Young men in harms way...

[Richard Crowe]

     Judy and I just drove up to Fallbrook, CA (about 25 miles from us) to pick up a pair of 6-month old puppies from a young Marine and his wife.  They are flying home tomorrow to Arkansas on Christmas leave and then the Marine will be deploying to Afghanistan. He is leaving his wife and son at home and we will find homes for the puppies...

     What struck me in meeting this young man was how young he looked.  He was probably less than twenty years old and was small in stature.  I am sure the Marines were equally as young when I was a combat cameraman in Vietnam but, since I was a lot younger myself, their young ages did not strike me as vividly...

     I could not help contrasting this young man, in the service of his country, spending his last night in San Diego finding a home for two puppies before he takes his wife and young child home, possibly never to see them again; against the horrendous acts committed by a troubled young person (I won't call him a man) of about the same age...

     As you are praying for the deceased of Newtown, Conn. and for their families; please include some prayers for the young men of this nation who are honorable and who are putting their lives on the line in a foreign country.  There are, thankfully, a lot more of these men than there are troubled boys who murder children because they don't like the way their mommy has treated them...

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

We have a young Nephew that is a graduate of West Point.   Shortly after graduating (maybe within 1.5 years) he was deployed to Iraq and he was actually in charge of a group of young soldiers like the one you mention.  It was just unimaginable to me that someone so young could be put in charge of troops and be responsible for their lives.  He did manage to bring them all home alive and for that we were very grateful, particularly with some of the stories that he has told.  So much responsibility for those so young!  I am extremely proud and thankful for each and every one of them.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thank you for helping this man, his family, and the puppies. What a good reminder to keep all of these brave people in our prayers.

[Pat and Traveler]

It's really necessary to remember that there are people like this young marine--and like you and Judy, who help all of us.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Thank you Richard for reminding us of these young heroes and their families --and what sacrifices they bear for all of us without complaint.  These young men and women are among our best and brightest.  The loss of any one of them is a great loss to all of us.  Thank you for helping this young family and the puppies  I pray that your Marine returns safely. 

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

What a wonderful thought for a dreary, sad afternoon.  I'll be adding this young family to my prayers!

[Linda and Murphy]

Thank you, Richard. This young family is on my prayer list. So many prayers.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Richard you are so right and people who, for whatever reason or none at all, do monstrous things get far too much attention. And young men who are in places of conflict, for whatever reason or to my mind sometimes none at all, get far too little. I admire the courage of those who defend this country and wish they didn't have to do so. I hope "your" young marine returns safely.

[Carol and Banjo]

Thank you Richard.  So many prayers this weekend.  There is more good than evil. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Amen...such a thoughtful post.  Thank you for helping this young family and their puppies.

[Amy M. and Molly]

This is a wonderful reminder of how lucky we are to have so many brave men and women who serve our country. I live in the little town of Fallbrook, which is on the east side of Camp Pendleton, and the military helicopters fly over my home on a daily basis. Some people complain, but to me it is the sound of freedom. Thank you, Richard, for finding a home for their pups and making their transition to deployment a little easier.