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Comments

1. #1
   On February 9th, 2008 at 3:35 pm, mojoe said:

   …“Kids, you have just been passed by a United States Marine.” It was all I could do to hold back my tears.

   The anonymity of the internet allows me to not have to hold my tears.

   Thank you and God bless all of our people serving their country!

   Semper Fi

2. #2
   On February 9th, 2008 at 3:43 pm, zorro said:

   Great post Michelle. That is how we should treat our men and women in uniform. Thanks Columbus.

3. #3
   On February 9th, 2008 at 3:52 pm, madchef said:

   Someone should forward that letter to Mr. Finkbeiner. That is the way ALL members of our Armed Forces should be treated for the sacrifice they make to protect all of us.

4. #4
   On February 9th, 2008 at 3:52 pm, brooklyn red said:

   Thank you Madame Hostess, a little good news goes a long way.

   Thank you Columbus, Thank you.

5. #5
   On February 9th, 2008 at 4:05 pm, purplepeep said:

   The insane thing is that these things have been renedered “newsworthy” as the exception rather than the norm rule of how we should treat our women and men who serve.

   Bless the good folks who still know how to do the right thing by our servicepeople.

6. #6
   On February 9th, 2008 at 4:09 pm, TMoney said:

   Don’t hold back your tears. As a former Marine, mine are flowing freely at this moment.

   These men and women have a most special job: they are here to protect us. That means our children also. They help our Constitution to guarantee our rights as citizens of the most important nation in the history of the world.

   Don’t ever let them down. Shake their hand when you see them. Send them a quick salute. Pick up their tab.

   Our men and women in uniform get paid damned little for what they know they may have to sacrifice, in addition to being away from families and friends.

   Semper Fidelis.

7. #7
   On February 9th, 2008 at 4:36 pm, winemkr said:

   The anonymity of the internet allows me to not have to hold my tears.

   Ditto

   Semper Fi America

8. #8
   On February 9th, 2008 at 4:39 pm, graysonret said:

   Wow! Sounds like a place I wouldn’t mind visiting. Good to see some good ole USA somewhere. This should be forwarded to Berkeley and Toledo, with a “hang your heads in shame” addition.

9. #9
   On February 9th, 2008 at 4:43 pm, DesertLover said:

   I know there are many here that can relate to one of the father’s statements regarding “the honor of being called a United States Marine” …

   You are called everything else for many months during boot camp … and then on graduation day is the first time you are called “Marine” … it is a moment of immense pride in every Marine’s life … one which you never forget … I am sure this young man experienced that sense of pride just like those that have gone before him …

   Thanks Columbus for giving proper respect to this young man and all he has accomplished, all he stands for, and all that he is willing to do to protect all of us …

   Semper Fi

10. #10
    On February 9th, 2008 at 4:53 pm, Irish Rose said:

    Tears also falling from this Marine moms’ eyes.

11. #11
    On February 9th, 2008 at 5:00 pm, Boomer said:

    Congratulations to Pvt Leavitt in making it through an extremely tough basic training regime. My wife loves the USMC dress blue uniform and the aircrew flight suit on a man. That’s how I think I ended up winning her heart since I liked flying for the USAF better than being a Marine. No offense meant to those that have qualified to wear the uniform some of whom I have been honored to serve with in Joint-Service assignments. Beats the heck out of the business dress uniform the USAF got stuck with in the 90s. Glad to read about communities that appreciate the sacrifices of this generation of volunteers because you will never hear about stuff like this in the dinosaur MSM.

12. #12
    On February 9th, 2008 at 5:16 pm, mikeg said:

    talk about crying, A couple of months ago I ran into a kid (he’s 26 now) I have known for most of his life. He had just come back from Afganistan and is working for my son-in-law as a carpenter. He showed up on the job and I ran over to him, gave a big hug (probably embaressed him) and said thanks Rick I appreciate it. He grabbed my shoulders, looked me straight in the eye and said ” No problem Mr. G.” I couldn’t stop crying for about ten minutes. Thanks for listening

13. #13
    On February 9th, 2008 at 5:26 pm, letget said:

    I can hardly type, the tears are just flowing down my cheeks. God bless all our wonderful men and women. Thank YOU all our military. Most of America does love appreciate you, in spite of what the MSM leaves you to believe.
    L.

14. #14
    On February 9th, 2008 at 5:30 pm, nbarry said:

    Here is some appropriate music for this thread. Patriotism meets art.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3AAnMNmGA4

15. #15
    On February 9th, 2008 at 5:31 pm, leepro said:

    This is fan-damn-tastic!

    Just sent this entire post to Mayor Finkbutt in Toledo! Wouldn’t be a bad thing for him to be virtually deluged with copies of this… hmmmmm?

    

16. #16
    On February 9th, 2008 at 5:59 pm, letget said:

    well, I have composed myself. My husband wanted to know why I was crying. He is a retired vet and I told him what MM had posted. A mother told he children, what America is about. Our military. One tiny bit to help understand what the USA is about. That was one special lady. We can only hope there are millions like her.
    Sorry, I am still in tears.
    L

17. #17
    On February 9th, 2008 at 6:17 pm, shooter said:

    we heard a mother with her young children say, “Kids, you have just been passed by a United States Marine. It was all I could do to hold back my tears.”

    wow , me too.

