Gathering of Eagles

www.gatheringofeagles.org

Saturday from 12 to 1 pm at the MIA/POW memorial downtown at the government building we are going to have a stand in, we want as many people as we can get to show support for all of the people who have died in wars protecting our freedoms, Jane Fonda has decided to hold a anti war rally with the backdrop being the Vietnam war memorial, the blogers are saying they will chip away at the memorial etc, bring hammers blah blah, anyway 20 of us are going to Washington DC, yet not many people can go to WashingtonDC, so we are asking for our friends to stand and make a statement to the community that you are with us, I was thinking maybe you could just email this to your list and ask if anyone could come and stand together it is just a statement to the city that we support the troops, our president and this country
If any of you could go to Washington there are some seats left on a bus in Atlanta.

GAS GOUGING

Have you been listening?
Are you tired of paying higher prices than Atlanta?
Make the call 1-800-869-1123
They are getting away with it because we
are not higher than the national average.
They are robbing you.
Don't let them get away without a fight!!!

Marines and Kerry

Looks like our "uneducated" troops are smart enough to not want to hang out with someone who betrays them..


Mike Sr.
A picture does say a thousand words…a forward from a friend…

A friend of mine serving in Iraq sent me this photo and note. I received it before Christmas, but was out of the office. Priceless story it tells...."This is a true story.....Check out this photo from our mess hall at the US Embassy yesterday morning. Sen. Kerry found himself all alone while he was over here. He cancelled his press conference because no one came, he worked out alone in the gym w/o any soldiers even going up to say hi or ask for an autograph (I was one of those who was in the gym at the same time), and he found himself eating breakfast with only a couple of folks who are obviously not troops.
What is amazing is Bill O'Reilly came to visit with us and the troops at the CSH the same day and the line for autographs extended through the palace and people waited for two hours to shake his hand. You decide who is more respected and loved by us servicemen and women!"Ronnie D. Foster"Not as lean, not as mean, but still a MARINE."

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL

The Contacts for Babe Ruth Baseball
baberuth36877@yahoo.com
Mike Green 334-298-3800
Sign Ups start Saturday 1/20/07 from 10-2 EST
In the SSHS Gym and will continue for the following two Saturdays
At the same location and times

