be there to share your day,
> > > well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
> > > so I can let just this one slip away.
> > >
> > > For surely there's always tomorrow
> > > to make up for an oversight,
> > > and we always get a second chance
> > > to make everything just right.
> > >
> > > There will always be another day
> > > to say "I love you," and certainly there's
> > > another chance to say our "Anything I can do?"
> > > But just in case I might be wrong,
> > > and today is all I get,
> > > I'd like to say how much I love you
> > > and I hope we never forget.
> > >
> > > Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
> > > young or old alike,
> > > And today may be the last chance
> > > you get to hold your loved one tight.
> > >
> > > So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
> > > why not do it today?
> > > For if tomorrow never comes,
> > > you'll surely regret the day,
> > >
> > > That you didn't take that extra time
> > > for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
> > > and you were too busy to grant someone,
> > > what turned out to be their one last wish.
> > > So hold your loved ones close today,
> > > and whisper in their ear,
> > > Tell them how much you love them
> > > and that you'll always hold them dear
> > >
> > > Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
> > > "Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
> > > And if tomorrow never comes,
> > > you'll have no regrets.