18. #18
    On February 9th, 2008 at 6:24 pm, ramdoug2002 said:

    One of the reasons I purchased my 2006 Jeep Liberty was the fact it was made in the USA. Toledo ,Ohio. Next time I purchase a vehicle and I see place of manufacture as Toledo, Ohio I will be so replused by the thought of Mayor Finkbutt’s behavior that I will not have the stomach for making the purchase. As the father of two soldiers I am sick of the hatred directed towards any members of the military by these left wing nutjobs.

19. #19
    On February 9th, 2008 at 6:27 pm, Christian Soldier said:

    They (tears) started flowing at the cell phone line descripion and gushed with “Kids…

20. #20
    On February 9th, 2008 at 6:29 pm, Christian Soldier said:

    description — has to be the tears!

21. #21
    On February 9th, 2008 at 7:09 pm, TXRose said:

    Tears here. I make it a practice to thank every serviceman/woman or family
    that I come across because we are a Navy/Air Force family and that’s how I
    would want my family treated. Luckily, here in TX service personnel are more
    likely to be treated well than not. Thank goodness for that because I could
    not live somewhere like San Fran, Berkley or Toledo just to name a few.
    Thank you everyone who has served and is serving our country.

22. #22
    On February 9th, 2008 at 7:26 pm, ammo john said:

    Last summer in Utah I waiting in line at the local Chik-Fil-A, wearing my uniform, when a man with his young son told the cashier that he’ll pay for my meal, whatever I wanted. I said ‘thanks’, trying to hold back the tears from the kindness that this person did for me. And I’m 41 years old!
    I think the tears was because this man loves his country as much as I do.

23. #23
    On February 9th, 2008 at 7:29 pm, TK-421 said:

    Its nice to see that somewhere our boys won’t be sold out and treated like crap. Its people like those that make a nation worth fighting for. Too bad so many of the “others” are gaining in number, enough that we may actully put a defeatist in power.

24. #24
    On February 9th, 2008 at 10:21 pm, rightisright said:

    Pvt. Tyler Allen Leavitt,
    Thank you soldier, for all you do for this country, thank you Mr. & Mrs. Leavitt for raising such a brave and honorable son and thank you of Columbus for showing your respect and appreciation of such a fine young man…a real American.

    semper fi

25. #25
    On February 9th, 2008 at 11:03 pm, JoAnn in VA said:

    Smiling through tears is my favorite emotion, as Dolly Parton said in Steel Magnolias. I am so glad I keep a box of tissues next to the computer!
    God bless that marie, his family and those who honoered him, especially that mom who is raising her children right!

26. #26
    On February 10th, 2008 at 12:20 am, The_Basseteer said:

    Listen to this then lets go kick some “Islamo-Facist” A$$

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEAEcca9pRk

27. #27
    On February 10th, 2008 at 1:42 am, LC said:

    There is hope. We must never give up.

28. #28
    On February 10th, 2008 at 11:34 am, gippergirl said:

    I love it! God Bless our Armed Forces! AND their families!

29. #29
    On February 10th, 2008 at 1:09 pm, serfer62 said:

    Right-is-right…He’s a Marine (caps) not a soldier damnit….

30. #30
    On February 10th, 2008 at 1:46 pm, JohnHolliday said:

    I make it point to say “Thank You” to all members of the military I meet. I make sure that my two sons see me do this and I tell them just how important it is to have a strong military to protect our freedom.

    I’ve told my sons all about my father. He flew 30 missions in a B-17 with the 91st Bomb Group in 1945. I hope they tell my grandchildren (if I’m lucky!), too.

    I once met a veteran from the 101st Airborne. He proudly wore a hat that had the Screaming Eagle patch with the word “Bastogne” embroidered on it. Like an idiot I asked, “You fought in the Battle of the Bulge?” He said he had and I lamely stammered “Thank you.” It was all I could do.

    Watch the “Band of Brothers” episode about Bastogne to see a little of what those brave men went through.

    God bless our brave fighting men and women. And for the Marines, Semper Fi!

31. #31
    On February 10th, 2008 at 3:23 pm, USMCgramma said:

    That was powerful…we can never thank them enough! Semper Fi

32. #32
    On February 11th, 2008 at 9:43 am, Old Tanker said:

    Way to go Columbus!!!

    Toledo, this is where your Mayor could learn a thing or two…..

33. #33
    On February 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm, ElCee said:

    Semper Fi, Marine Dad!

    My son graduated from PI just a week before yours, on Jan 18th. He too, wore his dress blues to church, and received many thanks there.

    We’re in Northwest Virginia, and people tended to ignore him – neither good or bad reactions. Our high point was one little boy who stood at attention and saluted him.

34. #34
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:46 pm, kevkersey said:

    The most emotional event was when we heard a mother with her young children say, “Kids, you have just been passed by a United States Marine.” It was all I could do to hold back my tears.

    It does my heart good to hear things like that.

    It also reminds me when I visited Gettysberg National Cemetery, I overheard a child ask her mother, “Why to people have to die in a war?”. The mother simply replied, “Because freedom isn’t free.”

    It’s good to know America still has some people who appreciate what they have, and know what it cost for them to have it.