Our Visit With The President

President of True Compassion
By Deborah Tainsh 1/16/07

Except for the man or woman in uniform that pledges to uphold the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, I’ve never been one to be star struck. So when my husband, USMC Sgt Major (Ret) David Tainsh, and I, parents of fallen hero Army Sgt. Patrick Tainsh, received the invitation to meet with President Bush on January 11, at Fort Benning, I told the caller I would be in California that day. I was meeting with other very important people, 100 family members of other fallen heroes. However, I knew my husband would not want to miss meeting our nation’s Commander-in-Chief. But with some flight rearranging that would get me to California by Friday morning to moderate a “family grief circle” and journaling through grief writing workshop, I, my husband, and 24 other Georgia and Alabama families found ourselves in the presence of the leader of the greatest nation in the world.
Families arrived at the Fort Benning officer’s club by noon to be in place by the time Air Force One landed and the base went to shut down. After entering the doors, purses were checked and our bodies scanned by White House police. Secret Service agents stood scattered around the large banquet hall. Any gifts brought for the president had to be handed over to an agent, and no cameras or recording devices were allowed. Photos would later be taken by a White House photographer.
Our Gold Star families, the term given to those of us who have a loved one die in war, received five-star treatment from Fort Benning staff that had worked diligently to gather families for this historic event. A banquet table of finger foods, deserts, and beverages sat at our fingertips. With a three hour wait, the time was spent well with families meeting each other, sharing stories, and providing opportunity for Dave and I to share information about TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors of military personnel and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors) headquartered in Washington, D.C.
As time approached for the President’s arrival to the O Club following his meeting with the troops, we were all organized into three groups and led to three separate rooms. Dave and I were led to the Benning room with 26 other family members representing: Seaman Zachary M. Alday, SFC Victor Anderson, SPC Stephen D. Hiller, SFC David Salie, SPC Justin Johnson, Major Douglas Sloan, SGT Charles Wilkerson, and SPC Jacques Brunson. Seated in a circle of chairs and “love seats,” we learned that this was the first occasion for the President, at his request, to meet with families as a group. The President usually sat in a room as individual families were brought to him.
At 3:50 p.m. a secret service agent announced the President’s entry to our room, the third and last. We all stood in respect as I kept my eyes on the door and watched it slowly open. I wasn’t star struck, but I found myself suddenly in a surreal moment, the momentary disbelief that I and my husband were about to meet with the most powerful leader of the free world. The moment was also surreal because no one there ever wanted to meet our President because a loved one had died in war. I suddenly reaffirmed again the reality that our Patrick was really not coming home again, but I nor my husband were no less proud and I witnessed no negativity among a single other family member.
After walking into the circle, a man of commanding presence, confident and secure, with no arrogant air, the President’s first words were: “Thank you for coming by today. I appreciate your time. I am here to honor your loved ones, America’s heroes. If I had not believed the mission a right and just cause, I would never have sent your loved one into harms way. It’ll be hard for me not to shed tears with you. I’m here as long as you need me the rest of the day to talk, give or accept hugs, and sign anything you’d like for me to sign. Just don’t ask me to sing, because I can’t sing.” With that we all laughed and he chuckled as he turned to the first family near him and they introduced themselves and their son’s name. After chatting a few moments, Mr. Brunson said, “Mr. President, I’d like to say a prayer for you.” Everyone stood as this mild, graceful father held the President’s hand and said a prayer for him, our nation, our troops, and the people of Iraq.
Next, the President spent time with 11 year old Aidan Sloan whose dad died in Afghanistan in October.
Mom Jan Johnson told the President that she belonged to a prayer group that prayed constantly for him. President Bush turned to everyone and said, “I am blessed to be the only leader in the world who is privileged to have the people of his country constantly praying for him. Laura and I feel your prayers, they give us strength. And we thank you.” Then with another bit of humor he said he had often wanted to ask someone like the leader of China if his people ever prayed for him, but then he figured it wouldn’t go over too well. Again we all laughed. And before the President approached Dave and me, Dad Joe Johnson shook the President’s hand again and said, “Sir, I support your decisions. I served in Iraq for a year after our son’s death, we need the troops. We need to complete the mission. It’s worth it.” After a final hug and handshake with the Johnsons, President Bush stepped in front of us. Dave introduced himself and spoke about Patrick as he locked a handshake, after which the President looked straight into my eyes, asked how I was doing, then gave me, as he had the other moms, a bear hug and kiss on the side of the face. I held in my hands Patrick’s green military issued notebook. The one he had written briefing notes inside, the one he left a 3 page letter in for his family in case he was killed.
“Mr. President,” I said, “Thank you for seeing us. We support you 100%.”
After telling him I had brought a notebook with letters of prayers and support from other Gold Star parents from across the nation, I showed him Patrick’s notebook and looked him directly in the eyes.
“This is the book our son wrote in while in Iraq, and this is the letter he left for us in the event of his death. Mr. President, our son believed in the Iraqi people, in this letter he states that he hopes the Iraqi people will someday experience the same freedoms that he was blessed to experience, that it was an honor to live, fight and die with an American Flag on his shoulder. He tells how he cried for the children because he didn’t have food and water for them. He said they were worth the fight.”
I soon saw President Bush fighting back thick puddles of tears. With his hands entwined behind him, he straightened his shoulders as though to re-compose himself. As my voice began to break and tears moistened my cheeks, I pointed to the last words printed in red on the page, Love, your son, Patrick, and said, “Mr. President, would you please write a note to Patrick. Tell him you won’t let him down.” I then handed the book and a pen to President Bush and he wrote: Patrick, thank you for your courage. I won’t let you down. George W. Bush.
After returning the book to me, I accepted another tremendous hug of sincere compassion, and my husband, with tears in his eyes accepted another handshake and gentle pat on the shoulder. All the while, as with the other families, the White House photographer was snapping photos that we will all eventually receive with the President Bush’s signature. And before walking away from each of us, the President gave us a Presidential Coin and his heartfelt thanks for our sacrifices.
Because Dave and I had a flight to catch from Atlanta to California to meet with other people important to our lives, we had to leave the room before the President spoke with everyone. But later, I heard only positive from the others.
Regarding our journey since the death of our fallen heroes, I have labeled our families the “grieving proud.” Most don’t understand us, but the President did, and his sincere patience and compassion showed. And the strange thing I recall is that I cannot tell you what color his tie was, but I can describe his soft black leather slip-on shoes with thick cushioned soles, which to me holds a metaphor for a world leader who stands secure, comfortable and strong in his convictions to carry the burden of our nation’s safety on his shoulders, to courage to face eye to eye the families of our nation’s fallen heroes.

Author of Heart of a Hawk: One family’s sacrifice and journey toward healing http://www.heartofahawk.com/, Deborah resides in Harris County, Ga with her husband.
She is also a volunteer national speaker and peer mentor for the Tragedy Assistance Program for survivors of military personnel. http://www.taps.org/
Contact Deborah for speaking engagements at: heartofahawk@msn.com

Rob Smets

www.robsmets.com

Check out the site for this champion bullfighter.
It is an awesome thing.

Part 2 of Flight of True Love

Here's part 2 of "Flight of True Love" written by Maylinda Jane in the Military Extra Publication

Date: Fri, 05 Jan 2007 12:26:38 -0500
Hello to Everyone,

In the November publication of the Military Extra I told you a story of
Shelly and Lt. Kelly D. Hall. I will give you a brief reminder about
their story and then I will share the rest of Shelly and Kelly’s story with
you.

Shelly and Lt. Kelly Hall are two people that shared such a powerful
love full of devotion, admiration, support and strength. During Kelly’s
career as a soldier they experienced many transfers from one military base to
another, just as other military families do. They had their ups and
downs in various career challenges, but also those that come along with being
a military family. Despite the obstacles or challenges that they faced,
they did it together and made sure that whatever was to come, their love
would always be their guiding strength for one another.


