A question I was asked today by a teacher.

[tallstack]

Today my social studies teacher ask this question. "If you were given $5000.00 and could only use it for travel (vacation) where would you go, and what would you do. First off, that's not enough money because I would want to go on a new Harley fat bob. Oh God, I love that style of bike. Gives me a stiffy just thinking about it .

Anyway, most everyone wanted to fly somewhere to some goofy far off land. You know, like this is the time to leave the safety of America and end up like them silly women that went hiking in Iran. Can you believe that! Like, can't they find someplace here in America to hike! They get their silly selfs over there and cry 'Oh come get us! They are treating us bad and doing us wrong!' Well DUH! Keep your goofy butt at home!
Hmmm, I kinda lost it there for a minute, sorry about that. Most wanted to Go to Disneyland, go to Germany and run the autobahn. Amsterdam, so they could buy over the counter weed. You get the idea

Myself, I made my teacher cry. I didn't mean to but when I finished she stood up and excused herself from the room and was gone for about five minutes to compose herself. This is what I said...

" If I could develop faith enough in my old Dodge (The 'Hop Hauler' as everyone knows it by) , I would drive to Abraham Lincolns tomb in Illinois. I would get there early and spend the day just sitting and looking at it, taking pictures and talking to his tomb. I have many, many things to say. All good. I would then drive to the Vietnam wall and spend the day just reading names.

The next day,,, I would go to Arlington National Cemetery. I would walk and kneel at every grave I possibly could, read and put my fingers into the engraved letters and follow as I read. I would drag my fingers across these stones until my fingers were bleeding and swollen with pain. I would rise and kneel until my knees failed me and I would need assistance getting to my feet and possibly to the Hospital to recover." And I meant every word I said

My reasons for this are my own I guess. There are young men there that are only a year or so older than me! This is something my mind has a very hard time grasping.

If I had any money left? I would get my brakes done and find a nice set of chrome wheels for my truck.

Anyway, just chittn' an chattn' All in all, it was a grand day. I hope you guys had a good day at work or whatever you spent your day doing. Peace! Dodgely Dudes![/b]

[surfnuke9]

Good on you Cody.

[Ibleedmopar]

Ive been to all those places on family vacations and between the vietnam wall and Arlington Cemetary it takes your breath away, I was probably 10 when I was there but I will never forget it.

[USAFLong]

Huah Cody!

I was on leave last week and took a man's trip. I went to Gettysburg and spent 4 days at the battlefield going through each days events and seeing the locations, then went and saw the train station where President Lincoln came in to give the Gettysburg Address. I went to the Wills' House where Lincoln stayed, and then to the cemetery where he gave his speech, and walked around the Soldiers National Cemetery looking at the graves of the fallen union soldiers. The last day, I went down to Sharpsburg, MD (Antietam) and toured that battlefield as well.

My father, a USMC Vietnam Vet was also with me.

I've been to enough funerals with full military honors, including one for a high school friend. It still chills me to the bone to see the flag waving in the wind and knowing what generations of brave American's have done to keep this country free.

Have you thought about serving in the military?

[Seabee]

Outstanding.
I have been many places. Both in America and far beyond. I visited the memorials and Arlington in 1976, and have always wanted to return. Tomorrow morning I board a plane to DC to do just that.
My soul mate and I will run the Army 10 miler - in support and honor of fallen brethren. We will visit the tomb, we will visit the memorials, we will honor them.
I do not fault those who wish to experience the wonders of far places. I share their wander lust. But always, always near and precious is my home. And as you have shown in your answer to the question - this is the land of the brave, home of the free.

[PatS]

I was just a kid when Vietnam was at it's height. We in Canada, like you, got it live on the 6 o'clock news and at school. So, a few yrs ago I visited the Wall.
It was a humbling experience.
I was very surprised to learn of the number of Canadians who signed up for the US forces who died and were wounded in that war.

Both my Grandfathers were in the Forces, one in the British in WW1 and in the Canadian in WW2, and the other in the Canadian in WW1. They had some amazing stories to tell.
Freedom doesn't come cheap, and there are always those who want to take it away.

Cody, I hope you get the chance to go, sooner than later, and I hope Brutus is the one who takes you. But even if it's later rather than sooner, the respect you have for those who made this way of life possible is remarkable for anyone but especially for one your age. 16 going on 45?

[tallstack]

Have you thought about serving in the military?

Yes, unless things drastically change I will probably join the navy or the Marine Corps.

the respect you have for those who made this way of life possible is remarkable for anyone but especially for one your age. 16 going on 45?

Hey Pat, as you know. I was basically raised by my Grandfathers. Grandad Frank retired from the Army a First sergeant. Grandad James retired from the Marine Corps a Lieutenant Colonel. Maybe you can imagine what I have heard and what I have been taught. Mom and Dad never got along. They were pissed at each other all the time. Me and my brother spent weeks and weeks with grandpa and grandma while my folks 'worked it out' It never worked, Dad still split when I was 6. Our Grandpas were the men in our lives. We both learned respect and an appreciation for the war dead at a very early age. It has stayed with me and only grown stronger.

[azlaw]

The Lincoln Memorial is a favorite of mine too, the best of the monuments I think. And the Consitution and Bill of Rights at the National Archives.

But I also find myself always trying to go to Gettysburg when I am in DC, to stand at the Virgina Memorial, and look up at that long slope to Cemetary Hill and the Copse of Trees. Take the time to walk it - there, and back. An hour and a half to contemplate freedom and its price.

