I'M GOING TO THE SANDBOX!!!

I don't know how often I'll be able to post in the near future, and up to a year or two (I'm hoping I'll at least be able to check in from time to time). I'm heading to the sandbox- I let a few of you know it might be coming... Now some might say I'm doing it for the president's amusement. Ha! Others might pray for my demise (well, my God can beat up your god, so ha again!). However, if you're reading this, you probably already know the truth. I'm doing it to make a difference and help people, I'm doing this for my family, and at least half of a country, and I'm doing this to in some small way contribute to a great cause: FREEDOM.

Perhaps my favorite hero of history, or one of them at least, Lafayette (a possible relation, I'm told by my grandmother), heard about the concept of liberty and the plight of a struggling nation caught in a revolution. He heard the tales of hopelessness and offered not only his fortune, but himself, knowing the possible outcome and the overwhelming odds he would face.
He turned the tide of battle more than once, bringing victory and freedom to a nation that was, and still is, grateful for his devotion to its birth (even if his name is dropped from the history books). He was friend of all the founders, an "adopted son" of Washington, and America. He took up as his personal motto and family crest, "Cur non" meaning, "Why not?" Why not indeed?!?!


I had family in the Revolution, some fought in the civil war, my great grandfather was in WWI, carrying a British Enfield rifle and marching all over lands he wasn't from. He was mustard gassed 5 times and lived to tell of it. His story is truly amazing (I got a copy of his diary from his time overseas). My grandfather followed suite and at Pearl Harbor dove into flaming waters to rescue a dozen men. My father in law was in Vietnam, lost all his friends, and returned home to an ungrateful nation.

Nothing I face will likely be so harrowing (I've already faced down some anti-troop folks, and I know they don't represent America), and I will no doubt be safer than I'd be if I remained so close to Washington D.C., where you can't even defend yourself (now that's a depressing thought). I'm going to a "safe" zone in a war zone. I know there's a slight chance something could go wrong, more so with every game Congress plays their games, but I believe that the greatest risk is to not contribute, even in some small way. I believe everyone, in their own way, as much as they are able, CAN and DOES make a difference when they make a stand for what is right. Whether you are one person, or an entire nation, you can be go the extra mile, turn the tide, and accomplish what others call impossible. NOTHING is impossible so long as you place your life in the hands of God and decide to NEVER GIVE UP!

I believe we have been given a great opportunity to grow as a nation, to overcome tyranny, to bring freedom and bring light. Our responsibility lies in being the"city on a hill" that exists not to be taken, or divided up and handed to those not willing to pour their hearts into its existence, but in serving as a shining example of freedom to the world. A lot of Americans have forgotten that, but plenty of us, AND our friends around the world- have not. They know why freedom requires sacrifice, because they either know their history, have lived it, or are living it right now.

We have an obligation to do unto others as we would have them do unto us- I believe that applies not just to individuals, but to nations as well. I don't care what reason others had for going into Iraq, the point is we now have a duty to protect freedom there. I don't care what you say about "we can't police the world." That's a bunch of crap; isolationism doesn't work. Maybe we can't be everywhere at once, but we can make a difference instead of turning our backs and burying our heads. The troops know this, and give their all for it.

We fought in WWI and won. We fought in WWII and won. The only way to ensure our own existence and long-term survival is to bring freedom and democracy wherever we go, taking off blinders and making people aware of their inalienable rights with every step we take. We've lost sight of that as a nation, we "forgot" (or were manipulated into forgetting) how we relied on the help of others, and many forgot their American spirit, and we need to get it back. America, I leave you with that challenge, by God I ask you to re-forge this country so that it is in a better condition when I get back here one way or another!

I don't want to come back to see America continue to march towards destruction. I don't want to come back to see rights and freedoms continue to be stripped away by Congress, by the corrupt "activist" judges, or even by a new president who is another "lesser of two evils." I won't stand for it and neither should you. Put some work into it. Hold town meetings. Go door to door for Hunter (or whoever the cleanest candidate turns out to be- there's been too much filth in the White House to settle for a dirty politician). Make miles of petitions. Vote out the corruption and demand REAL reform. I'll be doing 12 hour shifts 7 days a week, leaving my family, friends, and everything I've ever known for at least a year. I beg you to do something to ensure this nation is protected from tyranny.

Well, that's about all the time I have for now. The next 3 weeks will consist of me wrapping up work projects, packing, tying up loose ends, and moving my wife and pets down to Fl to await my safe return (God willing). Good luck America, and God Bless!

Very Respectfully,
Chris