Here are the final words that were shared with you in the November
commentary. Shelly had waited for Kelly to meet her at the dentist
office. He had a routine check out flight at 0700 that should not have taken
more than a couple of hours, but he never made it to their appointment.
Shelly, frustrated, went to the airbase, parked her car next to her husbands at
the flight line and asked two soldiers to watch her children while she went
inside to find Kelly.


Shelly walked up to the Flight Operations with a stern stride in her
step and approached a CW3 (Chief Warrant Officer) that was on the phone.
Before she could say a word, his hand was stiff, palm open in the air and
hushes her. The CW3 stated “Safety team to arrive...” and Shelly knew
immediately there had been a serious accident or crash. The man looked at her and
asked “Who are you?” she replied “I’m Mrs. Hall”, and she watched the color
drain from this man’s face in a brief but slow motion moment. Shelly looked
him in the eye and asked “Survivors or not?” Shelly called me and said she
was on her way to my office to tell me the rest of her story, I told her I
would be waiting downstairs. As I sat there waiting for her I thought about
our previous visit and the story that she had shared with me. This woman
and man had five beautiful children and a love that often exceeds most
people’s expectations of what they can possibly experience in a lifetime.



The door opens and she steps into my office. We exchange hugs and
smiles, we sit down and travel to the past where we left off, bringing you to
the present. Shelly again asked the CW3 “Survivors or not?” he replied “I
can’t answer that”. Shelly looked at him through cloudy eyes and said “You
pretty much did”. Shelly said that it felt like the room was spinning, she
began walking around the room in circles not being able to focus on anything.
She was pacing back and forth with no direction, panic setting in, feeling
lost and confused at what was happening. The CW3 immediately picked up the
phone and asked that the Chaplain come to his office, saying Lt. Kelly Hall’s
wife was here.



Shelly remembers seeing the dry erase board with the list of flights
that had been scheduled to fly that day. Kelly and Dan Hunter names were on
the board and their call sign was “Argus 24”, next to the call sign were
the words saying the plane went down at 0924. The officer in the room
hangs up the phone, turns to Shelly, and again she asks survivors or not. He
replied I can’t say, but she already knew. In the midst of the fear that
surrounded her she heard the faint words of the officer asking for the Chaplain.


Overwhelmed with the situation, Shelly’s pacing increases to a frantic
need to leave the room in hopes of escaping this unfolding nightmare. As
she walks toward the door she tells the officer “I have to leave”, he tells
her that he can’t let her leave and that the Chaplain is on his way.
Shelly’s breathing is speeding up. Almost as if trying to catch up with the
thoughts that are racing through her mind, and she tells the officer that she
has to get her children who are outside with two soldiers. He reassured her
that the children would be fine and that they would bring them to her. She
felt sick to her stomach and asked how to find the bathroom. So many
emotions are flooding her body that she feels like a caged animal and begins to
scream and cry, her body moving in sporadic movements with no control.
Finally, she collapses on her knees to the floor, and then without
knowing how she got there, she is sitting on the couch in the office.



Ten minutes later the Chaplain, Colonel’s wife, and the Commander’s
wife, all who had been looking for Shelly throughout the day, arrived. The
children unaware of what is going on are still with the soldiers in the
hanger, playing with one another completely innocent to the reality of
the life altering news they would soon hear. Shelly sat there full of
indescribable pain and yet numb of her own existence. She remembered
that for some reason at two o’clock that day she had a bad feeling come over
her that something was wrong, and now realizing that her inner feeling had
come true.


She is sitting with the Chaplain and the other officials that have come
to her aid and she remembers thinking “is this really happening? This
can’t be real, it just can’t be.” Her emotions are engulfing her with each tick
of the clock and then her dominating thoughts are “how I am going to tell
the children?” Shelly took a deep breath, focused on the people that
surrounded her in the room and knew what she had to do; the military wife that she
had always been was now pulling herself together to fulfill the line of
duty of being a military wife. Again, in hopes of all this being a bad dream,
Shelly said “This can’t be happening”, the Chaplain takes her hand and
says “its official, the plane went down on final approach into Wurtzburg and
the officials are at the crash site”. He also told Shelly that there was a
Catholic priest at the crash site giving Kelly his last rites and this
brought her some comfort in knowing this. Later Shelly asked the
officials if she could see her husband, and she was told not yet, unknowing that
she would never be able to see her Kelly again. She began to make the
phone calls that are every parent’s nightmare. She called Kelly’s parents
and her parents with the news that would forever change all their lives.


Shelly asked that her three older children that were 4, 5 and 6 years
old be brought in to her. As soon as they walked in and saw their mother
crying, they knew something terrible had happened. Embracing one another, the
family that now has lost a father and husband pulls together to begin a
healing process that would take a long time. For on this day, November
6, 1998, their lives were forever changed. Shelly and the children were
escorted back to their home and she stated that the support they
received from the unit was unbelievable, a blessing she will never forget.


Once they arrived at the house, Shelly tried to function in what used
to be the norm and was now unfamiliar territory. As she sat there in the
den, Tyler, the oldest, came up to her mother and asked, “What kind of
ground did daddy’s plane crash into?” Shelly, a little bewildered by this
question, told Tyler that the plane crashed in dirt, dirt that was surrounded by
an apple orchard. Tyler replied “Thank goodness it wasn’t concrete, the
dirt made a softer landing for daddy”. She hugged her daughter, and thought
how amazing that she was already beginning to process and deal with this
tragedy. The thought of Tyler’s dad landing in dirt amidst an apple
orchard would not be painful, which brought Tyler some peace of mind.


