Not Political....just family!
 

I know this is an odd request...and I promise this is not meant to be political so please don't make it so....

My brother Jimmy is heading out tomorrow for Iraq. He is a Marine in the Military Police...working with the dogs (german shepards). Typically these are the ones on the front line.

Whether you are a political person, Democrat or Republican or whatever....whether you are a religious person....

Please, as my friends and fellow TOTV's, please send up your good thoughts....your prayers...your best wishes....for Jimmy, his fellow Marines and anyone/everyone over there, heading there...and everywhere else our esteemed service men and women are!

thank you!

sorry if this is emotional....just got off the phone saying "goodbye for now" to him!!

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

You bet, Cassie325, that my prayers will be lifted up for your brother. Next time you speak with him make sure, please, that you tell him I said "thank you".

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

thank you my friend! I will do that!! I also told him that I EXPECTED to see him at Easter...safe and sound...and that it was an order! I told him it didn't matter to me that he was in the Marines...Big Sister rules outweigh everyone!!! His order was to go do his job, do it well, be safe and come home to us soon!!

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

God speed and please keep them all out of harms way.

I have friends who have children going to Iraq and Afganistan too.

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

Cassie,


Two things I agree with you over. Tim Russert and you Brother Jimmy.
Tim Russert who I respected and your brother who I respect and admire. God speed to both but no offense much more for your brother. Benj prayers extended.

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

Semper Fidelis MARINE

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

Cassie,

Prayers are being sent out to your brother and all our heroic servicemen and women overseas. Cant even express in words how grateful we are for their efforts to keep this country safe. What incredible sacrifices they are making so that we can maintain our freedom. God love em all!

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

He will be in our prayers Cassie, right with our dear friend a young man named Matt. I pray for him every night and now I will include your brother. chels

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

Absolutely...you have my best wishes, prayers, and good thoughts. ;D

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

Cassie, Chels, More prayers for Jimmy, Matt and all our men and women fighting for freedom, that God watch over them and keep them safe. I also want to say "THANK YOU ALL!!!!" Please tell them we will pray for their safety and we are forever grateful! R & E

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

THANK YOU ALL! THIS IS THE BEST ANYONE COULD EVER ASK FOR....WE CAN ALL COME TOGETHER FOR OUR TROOPS! IN THE SPRING WHEN HE COMES HOME....I WILL BRING HIM TO FLORIDA TO MEET YOU ALL!!

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

My friend's son, Jamie, received notice that he is going back (I believe is leaving this week). He did his stint doing the same thing your brother is doing, came home, got out, got a job, got married, just had a baby and now is told that he has to go back. Given that he will be doing the same thing as your brother and close to the same time, I hope that they can work together. At least Jamie's gone through it once and knows at least some of the tricks to survive.

So, prayers for Jimmy, Matt, Jamie and all the other men and women serving in the military. May they all come home safe and whole.

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

Lifted Jimmy up this morning in meditation and prayer along with all the others in uniform whether in harms way or not.

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

Thank you my friend...he leaves in about 3 hours...saying goodbye to his 9 year old daughter and my mom and dad....

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

Oh Boy ... extra prayers for the entire family are in order. :'(

What would we do without fine men and women like this AND those who carry on after they have left!

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

Cassie325 ... sitting here thinking of your brother and wondering how his departure went today; although, I'm pretty sure I know how it went. I guess I just wanted to say that I'm thinking of you, your family, and, of course, Jimmy's 9 year old little girl. Keep looking up!

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

Our hearts and thoughts are with your brother and all our service men and women who are in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan and wherever else they have to be. The son of close friends of ours (whom I've known since he was born) is in Special Forces in Afghanistan, and although he is career military, it is still scary, but we know that he's doing what he loves to do. Our best as well to you and all your brother's family!

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

Thank you Sidney.....my prayers are with your friends son as well !!!

I spoke to Jimmy tonight...waiting for his plane....he was so brave and calm....I was in tears....

I told him of all my friends here in TV's and beyond said Thank you and are praying for him.....

he said Thank them all....and please pray for everyone else as well....

He has NEVER in his life been so self sacrifying.........I hate him leaving but I love the MARINES!

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

my thoughts and prayers to bring him and all our military folks home safely and soon

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

My thoughts and prayers for your brother and all of our military men and women.

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

Anyone serving in the armed forces is a true-life hero.

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

I will offer up prayers for your brother, Cassie, as I do each day for all the military men and women who work so hard each day to keep us safe. I am very grateful to all of them, as I am for all the firemen and policemen who, seven years ago tomorrow, worked so tirelessly to assist the victims of the terrorist attack.

md blondie

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

We'll watch over them too. God speed!!!


http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...6FLYING002.jpg

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

This is the best group of people....you all bring me to tears with your thoughts and prayres...not just for my family but for all families of military and the men and women serving our country! God Bless all of you as well!!


Jimmy's departure (PS if he knew I was calling him Jimmy he would kill me...it's JIM....LOL)....anyway...Jimmy's departure went as smoothly as possible. As you know they do not let anyone down to the gate without a ticket. So my parents and Jamie had to stand at the window to watch him walk down the corridor to his gate. My mother said it was like a scene from a movie...slow motion...every two seconds he would turn his head and wave. I cry just thinking about it. My mother said he looked like a man (30 yrs old) for the first time in his entire life. She was VERY proud and very sad...because even though he is a man....he is still her baby!!

