Melissa's blog: "I miss you!"

I'm very upset that people don't see the good that we do when we go off to war. They watch the news and that's good enough for them! To me there is more then that to see. Nobody trys and talks to people who have been overseas or anyone that know people who went. They don't try to research what is going on over there. They see half the story and not the whole truth. What people see is the killings, the murders, the bombs, ect..., but there is more then that. They don't see the good that we do over there! We not only fight in the war, but we also protect the United States, build houses, build schools for the under privlaged kids, ect. This is what I feel needs to get off my chest. Don't talk shit about us, unless you are going to talk to us to figure out the truth. Do your research, don't just assume! Also, find the truth! Thank you! God Bless the Troops! I love you all! Even if you haven't been overseas, if your retired, or if you are overseas right now! I may not know you but I do love you all. I'm so proud of every single one of you! Keep up the outstanding work that we all do! I love you! Thank you!

My friend, Adam, whom you have already heard of before in previous bulletins, is already in training, and getting ready to leave for Iraq. He is doing great, but he is talking like him might not come home. Will everyone please pray to give him the strength that he needs not only to come home, but also to stay positive. I was talking to another friend in the military with me, and I asked him, "Do you need to stay positive to come home", he told me that was a big part in coming home is staying positive. If you think you're going to die, it's one step closer to death. You let your guard down. So he is getting a little depressed and now just needs to be in peoples thoughts and prayers. Also, another friend, Shane, he is leaving for Iraq next month. It's scary once agian, but I'm asking for you all to help pray for him. I feel the more people pray the better off they are. Thank you everyone for everything you have been doing. I'm not sure if you people even care or not, but this is a big deal, and to me even if only one more person is praying it makes a differance. So, I'm asking you all to pray for the men and women that are going over to Iraq. Even if you don't believe in the war, if you don't know the people, but someday you're going to be sick and you would be wishing someone was praying for you to be okay. This is what the war is it is a virus. It can't be cured. It's just going to keep living and developing in new ways that can't be taken out. This is what the war is. People need to pray for one another even if you don't believe in God. A lot of soldiers don't believe untill they enlist, we then know that, that's the only person we really have to talk to when we go over to Iraq. So, please everyone, I'm going to stop preaching and all, but I am asking you to pray for my friends, my "family". who are going over to Iraq, and the reason they are doing this is for YOU!! Not for themselves. They do this for you and all I'm asking is for you to give something back to them for doing this for you and I'm not asking to give up your life, like, they do theirs! All I'm asking is that you pray for the people who are fighting for you. Pray that they will come home one day. Thank you!!! I love you all!

It may take you two minutes to read this, but if you do not take the time to read this you are one of the people this post is talking about. ____________________________________________________ You stay up for 16 hours He stays up for days on end. ____________________________________________________ You take a warm shower to help you wake up. He goes days or weeks without running water. ____________________________________________________ You complain of a "headache", and call in sick. He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward. ____________________________________________________ You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends. He still fights for your right to wear that shirt. ____________________________________________________ You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket. He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags. ____________________________________________________ You talk trash about your "buddies" that aren't with you. He knows he may not see some of his buddies again. ____________________________________________________ You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls. He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists. ____________________________________________________ You complain about how hot it is. He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow. ____________________________________________________ You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong. He doesn't get to eat today. ____________________________________________________ Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes. He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean. ____________________________________________________ You go to the mall and get your hair redone. He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today. ____________________________________________________ You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes ove r. He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months. ____________________________________________________ You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight. He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home. ____________________________________________________ You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday. He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume. ____________________________________________________ You roll your eyes as a baby cries. He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet. ____________________________________________________ You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything. He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting. ____________________________________________________ You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him. He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded. ____________________________________________________ You see only what the media wants you to see. He sees the broken bodies lying around him. ____________________________________________________ You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't. He does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger. ____________________________________________________ You stay at home and watch TV. He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat. ____________________________________________________ You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable. He tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long. ____________________________________________________ If you support your troops, re-post this with "WE MISS YOU" If you don't support your troops well, then don't re-post, it's not like you know the men and women that are dying to preserve your right