Shelly’s parents arrived in Germany on November 8th, two day’s after
Kelly’s accident. Mr. Charles Hacker, Shelly’s dad, was previously a member of
the 82nd Airborne, C/Company 1/504th, the same unit that Kelly served in
while he was in the Gulf War. There was exactly thirty years difference in
their careers. Mr. Hacker saw Kelly as a son rather than a son-in-law, and
sharing the love of flying and being pilots only strengthened their
bond and deepened Mr. Hacker’s grief. He went to the crash site on the 9th and
the plane was still there. He respectfully paid his respects to his
son-in-law, Lt. Kelly D. Hall, and to CW3 Dan Hunter, two young men serving their
country with heart and soul. Shelly, needing to feel close to Kelly,
visited the crash site on the 11th. The plane had been removed and all
that was left was a huge hole in the earth which was symbolic to the hole in
her life. The smell of fuel still floating in the air, a muddy frame of
earth from where the plane had crashed and a farmers practically burned shed.
This tragic ending of two lives in the middle of an apple orchard in
the small German town of Sommerhausen would change everyone in some aspect
forever.


Shelly asked me if I had ever been to a military funeral or memorial.
I told her my dad’s, but that I was young and that I don’t remember
anything about it. She said that it is a military tradition to do Roll Call,
which is the calling of a soldiers name in the unit. They first call a
soldier by name who responds with “Here Sir!” another soldiers name is called and
he too responds with the same “Here Sir! Then they call Lt. Kelly Hall,
no response only silence, and then a second call for Lt. Kelly Hall, still
no answer. After the third request for an answer from Lt. Kelly D. Hall
meets with no response, Taps begins playing in honor of the fallen soldier,
father and husband. This was one of the most difficult moments for Shelly to
bear.


Shelly, now a widow with five children, knew that it was up to her to
keep things in order and try to pull her family together. That she had to
be the strong person that her Kelly had loved and admired for all the years
they had shared. Within six days of Kelly’s death, Shelly had planned a
memorial, went through the process of executing the will, cleared post,
packed, and headed back to the states to try and pick up the pieces of
her and her children’s shattered lives.


Shelly experienced many phases of grief which is part of the process
when you lose someone you love. There would be many moments of bewilderness
and feelings of being lost. Not knowing how to simply move forward without
the person that had walked with you on the path of life. Shelly shared
with me a story that happened two weeks after Kelly died. At 2am Shelly went
into her 11 month old son Tanner’s room to check on him and give him a
bottle.


As she walked into his room Tanner was saying “dada, dada” over and
over again and smiling. Shelly bent down to pick him up from his crib and
Tanner shook his head no and repeated those precious words “dada, dada”,
indicating who he wanted to pick him up. Shelly said that for the next ten days
around 2am Tanner would wake up and excitedly repeat the words “dada.”
She remembers another time when she had Tanner on her hip and he was
bouncing up and down giggling and saying “dada, dada.” Shelly said the hair on her
neck stood straight up, she wanted so badly to turn around, but just
couldn’t bring herself to do it. She hugged Tanner and slowly walked out of the
room feeling a peace surround her knowing that Kelly was in the room, and he
was telling Tanner goodbye.


Shelly knew she had to be strong for her children and for her own well
being as Kelly would have wanted her to be, and that Kelly would want her to
move forward with her life. When Shelly left Germany for the United States
she moved back home to Michigan, found a home for her and her family, and
day by day pulled the pieces of her life back together. Her older children
went to grief therapy, and Shelly, needing support, began searching for someone
who had experienced the same loss she was going through, someone to connect
with and help to guide her through this path of uncertainty.


After months of searching, Shelly discovered an organization that could
offer her something. She placed a call and within moments Bonnie
Carroll, the Founder of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS),
contacted Shelly and shared with her the various ways that this program
would assist her and her children through this difficult time. TAPS
website (www.taps.org) lists benefits for military families, spouses and
children.


Shelly shared that this organization has a Good Grief Camp for children
who have lost a parent serving their country that is held every Memorial
Day Weekend in Washington DC and her children have attended this camp every
year since Kelly’s death. Each child is assigned a “Mentor/Soldier” of
their own who has attended training classes on how to help children cope with
grief.


There are also grief counselors who come from all around the world to
play with these children, assist with their grief, and to let them know they
have a friend to help them with their loss. For a lot of children, spending
time with these Mentors is their first exposure to a soldier since the loss
of their parent, which has a positive and profound effect on their lives.
Shelly has also become a Mentor in the TAPS program, wanting to give
back to others what she had received in her time of need. She is partnered
with widows that have some of the same circumstances she does, such as a
husband that was a pilot that died in a plane crash, or a parent raising their
children alone, or simply someone that lives in the same area. Shelly
also has volunteered with the Sheriff’s Department doing Death Notifications, and
is a part of a team referred to as “Access”, which is out of New York,
and assists family members that have lost a loved one in any sort of plane
crash, lending mentoring and support to the survivors.


