Only In America By Deborah Tainsh

Only In America By: Deborah Tainsh

Deborah Tannish Has been on my show several times. Here is her latest article from Military.com's Op-Ed page. Take a read a feel free to leave your post.


About Deborah Tainsh: Gold Star Mother of Sgt Patrick Tainsh KIA Baghdad, Iraq, 2/11/04, is the author of Heart of a Hawk: One family's sacrifice and journey toward healing, recipient of the Military Writers Society of America's Spirit of Freedom award. A supporter of America's military and their families, Deborah is a national speaker, writer, and peer mentor for Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors of military personnel located in Washington, D.C. She and her husband, USMC Sgt. Major (Ret) David Tainsh live in Harris County, Georgia, near Columbus and their son, Phillip. For more info go to: www.heartofahawk.com


For eighteen months my husband, a retired Marine Corps sergeant major, and I have enjoyed traveling. The two of us have experienced our country's mountains, flatlands, painted deserts, oceans, a river of the thousand islands, green and golden foliage, snow and gracious human beings that reminded us that the majority of the world is not evil. We appreciate the beauty we see and wish we could hand it on a platter to all.A recent trip took us to New York's historic beautiful Saratoga National Park, the battle ground for the turning point in our nation's own journey to independence. Silent cannons overlook today's beautiful valley at Saratoga and a single concrete marker lying flat in the earth is etched in memory of those who died here. I brushed tears away and wondered what the ghosts of that battle would say to us about the lack of will to pursue victory in today's war.

Days later we visited New Windsor, New York, near West Point, with over one thousand others for opening ceremonies of the new National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. New Windsor is the site of the last encampment of the Continental Army, in the state where independence was won. Here, where General George Washington created the Purple Heart Badge of Merit that we know now as the Purple Heart Medal, the history and stories of every Purple Heart recipient that can be obtained will be housed forever to teach about those who sacrificed to uphold the Constitution of this United States against all enemies foreign and domestic. Walking beneath towering oaks and maples, stepping on acorns and stones, as the sun fell below the horizon, again I walked on hallowed ground. Here, over one thousand rag-tag American soldiers and their families lived and fought for our nation's independence. Again I wondered what they would think of our country and its new wars. What would General Washington say to our President, Congress, troops, and citizens? I'm at least certain he would again, on bended knee without fear of repulsing certain others, pray without hesitation. So, I said a silent prayer in his stead.

On returning to Georgia, we stopped to visit the new remarkable National United States Marine Corps Museum that opened on November 10th at Quatico, Va. From the replica of Tun's Tavern where the Marine Corps was born in 1775, through timelines of aircraft, tanks, guns, depictions of Marine Corps battles, and photos of Medal of Honor recipients, it would take an iron heart not to feel and honor the spirit of the men and women of this great force, those who have helped gain and preserve our freedoms and that of others. Here, my husband reflected with pride and sorrow. Wandering through the Vietnam exhibit and viewing photos of Con Tien, his location with 9th Marines during the Tet Offensive, he said solemnly, "It brings back memories."We found ourselves in Arlington walking behind a caison on November 14 with the friends and family of a son and husband killed in Afghanistan on October 31. Tears fell again for the names etched on the white stones as far as the eye could see. The are the names to which we give thanks for preserving this America the beautiful, the place I pray our American heritage, strength, perseverance and compassion not be lost.

At home in Georgia, near Fort Benning where our son's memorial stone is etched with Operation Iraqi Freedom, we attended the annual "God Bless Ft. Benning" event. With sponsors the event has grown to over 15,000 visitors and vendors that support America's troops and families. Of course free speech allows the simultaneous protesting of the School of Americas outside the gates of Fort Benning. The protestors, a low 6,000 this year, are mostly high school and college students who are bussed in and receive extra credit for attending. Where else but America?Right before Thanksgiving, Montgomery Gentry, the country hit duo, visited stateside bases, including Fort Benning. Known for their all-American songs including Our Town and Some People Change, they connected with the troops and showed appreciation through smiles and handshakes even after hours of standing and greeting long lines of fans. I was also impressed with their patient, gentle business manager who was a former Army officer stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, and a subsequent reservist who truly knew the importance of the visit to the soldiers. Thanksgiving, a uniquely American holiday - a day proclaimed with hope by President Abraham Lincoln in the aftermath of our own Civil War to pull our nation together. What would Lincoln recommend today?