H

[USAFLong]

I walked Pickett's charge. You can only imagine what was going through the soldiers heads as they were ordered to march toward the enemy in a long line of 12k men, with enemy artillery firing on them the whole way across the field and the dirt road. Then as they got closer and started running at the union soldiers, the artillery batteries opened up on them with triple canister at 10 yds. That would cut men in half. I can't imagine making that charge knowing it was a 99% chance of SERIOUS injury or death.

[Hobcobble]

I plan on visiting all 50 states. I've seen many historical military
sites, museums, etc.. I haven't been to Arlington yet but it is on
the itinerary. There are 58 National Parks in the U.S.. If your TV
brings in your local Public Broadcast Station [PBS], there is a
series by Ken Burns this week on our National Parks. It has been
great to watch. I plan on Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons next.
I've been to other countries and it was fun [even got married in Scotland].
Nothing beats the USA though.

I like your travel ideas Cody. There's plenty to see in our great
country.
John

[wally426ci]

We need moew appreciative people like you Cody!!!!

Hey John is your family Scottish?

[Hobcobble]

We need moew appreciative people like you Cody!!!!

Hey John is your family Scottish?

Yep. Direct descendants of Robert Burns himself
[But then again.... all Scots claim this ]
John

[Rodger]

Cody

Tell all that in July the National De Soto Club
will be in Springfield from the 21-24th. They
plan to see what you have mentioned there.

If you call Springfield ( 1-217-524-9894 ) and
ask for Paul or Rick, they can give you all the
details on camping at the local State Park.

Offer to take both of your Granddad's with
you. They will like Springfield, the De Soto's
and being with you.


Rodger & Gabby
COS

[legacyABQ]

Speaking of Scottish descent, I recently found out that my relatives came over from Scotland to New Jersey and fought in the Revolutionary War.

I am terribly proud of this fact.

They got land grants in Kentucky afterwards; they chose Kentucky cause it looks like Scotland, I hear..

My dad belongs to the Sons of the American Revolution now as we recently got documentation.

Additionally, I recently found out my Mom's dad flew troop transports over the Pacific in WWII. My other grandpa was a signalman on an aircraft carrier.

My uncle was a radio man in Vietnam. He said they made a point of shooting at him cause that gear made him an easy target.

My brother was in Naval Intelligence.

My other uncle is a Colonel, also in Naval Intelligence.

I am humbled and deeply grateful to my family, and all the men of this great country who gave their blood to protect this country, and I am grateful to all who currently serve.

THANK YOU!!

I just wanted to add to this thread.. and Kudos to you Cody, for your awareness and respect..

God Bless America!

[tallstack]

Thanks guys, I have lot's of plans that I know I could never do on my own. I plan to have my Uncle Sam take care of most of the bill. I do think I messed up in my first post. Those three ladies that are being held in Iran, I hope they get home safe. I didn't mean to come across as uncaring. I just think it very foolish to even be near such countries that we are not in good standings with. You know, unless you are with the Military and you are supposed to be there. But even to be near it's boarders just for the sake of going hiking! That's unreal! Anyway, I do hope it all turns out well for them and they are being treated decent.

[USAFLong]

Don't worry Cody, I don't think you are uncaring. You are a realist, as am I.

I say that it's called natural selection, and it will weed out the weaker and less intelligent members of society. LOL.

[PatS]

Don't worry Cody, I don't think you are uncaring. You are a realist, as am I.

I say that it's called natural selection, and it will weed out the weaker and less intelligent members of society. LOL.

Kinda like playing on the freeway and wondering why you get run over

[tallstack]

Kinda like playing on the freeway and wondering why you get run over

Now that's funny stuff right there, I don't care who you are. "Get er done!"

[BigAL]

So far I have not gotten to see a lot of this country, and a lot of places of honor and history, I did get to see the Vietnam memmorial when it came to Bishop, That wall touched me deeply, another two years and I would have been there. All of the names ... all of the lives, that gave all! And that is the essence of freedom when it comes down to it, will you risk your life, will you shed your blood?
A lot have given the greatest of sacrifice for this country down through the decades, a lot have fought for this country, and for those who can't fight for themselves. Yes those soldiers marching at a qucik step in the face of blistering fire and artillery shells, to the soldiers fighting in the streets of Iraq, it takes fortitude and a lot of adreniline, to do that, it takes a brave heart. Any combat is fearful, you never know when your up?
When I think of those who have given what they have given, and what they went through, and the ones who came back, and the freinds they lost, it makes me cry, for the sacrifice they gave. I can soo relate to what your saying Cody, You want to be able so say to each and everyone of those guys ... thank you! And not miss one!
My family has had men in every military in almost every engagement from from the revolutionary war to Afganistan. Mom's dad was a pilot in WW I for the Royal Canadian Airforce. So I say God bless those who are there now, serving for us, for freedom! Freedom doesn't come cheap, it costs dearly!

America bless God!

AL

[BigAL]

LOL, Hey now! I play on the freeway at times, and on the highway too .. playing dodge the cars, the cars (drivers) are playing Death race 2000 with us state workers. after 30 years, I can still move fast lol. People wonder how I do it lol ... standing inches from cars whizzing by at 55+ ? You get used to it. But you always have the eyes in the back of your head peeled, and the good Lord lookin out for ya.