Shelly stayed in Michigan for four years after the death of her
husband, and then moved to the Columbus and Fort Benning area wanting to be near a
large base, some place that really felt like home. She has such a deep love
for the military and the commitment of the soldiers and their families.
She is currently a full time student attending CSU for her Masters. She
stated that the children are doing great and are attending wonderful schools
that they love. She also stated that there are so many opportunities here
for her and her children that she has found some peace in living here.
This woman has experienced such a tragic loss, and in spite of everything
has moved forward with her life and gives so much back to so many others in
need. Shelly is also a board member for Crime Stoppers, a member of
the advisory board for the Regional Youth Detention Center, and a member of
the God Bless Fort Bennning Planning Committee.


I don’t know how I can ever tell her how much her sharing her story
with me has meant. Not only the words from her heart and soul, but also the
pictures, letters, and drawings that she and her children have shared
with me and now with you. She is an amazing woman, who is the definition of
a “Military Soldiers Wife and Mother”, serving her country, her
community, and her family in spite of her soldier now serving in God’s army in heaven.


Thank you Shelly for being who you are, and inspiring me to be more
aggressive in my involvement to this community as a United States
citizen and the daughter of a soldier who now serves with your Lt. Kelly D.
Hall in heaven above. If Shelly could say anything she would say: “Try not to
sweat the little things. Life is going to be cruel and difficult for
everyone at one time or another. That’s when it feels all out of
control.


The only thing I could really control was my attitude. I had a choice
to be angry at losing my soulmate or feeling blessed that we had 10 fabulous
years together and 5 beautifully healthy children. I chose the latter.”



By: Maylinda Jane

Letters from the Front

Here's a letter I recieved from Iraq from John C Powledge a chaplain for the Army...........

Letters from the Front 18 December 2006

Family and Friends,

Greetings from Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and Merry Christmas,


See you do have a friend in the above named nations, in fact a lot of friends from the United States military. I am in Kuwait today, last week, Iraq, and next week Afghanistan. It has gotten quite cool here with temperatures this morning being near freezing with a very stiff northerly wind. This follows the all day rain event of two days ago. I am doing well as are most of my soldiers. Some however, are suffering the Kuwaiti Crud even as I did a couple of weeks ago.

I am confident I can speak for all of my soldiers when I say the hardest thing about being here is the separation from our families. As a soldier I have been absent for many important family events; several anniversaries, my son’s first words, his first steps, and at least one of his birthdays. However, this may be the first time I have been apart from my precious wife, Annette, for Christmas, since we were married. We were almost apart Christmas 1981, but she flew into Frankfurt, Germany, Christmas Eve and so we were together that year. What a memory that is as she was 7 months pregnant with our son Russell, and had just finished her Masters of Science degree in Biology.


though I am apart from loved ones, there is some ironic humor in spending Christmas here. For instance, imagine shopping for Christmas gifts in an Arab bazaar instead of Penney’s, WalMart or wherever you prefer to shop, with shop keepers calling out to you, “Good quality for just a few Yankee Doodles”. Then I walked into our little Zone 1 Post Exchange yesterday and there in front of me was a sign announcing “8 days of shopping left until Christmas.” Uh, actually, if we didn’t send our gifts a week ago they won’t make it by Christmas.
My trip to Iraq last week went very well. It was gratifying to see the faces of many of the soldiers I had visited before they left the states, and had promised I would see them in theater, literally light up when they saw me coming to greet them in Iraq. I’m glad I could keep that promise as they are good soldiers and I’m proud of them. I doubt if any of us thought we would be here now, six years ago. The general condition is you hear lots of noise outside the wire of our Forward Operating Bases, but it rarely affects soldiers who are inside the wire. No, our enemy generally can only get at our brave soldiers when our soldiers go out to prevent the evil he is trying to perpetrate. Even then the enemy rarely fights according to any rules of war as he usually hides among women and children and other non-combatants. What’s his attitude when one of more of these non-combatants is killed? That that’s the price the Islamic peoples will have to pay to destroy the infidel. They have no respect for the sanctity of human life, except as far as they can use the life or death of one of those humans to advance their agenda. That sounds like a good definition for evil.


our beloved United States is under assault all over the globe by nations and groups who would destroy the very freedoms and liberties we enjoy, if they could. Please do keep our soldiers and their families in your prayers. This is a difficult and frightening time for many of those family members who have loved ones in harms way. Indeed as you look around the world at the likes of Al Qaeda, Hamas, and Hezbollah (terrorists groups), or Iran, Syria, and North Korea (ruled by truly evil men), it can be a little bit frightening. Remember especially those families whose loved one give the last full measure of devotion for our freedoms. Don’t let yourselves forget them. This will be a lonely Christmas for them. I will say one thing about this war in Iraq. We aren’t losing and won’t lose, militarily that is. The question is do we the American people and our politicians have the will to win? The problem isn’t military. It is political!


