Alicia Loc: NYC

I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Hope you enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvQBUccxBr4&list=RDi96OcI3hcvw&index=27

Super Dave Loc: Realville, USA

I usually don't get moved by that kind of stuff.

But that was fan-freakin-tastic.

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

The story behind it is very moving..Have seen this before and it left me in tears..Very well done!!!

funguy1949

Yes AMASSING and very touching story.

carpenter patriot

My son went to Iraq after 911. I was the one that encouraged him to join the military. For 11 months me and my wife watched the news on all channels every waking minute we were not working. I kept thinking that I would see him in the background on one of the news shows. Of course I didn't. I had not cried a half a dozen times in my life. I had to pretend to be strong for the family. I know for 11 months every time I was by myself I would sob uncontrolably. I was the one encouraging him to enlist. I though I had sent him to die. I was panicked I was sure I had k**led him. When the time came and we were picking him up from the airport the entire family was there. He hugged his way to me I was last in line. All I could do was hold him and (now in front of everyone) sob. After 10 minutes or so we went on our way. The family was floored to see my calloused wind burnt show no pain ass would break down like that. I told them the t***h about the last 11 months, they said they were shocked and had no idea it affected me like that. Me and him were at the knocksville sprint car races. On the way home we were talking about a friend we know that got the hard charger of the nite award. He stopped talking out of the blue. He would do that now and then, then he would jump back in like he was talking the entire time. After a long minute I said are you all right. He lifted his head half way up and kinda turned his head to the left and said while sobbing "we k**led them". After a pause I said who did you k**l. He looked back at me and said "we k**led them, we k**led them all". Later I found out he was on mission when they trapped a bunch of combatants in a city block. He was a gunner on a Bradly. The order came to shoot, you have to get permission unless your in danger. He said fire at what? The Sargent said everything soldier get that weapon operational. He flipped off the safety and tore loose with the 50 cal. Shortly after they were told to stop. They had out ran the boots so they were forced to dismount and clear. Him and the driver were d**gging behind just kinda looking around. They almost never left their track. They were in this appt that had been cleared. There was a small door maybe 4 foot high and 30 inches wide. The driver opened the door and just stood there. My boy asked what he saw. No reply. He went around behind to look over his shoulder to check out what the driver was looking at. In this little 3ft by 4ft space maybe 8 foot deep. Two elderly women 4 adult woman and 7 or 8 children had crammed in there thinking they were safe. When the 50 cal. Rounds ripped through it churned them up and it looked like human spaghetti. His description. They couldn't tell who or how many, he found out later. This was not a isolated incident. That was only one of many many stories he told me. He has never mentioned his service to any one but me, not another soul. Since then we set about getting him help. I know they fought around the clock 7 days a week for around 5 months. He has not been the same , he is changed. Don't get me wrong at least I have my son. The Sargent when we to see him right after he got back told us our children would not be leaving for a few weeks. All the others had left. Our son was with the gunners. They couldn't leave. The Sargent said your boys have been in a real bad place for a real long time. The least amount of confirmed k**ls that my son and these other gunners had were 34 each ( we found that out years after he got out). Those are documented. His DAV said your son could have many more, that was the least. They wanted to make sure they were OK before they sent them home. That play reminded me of him. Not as much now but every now a then I break down and start sobbing. I wonder if by encouraging him to join, did I k**l my son? His torment has to be unbearable at times. I am responsible for that. That is the burden I carry. I do wonder at times like right now,did I k**l my son?

That was spectacular thank you for posting it.....

Alicia Loc: NYC

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So glad we agree. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Alicia Loc: NYC

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I firmly believe this is the reason that we have so many vets with PTSD. The majority of our military men are not vicious k**lers. I imagine those from every country are affected similarly. They are taught to h**e but how can one h**e people they don't even know? It's too bad wars can't be settled over a game of (or like) chess. But then, the earth would be even more populated. I do wish more people would realize that wars are fought in order to thin out the population of this planet. D********g thought, isn't it? I wonder how many agree with me.

Not on the same level but this afternoon my neighbor brought one of my cats home to my porch. Like you, I can't cry in front of others. I sent him a message explaining that I am not really so hard-hearted and he responded that "we all have our own ways of mourning." I am grateful for his comment. I do cry inside when saddened but the only time I will cry outwardly is for something good and beautiful or someone's success. But they are in times of joy. That's why you were able to cry upon his return. It's good to see you have such a wonderful relationship with him. It's interesting to note that most ex-military men speak only of the fun times.

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

Amazing presentation, very moving story. I wonder how long it took the troupe to perfect this dance. I would have thought this type of thing would be impossible to do this well.

TexaCan Loc: Homeward Bound!

GOD bless your son and you and all of our sons and daughters that came back home to us. My son came home a little 'dented' but not broke. When my son came home we lived on the Gulf coast on the bay. Our boat was in the back yard. Every day when we came home from the cabinet shop, he sat on the dock and fished. Fish didn't come into the canal with all the boat slips and boats very often but he fished anyway. I would cry as I watched him out of the window. One day I asked my husband what I could do to help him and he told me to just love him and be patient. He said "he is working things out and I am watching him". My husband knew things that I did not know and still don't know. He had been been his Dad since he was five years old. One day my son didn't get his chair or rod or Scruffy the dog and he didn't pretend to fish anymore. He was back. GOD bless all those who have sacrificed for the freedom that we enjoy in the most blessed country in the world. Some day the LORD will wipe all our tears and there will be no more wars. Maranatha 😀😀😀

bahmer

It was absolutely beautiful and a tearjerker to boot. Thank you for bringing this beautiful presentation to us. By the way did they go on and win?

Alicia Loc: NYC

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I don't know. I certainly do hope so. But I am sure that that exposure brought them a number of bookings. I would have loved to have taken part in such an endeavor.

carpenter patriot

It's kinda nice to see/read a person that looks for good and caring in people. Not much of that any more. He will admit he served if asked but never goes into detail. Except with me. He's my step but raised him from a toddler. We have gotten very very close the last 8 years or so. I truly feel his pain. I think he somehow knows it. I'm a structural concrete for carpenter foreman. You got to have to be solid and stand your ground with those guys. Harsh better describes it. So I'm not sure why he chose me. Thank the Lord he did though. He struggles at times but as time passes he is getting a hold of it. We hunt and fish constantly. It's where he gets his center from. He really had issues with their total disregard life. He still can't wrap his head around that. He'll hunt deer like a dog, relentlessly. Then on the way to town he'll put his truck in the ditch to miss one on the road. Thank you for your kind words, I appreciate it. You are a good and nice person. :shock: :wink: :shock: :shock:

carpenter patriot

Thanks you for your kind words. My deal is being the shoulders for my family. So far (and it's been scarily close at time)the Lord hasn't given me more than I can handle. Your husband is spot on. I just walk close and put a hand on his shoulder for just a second or just it with him. I dont talk to him at those timesHe is the kinda kid that h**es and confront bullies and will go out of his way to help an older person. Always opens doors for ladies, his elders are always offer his chair. I am so proud of him. He is my son. His biological father was in the air force and changed oil in vehicles in the states. Never went over seas much less in conflict. He would pull up morbid pictures from places he new the boy had been. It was derailing him bad. One nite on the way home I swung by and got him straightened out. It ended. What a fuckin ass-hole, huh? My son calls me by my first name. But when asked who his dad is he says me. I know his father has no idea what an exceptional son he has. I am blessed by his presence in my life.
Again thanks for the kindness you've shown me. :shock: :thumbup: :shock:

Also: am glad you got your son back. I hope he OK and hope nothing but good comes to him. He is a hero.