Now the Christmas season is upon us. During this time I pray we find answers to what will make us become one again. I pray the nation will always remember those who sacrifice to give us our America, the gift never to be taken for granted.



For eighteen months my husband, a retired Marine Corps sergeant major, and I have enjoyed traveling. The two of us have experienced our country's mountains, flatlands, painted deserts, oceans, a river of the thousand islands, green and golden foliage, snow and gracious human beings that reminded us that the majority of the world is not evil. We appreciate the beauty we see and wish we could hand it on a platter to all.

A recent trip took us to New York's historic beautiful Saratoga National Park, the battle ground for the turning point in our nation's own journey to independence. Silent cannons overlook today's beautiful valley at Saratoga and a single concrete marker lying flat in the earth is etched in memory of those who died here. I brushed tears away and wondered what the ghosts of that battle would say to us about the lack of will to pursue victory in today's war.

Days later we visited New Windsor, New York, near West Point, with over one thousand others for opening ceremonies of the new National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. New Windsor is the site of the last encampment of the Continental Army, in the state where independence was won. Here, where General George Washington created the Purple Heart Badge of Merit that we know now as the Purple Heart Medal, the history and stories of every Purple Heart recipient that can be obtained will be housed forever to teach about those who sacrificed to uphold the Constitution of this United States against all enemies foreign and domestic.

Walking beneath towering oaks and maples, stepping on acorns and stones, as the sun fell below the horizon, again I walked on hallowed ground. Here, over one thousand rag-tag American soldiers and their families lived and fought for our nation's independence. Again I wondered what they would think of our country and its new wars. What would General Washington say to our President, Congress, troops, and citizens? I'm at least certain he would again, on bended knee without fear of repulsing certain others, pray without hesitation. So, I said a silent prayer in his stead.

On returning to Georgia, we stopped to visit the new remarkable National United States Marine Corps Museum that opened on November 10th at Quatico, Va. From the replica of Tun's Tavern where the Marine Corps was born in 1775, through timelines of aircraft, tanks, guns, depictions of Marine Corps battles, and photos of Medal of Honor recipients, it would take an iron heart not to feel and honor the spirit of the men and women of this great force, those who have helped gain and preserve our freedoms and that of others. Here, my husband reflected with pride and sorrow. Wandering through the Vietnam exhibit and viewing photos of Con Tien, his location with 9th Marines during the Tet Offensive, he said solemnly, "It brings back memories."

We found ourselves in Arlington walking behind a caison on November 14 with the friends and family of a son and husband killed in Afghanistan on October 31. Tears fell again for the names etched on the white stones as far as the eye could see. The are the names to which we give thanks for preserving this America the beautiful, the place I pray our American heritage, strength, perseverance and compassion not be lost.

At home in Georgia, near Fort Benning where our son's memorial stone is etched with Operation Iraqi Freedom, we attended the annual "God Bless Ft. Benning" event. With sponsors the event has grown to over 15,000 visitors and vendors that support America's troops and families. Of course free speech allows the simultaneous protesting of the School of Americas outside the gates of Fort Benning. The protestors, a low 6,000 this year, are mostly high school and college students who are bussed in and receive extra credit for attending. Where else but America?

Right before Thanksgiving, Montgomery Gentry, the country hit duo, visited stateside bases, including Fort Benning. Known for their all-American songs including Our Town and Some People Change, they connected with the troops and showed appreciation through smiles and handshakes even after hours of standing and greeting long lines of fans. I was also impressed with their patient, gentle business manager who was a former Army officer stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, and a subsequent reservist who truly knew the importance of the visit to the soldiers.

Thanksgiving, a uniquely American holiday - a day proclaimed with hope by President Abraham Lincoln in the aftermath of our own Civil War to pull our nation together. What would Lincoln recommend today?

Now the Christmas season is upon us. During this time I pray we find answers to what will make us become one again. I pray the nation will always remember those who sacrifice to give us our America, the gift never to be taken for granted.