But I must confess to sometimes being very concerned for my son, his wife and the children they will have, my nieces and nephew and other family members who are still young and will have to face these challenges. I look at the mess this world is in and sometimes just have to shake my head. Our enemies over here are so demonic in their methods and behavior, yet, I’ll tell you they believe they are doing a great righteousness when they murder others in the name of Allah. I long for that day when the scriptures are fulfilled and the “kingdoms of this world, become the kingdoms of our God and of His Christ.” Daily, Handel’s wonderful and uplifting “Hallelujah Chorus” goes through my mind and occasionally I break out in praise to God singing the words. “And He shall reign forever and ever, forever and ever, and ever and ever. King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and He shall reign forever and ever and ever. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!!! Can you hear it?


So pray for our brave soldiers, but pray even harder for our people and nation, which seem to have been bewitched. As I read the words of many of our “leaders” I almost feel like I am living in Europe after Britain and France handed the Sudetenland to the Germans in order to appease the tyrant Hitler, and have “peace in [their] day”. But the tyrant gave them war instead of peace. Now 70 years later some of our own “leaders” would try to appease other tyrants in order to buy a peace that won’t be peace, because it won’t be based on justice or truth, but on injustice and lies. Will we so soon, in only one biblical generation, allow ourselves to be deceived again by the siren song of evil? Evil cannot be appeased! You either surrender to it, which is unimaginable, or you destroy it!


But, the Babe, laid into the manger over 2,000 years ago was born into a world very much like our world today. It too was marked by much strife and injustice, and also saw good called evil and evil good. Then as now there were false Christs” going about preaching smooth, but lying words to deceive the people. Many of the people lived in sadness amidst the great difficulty of their lives. But neither then nor now, could the darkness overcome the light; nor evil, righteousness. The promise of that Christmas star shines just as bright today as it did then, and the proclamation of the Christmas message rings just as true. And lest we become saddened and depressed because of the darkness we now see, we should remind ourselves of the sublime words penned by Luke of Jesus’ humble birth, “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary who was pledged to be married to him, and was expecting a child. While they were there the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”


“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests (Lk. 2:4-14).’”


For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever should believe in him might not perish, but have everlasting light, for God sent His son into the world not to condemn the world, but that through him the world might be saved (Jn. 3:16-17). To think, the creator of the world, not only put on human flesh to come to earth, die for us, pay the price for our sins thus purchasing our salvation, but he purposed to be born into the most humble of circumstances. Indeed he was born into a poor family, of a poor, persecuted, and often conquered people who many then and now wanted to erase from the earth altogether. It was in this context then that old, faithful, Simeon, a prophet of the people of Israel, who had been promised by God that before he departed this life, he would behold the Savior, prophesied over the baby Jesus when he was presented in the temple. “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel (Lk. 2:29-32).” God will keep His promises!


No matter the darkness of today, or then, or of any time, the light still shines, will continue to shine, and will soon vanquish the darkness forever. As John says, “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it (Jn. 1:5).” Jesus will indeed be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to God’s people Israel”, even as Simeon prophesied. Good will triumph and death will be swallowed in victory. And so we rejoice over future promise, and not just the future, after all He is our “Immanuel, God with us”, now. God is with us today and forevermore. And so I pray expectantly: “Maranatha! Come soon Lord Jesus!”
So today my friends, fear not, for God is with us! May you know all the joy and happiness of this season as you celebrate the birth of our precious Savior, Jesus, Yeshua, Salvation! And then may your 2007 be among the best years you’ve ever known.


I love you. God bless you,
J
JOHN C. POWLEDGE
CH (COL) USAR
Command Chaplain
Phone: DSN (318)430-3903
john.powledge@arcent.army.mil

"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing!" Edmund Burke

Amy Whitley

www.theamywhitleyfoundation.org

Amy Whitley was a nurse at Armour Road Urgent care for 3 years. She was not feeling well and went in to see the doctor there. He sent her immediately to the hospital to have surgery for a small bowel obstruction. They removed nearly all of her intestines leaving her disabled. She has a 5 year old daughter and insurance is denying her claim leaving her with huge doctor and hospital bills as well as a need for more surgery and she has no way to pay them or to support her daughter because trying to get disability is a nightmare.
Amy is only 30 years old. Her life expectancy is 5 years at this point (and that is optimistic).
The Foundation has buckets all over town as well as accounts with CB&T and Wachovia set up in her name.

Fake trees

Chicken Little
Were you listening to the show this morning?
Remember the guy who wouldn't comment.
Well, he has a comment now and he is ripping my show on his blog. How macho!!!
Check it out
www.sincityq.com/blog

Deborah Tainsh stopped by Monday Morning (12/11/06) to talk about her interview with ABC news that aired Saturday (12/09/06) on ABC at 6:00pm. If you'd like to see her interview please click on this link:

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/IraqCoverage/story?id=2713677&page=1

Deborah also talked with Roger Hedgecock on News Radio 640 KOGO Monday December 4th, 2006 in the 5pm hour. This link will direct you to the archived show to hear Deborah's interview.

Click on this linkhttp://rogerhedgecock.com/content/view/177/77/

Other Links for Deborah:

http://www.elvaresa.com/tainsh.html
http://www.heartofahawk.com
http://www.taps.org

http://americanangst.com/dingfries.html

Click Here to sing the Ding Fries are Done Song
Foreward it someone Make it a Christmas present : )

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.

