paulg
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Post by paulg on Dec 28, 2016 16:28:39 GMT -5
I received one of the greatest Christmas gifts I've ever had this year. My son is a Calvary Scout with the 10th Mountain Division. He deployed to Baghdad in September of 2015 and made it back home safe in June of 2016. So he spent last Christmas in that sandbox shithole. Last Wednesday I was fast asleep when my phone rang at about 10:45 pm. I looked at my phone to see my son's name on the screen. Fearing something bad had happened, because he never calls me that time of night, I anxiously answered the phone. My son says "Hey Dad". I said "Hello", grateful to hear his voice. He says, "Can you come to the front door"? Still sleepy and confused I said, "Yes" and I headed to the front door with the phone in my hand. I opened the door and there stood my son! Until then I hadn't seen him for almost 2 years! After a long hug and some tears I threatened to whip his ass if he ever did that to me again! We don't lock our doors so I asked him why he just didn't come in? He says "Because you have guns and I didn't want to get shot!" Smart kid! Today I took him to the airport for his return flight back to the great white north. He's going from 83 degrees to 33 degrees in a matter of a few hours. It was a great Christmas for me. Before his flight back this morning. Three generations. He gave me a few gifts. His uniform patches he wore in Iraq. Front and back view of a challenge coin given to my son in Iraq. Ash Carter gave these out during one of his visits. My son opening one of his gifts. My son Peter with my grandson Tater on the way in to Five Guys for lunch one day. I love this picture. My grandson has the same heart that my son has and will one day be a great man like his uncle. God willing. That's the story of my Christmas 2016. Filled with the most valuable gifts a Dad and Grand Dad can receive.
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cmh
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Post by cmh on Dec 28, 2016 16:37:56 GMT -5
Good for you Paul 😊😊😊 and its always good to hear of a warrior coming home 😉
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Post by BigBore44 on Dec 28, 2016 17:21:48 GMT -5
Paul
Most Excellent!!! Glad to hear he made it home to you for Christmas.
BigBore44
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paulg
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Posts: 2,420
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Post by paulg on Dec 28, 2016 17:35:05 GMT -5
Thank you Craig and BB Ray!
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Post by Alaskan454 on Dec 28, 2016 18:59:13 GMT -5
Great story Paul, thank you for sharing.
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Post by junebug on Dec 28, 2016 20:40:29 GMT -5
Now that's a great Christmas gift.Thanks for sharing!
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Post by Frank V on Jan 2, 2017 17:46:22 GMT -5
I received one of the greatest Christmas gifts I've ever had this year. My son is a Calvary Scout with the 10th Mountain Division. He deployed to Baghdad in September of 2015 and made it back home safe in June of 2016. So he spent last Christmas in that sandbox shithole. Last Wednesday I was fast asleep when my phone rang at about 10:45 pm. I looked at my phone to see my son's name on the screen. Fearing something bad had happened, because he never calls me that time of night, I anxiously answered the phone. My son says "Hey Dad". I said "Hello", grateful to hear his voice. He says, "Can you come to the front door"? Still sleepy and confused I said, "Yes" and I headed to the front door with the phone in my hand. I opened the door and there stood my son! Until then I hadn't seen him for almost 2 years! After a long hug and some tears I threatened to whip his ass if he ever did that to me again! We don't lock our doors so I asked him why he just didn't come in? He says "Because you have guns and I didn't want to get shot!" Smart kid! Today I took him to the airport for his return flight back to the great white north. He's going from 83 degrees to 33 degrees in a matter of a few hours. It was a great Christmas for me. Before his flight back this morning. Three generations. He gave me a few gifts. His uniform patches he wore in Iraq. Front and back view of a challenge coin given to my son in Iraq. Ash Carter gave these out during one of his visits. My son opening one of his gifts. My son Peter with my grandson Tater on the way in to Five Guys for lunch one day. I love this picture. My grandson has the same heart that my son has and will one day be a great man like his uncle. God willing. That's the story of my Christmas 2016. Filled with the most valuable gifts a Dad and Grand Dad can receive. Shoot I teared up reading this. FANTASTIC MERRY CHRISTMAS HAPPY NEW YEAR! I'M GLAD YOUR SON IS HOME SAFE!!!!!! YES I'M SHOUTING. PRAISE GOD. Tell him thanks for his service & we're glad he's home safe!!! Frank
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paulg
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Posts: 2,420
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Post by paulg on Jan 3, 2017 6:24:07 GMT -5
Thank you Frank and I will send your blessings on to him.
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Post by whitworth on Jan 3, 2017 7:01:54 GMT -5
It just doesn't get better than that! This is the greatest gift - period!
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Post by kings6 on Jan 3, 2017 17:02:00 GMT -5
Paulg, that is THE best Christmas story I have heard this year! I think those of us with family in the military have a special appreciation when we get to see those who serve home for the holidays. Thank you raising him to be a warrior with a servants heart.
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Post by dougader on Jan 3, 2017 23:02:55 GMT -5
Anything posted after that, paulg, pales in comparison. What a great Christmas!
Hats, guns, shirts... it's all meaningless without family.
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Joe S.
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Post by Joe S. on Jan 3, 2017 23:08:31 GMT -5
PaulG That is a GREAT story! Plenty of reason to be proud of that!
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paulg
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Posts: 2,420
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Post by paulg on Jan 3, 2017 23:31:56 GMT -5
Paulg, that is THE best Christmas story I have heard this year! I think those of us with family in the military have a special appreciation when we get to see those who serve home for the holidays. Thank you raising him to be a warrior with a servants heart. Thank you all for your kind words and your appreciation for Peter's service. I feel blessed that he was home this year and I'm humbled by his willingness to serve our country. Robb, he has had that servants heart since he was a young boy. He has always cared about the well being of others no matter their station in life, race or religion. I credit our great God for giving him these values. There are so many families that didn't get to see their beloved service members this year because they were killed in service to our country and my gratitude goes out to those families. There are many members here that spent or are spending holidays away from home and family in service to our country. My thanks to all of you. Paul
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Post by BigBore44 on Jan 4, 2017 0:39:27 GMT -5
Paul Please thank your son, Peter for me as well... I may not pray every day But, when I do I Always mention our service men and women, here with us now or, those who have made the greatest sacrifice of all.
Thank you All! Ray
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Post by win1894s on Jan 4, 2017 6:15:18 GMT -5
thats a good Christmas present.my sil leaves for middle east for 4th time in feb
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