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Saturday, June 9, 2012

"What I Stand For" by David Denning: Thoughts of an American Warrior at War.

Warning's for America's Future!: David Denning: Thoughts of an American Warrior at War.




David Denning
3 hours ago
David’s Thoughts on June 8-9, 2012 in Afghanistan



A cry for help heard far away
A positive thought for my day
Of kids laughing and homework done
To time with grandchild so amazing
Of the windy Thunder winning
To a contract sealed and another to deal
Of a night in a tent with the lightning bugs
To Graduation night and brighter days ahead
Of Birthday past and holiday prep to baseball’s delight
To Sushi and a movie, oh what fright!(I don’t like raw fish)
Of a message, “I am gonna be ok...”
That resonates, with all else said,
Life is worth living in a world with small wonders.

-
Thoughts written during the time between 8 June and 9 June: For many, this is just a transition between days. For me, it can be an eternity. I am airborne,somewhere over Afghanistan, thinking of my years in the military; training,deployments, and sacrifices my family makes because of my chosen profession. The past seven months here have been long, as has the past 11 months away from my children. I needed a reminder to myself why I willingly do the things I do. So I asked on Facebook for family and friends to tell me something positive that has happened to them recently.
Initially I wanted to write it as a poem,(as included above.

But the feelings and emotions turned more into an essay of flowing thoughts and emotions which I have titled



 "What I Stand For"

Pride in the American dream: from a child's innocence of laughter and amazement, we each grow up in a land of running water,modern convenience, and learning to be all we can be, able to rise above what might drag us down. Opportunities abound!

Being able to graduate, young, or old, and fulfill a dream of higher learning; to better ourselves and the lives of those around us, and improve our own self-worth.From little league sports to professional franchises there is joy in each crack of the bat, swoosh of the basket, cheer of the crowd! Often, joined with family, friends, and co-workers, we enjoy an afternoon or evening BBQ. Entertainment at our fingertips everywhere we turn.

Freedom:Freedom of religion; freedom of thought; freedom to live and speak without fear of reprisal; freedom to travel near and far, safely, within a moment’s notice.

Different lives, different experiences—yet every one of us our own individual. Some of us rich in money, others rich in experience, yet joined together in hopes of a better tomorrow for our children and our children’s children living in a peaceful society.

My request for positive feedback yielded more than I even imagined. In reading everyone’s inputs,with more still coming in, I must say, we all have a few main points on our minds. Love of family and friends, love of learning, and appreciation of the simple daily things in life. It can all be summed up in the eyes of a child doing amazingly mundane things that to them is the greatest achievement of their young lives.

Soldiers,Sailors, Airmen, and Marines in the armed services, and I, stand for all this,for it is to be enjoyed, appreciated, and protected, even with laying our lives on the line. We take pride in our service at home and overseas. We do what we do so that our families, friends, and loved ones don’t have to.

When I am asked, why I do it, I humbly want to answer, “So you don’t have to.”



    Karoline Huls, Tess Eden Stoddard and 12 others like this.
        JoAnn Reed Hudson Love your thoughts.....wondering if you received my angel picture
        2 hours ago via mobile · Like
        Rebecca Denning Thank you for your words. Most of all, thank you for your service for our country and family.
        about an hour ago · Like
        Jared Larsen Beautiful!
        49 minutes ago via mobile · Like
        Karoline Huls you are awesome my brother!!
        24 minutes ago · Like
        Peggy Denney Taylor Thank you, David, for sharing your thoughts and serving home and country.

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