Rolling Out The Red Carpet...

We had a lively discussion this morning. I started out the morning with Lisa Dente a military mom with a husband serving and she was a little perterbed about the Town of Columbus providing bathrooms for these low life pro-testers. I decided to pile on a bit too with the local news media (Ledger Enquirer, News 3, News Leader 9) giving a ridiculous amount of coverage to these guys while stiffing God Bless Fort Benning Day. CNN and Fox News have proven again that they do a better job of local Columbus Coverage with major events then our local television stations. CNN was there the entire God Bless Fort Benning event with live coverage while Fox News mentioned God Bless Fort Benning Day several times including Fox and Friends. It just proves that the news media in this town is lazy and is as left as the day is long. I guarantee if the planners of this event gave the local news media a couple a thousand dollars in advertisments you'd see how patriotic they can be. So I'm assuming if you want the Ledger, News 3 and News Leader 9 to be patriotic for a day and ignore the protesters you better pay em up! How bout them apples junior?

Flight Of True Love

I had Shelly Hall on my show who has an incredible story written about her and her late husband Lt. Kelly D. Hall in the Military Extra. A publication you can pick up at Ft. Benning.


Take the time to read her story and I hope it touches your heart as we thank those who serve to keep us free during God Bless Ft. Benning Day.



Feel free to post your thoughts.

Flight of True Love
written by:
Maylinda Jane
November 2nd, 2006
www.militaryextra.com



Hello, I want to tell you a story that will seem like a fairy tale, but yet it is as real as real can be. The reason I said it would seem like a fairy tale is because of the love that is intertwined in this story. A love that so many people only dream about, or watch in the movies, yet it does exist. I will prove it to you and yes I do believe in love such as this. I waited at the back of the restaurant to meet a young lady by the name of Shelly Hall. A mutual friend had told me that I needed to meet her and listen to her story, it is heart felt and moving, one that should be shared. We had given each other a description of what we each would be wearing and what we looked liked but I knew who she was as soon as she walked through the door. She's very petite yet she stands so tall full of strength and motivated to move on with a new life, but always remembering and treasuring the life she has lived. I know you may think it's not possible to see something like that in a person when you first meet them, but I did and you will agree with me once I tell you this story.


Shelly and Kelly met at college in Muskegon, Michigan and immediately fell in love. Kelly had just finished his first tour with the army and was attending criminal justice classes. One evening they were watching the TV and saw the Panama Invasion with the 82nd Airborne Paratroopers landing. Shelly said that Kelly immediately voiced with such dedication in his voice, "I wish I could be there." She looked at him and said, "Follow your dream, I fully support you."
Their journey was just beginning; they decided to elope and were married January 11, 1990. Soon after voicing his dream, Kelly talked with a recruiter and within one week he was at the MEPS Station for testing and to re-enlist.



Kelly was sent to Fort Benning for AIT (Advanced Infantry Training) for three months. Shelly came down from Michigan to attend his "Turning Blue" ceremony and his graduation. During jump school they were able to be together, and after Kelly received his Jump Wings they were transferred to Fort Bragg. Kelly's unit 1/504th was one of the first units to be sent to Desert Storm. This was a difficult time for them because they had always been together, never separated from one another. When you saw Shelly there was Kelly, I mean their names sound alike, how could you not think of one and not the other. They were the couple that everyone envied; the aroma of their love was visible to everyone around them.




Kelly left for Desert Storm August 2nd and did not return home until April 8th. She said that it was the longest eight months of their lives, she wrote over THREE HUNDRED letters to Kelly, and he wrote TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY letters to his love Shelly. This does not include cassettes, faxes, and five phone calls which came to over $1,000.


Can you see now what I was trying to tell you about a love that is so undeniably visible, I mean most people don't write that many letters in their entire lifetime, and they wrote that many letters to each other in only EIGHT MONTHS!


I sat there writing as fast as I could, not wanting to miss one single syllable, not one word and yet I had to watch the expressions on her face as she unfolded this love story to me. She had so many different emotions during this time that she shared with me of her love, Kelly. She would be laughing, smiling and eyes wandering into the corners of her heart and soul pulling more of his memory out to share with me and I was sitting on the edge of my seat anticipating her every word. Tears flowed down her cheeks and even though this was the first time I had ever met her, I would never get to meet the man that had her heart captive even to this day. I could not keep back my tears for it was as if I could actually visualize their life before me like I was watching a movie.

Let me take you back to April 8th, Kelly's homecoming. They had to make a plan; they did not want to spend one more second apart so they put together their plan on how to find each other amidst a sea of people. Kelly would be coming home in the company of over 2,000 troops. There are three planes that are coming in at one time, each plane has 800 soldiers they are bringing home and two hearts that are seeking each other as soon as the plane touches ground.
Shelly told Kelly that she would be as far right as the MP'S would allow her to be and look for her there, she reminded him, Kelly as far right as I can be, find me. At 2:00 o'clock an MP told Shelly he was roping off an area and where she stood would be the furthest to the right that she would be allowed to go. She smiled and said, "Thank you, I'm not moving." This MP saw and knew that this woman was waiting for her soldier and she had told him how to find her, this MP I'm sure had been blessed for his kindness in helping Shelly to find her Kelly.