My father does not, of course, show emotion very often and had tears in his eyes....he told me later that he knows with every fiber of his being that Jimmy will be home for Easter dinner! How hard was that to hear....

Jamie (the 9 year old) was very sad and cried and waved and jumped in Papa's arms so she could see all the way down the hall. They kept her home from school and took her to Friendly's for a lunch....then some ice cream....Jimmy called her around 10pm that night stating that he was in the airport waiting for his plane....

I am a sister....and it kills me to even think about him being over there....but I can't even fathom being a parent of someone in the military....being SO proud and SO scared at the same time.

Sorry for the long post....just needed to get it all out....thanks for listening....again....and thanks again for your kindness, support for our troupes and the blessings you have given me!

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

GREAT post, Cassie325 (Cuz). No apologies necessary; very beautifully written.

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

Thanks Burnz!!!

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

Hi Cousin Cassie,
Has Jimmy arrived at his destination or is he on a base somewhere getting processed? He continues to be lifted up for special blessings each day.

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

I heard yesterday that he had arrived....please don't ask where....as I don't get that much information. He calls my mom who then sends it on to the rest of us....with 7 siblings there are just too many people to call.....

Mom doesn't always give us all the details...just that he is safe and that he said hello....he spoke to Jamie for a few minutes....she got to tell him that her tooth fell out and she was expecting something good from the toothfairy....

This is all I know....he is SAFE....thank you for your thoughts and prayers!

Re: Not Political....just family!
 

My thoughts echos Johns' as they usually do. Tell him Thank you from our family too!

Red...what is Jamie's last name? Jimmy said they really don't know people's first names...just last....

A Reminder
 

A reminder for Jimmy and the others...

Thanks Cousin
 

I was just thinking about him!! Made my day!!

A Thank you from me and God speed.

Thank you my friend!!! Can't wait till you get here!! Will pass on to Jimmy when I can!

not leaving
 

Don't worry you can't loose me that easily cousin!! I am just not going to post in political anymore. I agree with everyone that each person has their own opinion and will vote however they choose....nothing I say will change what they do and vice versa....so instead of getting myself all upset...and having mean things said....I will stick to non-political postings.

I love TOTV.....and will not be going anywhere....just wanted you to know....love this place way too much! I am need of calmer days anyway....to focus on what is really important in life....family and friends....

Thanks for all your kind words! Can't wait till you get here....we will go find an Irish pub somewhere and toast the Burns Family!!


Jimmy and Michael are both doing well....you keep them near to my heart when you send these rememberances...you are blessed~! Thanks again!!
I have told my whole family about you...and your prayers!! They all appreciate it greatly! They join in prayers for all our military as well...

Update...
 

Notes from Mom...a look at reality for an American Soldier...YUK!!

Sent on saturday afternoon:

Apparently Jimmy, his buddies, and the dogs have been sitting at an air base for the past 3 days waiting to fly to Fallujah. There have been significant sand storms that have kept the choppers and planes on the ground...as well as it is Ramadan over there, and flying time is restricted.

Within two hours they will be transported by land vehicles to Fallujah...so I would ask for your prayers and good thoughts....They will be under heavy security...for whatever that is worth.

Jimmy sounds pretty down...no shower for three days, and just hanging out etc, etc.....

As I keep saying...it is going to be a long 7 months....

From Today:

Good morning!

We had a brief phone call from Jimmy this am...

The 15 vehicle convoy to Fallujah was totally loaded up Saturday night....The Marines waited outside by the convoy all night to no avail. The sandstorms were too intense for the medi-vac choppers to fly. If they cannot fly, the land vehicles cannot proceed.

Today everything had to be unloaded from the convoys and re-packed onto a plane or chopper....not clear which it is. Anyway, as soon as it is dark, they are attempting to fly out to Fallujah. This should happen within two hours.

What a crazy situation...eh?!!!!

Thanks for all the good thoughts!

TKRET, Thanks!!! Cassie, Saying prayers for the safety of Jimmy, Matt, Jamie and all our brave men and women serving our military. Godspeed!!

Hey Cousin,
Jim continues to remain in my daily prayers. It's a terrible situation and very frustrating for him, I'm sure. But, on a lighter note, ask him why he "sounds pretty down...no shower for three days". I always understood that the men in this family got along really well with fewer showers and more beers! Maybe it's the "dry" neighborhood that's got him down. Love you, Cuz, and send him my sincerest gratitude.

He is added to the prayer list, is thanked for his service, and a cold beer is waiting for him when he returns to see his sister.

Cuz...With five younger brothers becoming men drinking beer...you better believe Mom made them shower daily!! LOL

Personally....this hell he is in is making him a better man!! God Bless the Marines!! However, sad that any of them have to go through this....but it sounds like he was frustrated with the lack of movement...the waiting game! Sounded like he was ready for action...whatever that may be...didn't sound scared....just annoyed by the weather...

Steve/Cuz: I have made him promise to come for a visit upon his return home...we will have a TOTV party and all share a cold one with him...I apparently have 7-8 months to plan a party...I think I can do that!!