The planes are coming in; Shelly is the furthest person to the right. The planes land, doors open and soldiers are flowing out of the aircraft like a gentle flowing river rounds a bend, her eyes look up and there she sees him, he had spotted her immediately and was waving with smiles and love. As the soldiers lined up in formation with their units, Kelly never took his eyes off of Shelly. After what seemed an endless amount of time, they released the soldiers to find their anxious family members. There was total chaos and confusion within the crowd of soldiers as they tried to find their loved ones but not for Kelly and Shelly; their plan had worked. Kelly came running across the tarmac coming straight to his love. He picked her up, and they danced in a twirling ring of hugs, kisses, joy, true passionate love that they have always shared, they again were one. Two months later, a baby is on its way.


They had a homecoming celebration, talked about career changes and put a packet in for flight school. Kelly's first packet was denied, he was disappointed and said, "I'm done," and was ready to move to something else. Shelly said "Put the packet in again I know you can do it, you're not done." Kelly did put a second packet in and this one was approved.


February 1992 Tyler Elizabeth Storm Hall was born she was their Desert Storm Baby. I kind of looked at Shelly like, what does that mean, she smiled and said there was a huge baby boom after Desert Storm and then I understood what she had said.



Kelly went to Fort Rucker for Warrant Officer Candidate School and Shelly and Tyler went to Michigan to stay with her parents until Kelly's graduation in December. After graduation the family was together again at Fort Rucker while Kelly attended flight school. In July 1993 Tori was born. Soon Kelly left for Honduras and Shelly went to her parent's house in Michigan. Little Tricia was born September of 1994, Kelly just made it home for her birth, then the whole family was back together again and was transferred to Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia.


Kelly's unit was the 224 MI. He flew Huey helicopters until he went to Fixed Wing School at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Upon return of Fixed Wing School, Tony was born in March 1996. When Kelly came back to Savannah to HAAF (Hunter Army AirField) Tanner was born November of 1997.


By this time Kelly was a CW2 (Chief Warrant Officer 2) and had decided to put a packet in for Officer Candidate School and was accepted and left February 1998 for Fort Benning, Georgia. Shelly and the children would travel driving ten hours round trip to spend sometimes only three to four hours with each other and their children. Even though the time traveled to spend time with each other made for a long trip for this mother and her five children, it was more than worth the time that they shared during their short visits. Their love was so strong, so devoted and they supported each other with an unwavering love that gives you chill bumps listening to her talk of this wonderful life they shared.


Shelly sat back for a moment and took in a deep breath, she said there is so much I want to tell you! I myself had to sit back and take a deep breath for myself and rub the cramp out of my writing hand. I told her don't worry, take your time I want to know the whole story and she smiled and then she talked, and I listened.

She said that one night she was sleeping soundly, and for whatever reason she woke up and Kelly was up on his elbows watching her sleep. She said, "What are you doing," and he said "Watching you sleep, you are so beautiful." She takes another deep breath and tells me more.


Shelly said that the stress of their move to Germany and that one of their children was recovering from surgery was pulling at both their emotions. They were living in German housing, on the third floor and she was looking for a particular box. She asked Kelly were did he put the box’s and he replied in the basement. There were words and verbal remarks that we all are guilty of saying back and forth between them and it was basically just a little tiff.

They always had a rule, don’t go to bed mad at one another, but this night I suppose the stress and physical weariness of moving had gotten the best of them both, and they did go to sleep angry at one another. The next morning, Shelly woke up and saw Kelly dressed in his uniform getting ready to walk out the door to work. Their eyes met and he turned, walked out the door to be the soldier that he has always loved being. The door closes and he is gone, then it opens and Kelly walks over to Shelly, took off the uniform and got into bed held his wife and gave her kisses and words of love that they could never deny or forget despite a silly little tiff the night before.

Kelly redressed for work turned to Shelly and said “I kissed all the kids and I want to tell you one more time I LOVE YOU. Shelly’s tears flowing down her cheek, mine right behind hers looked at me and said, Kelly never went to fly when they were angry with one another, they always made things right before he left the ground.

Shelly had to take the kids to the dentist and Kelly was going to meet her so that he could help her with their small team of soldiers. Let me remind you they have a six year old, five year old, four year old, two year old and last but certainly not least an 11 month old. I immediately understood her frustration, because I had what you call DOORSTEPS, and it can be exhausting and frustration trying to keep them all happy and in line.

Kelly did not show for the dentist appointment, Shelly could not believe that he did not make it and after hours wondering where he was, she drove to the flight line and there she saw his car parked in his regular spot. She knew that Kelly was doing a check out ride at 0700 that would not last more than an hour, he should have been back hours ago. She then pulled her car beside Kelly’s vehicle by the flight line and grabbed two soldiers and escorted them to the vehicle with all the kids and said “Watch my children, I will be right back”.

Shelly marched up to the Flight Operations with a stern stride in her step. She approached a CW3 (Chief Warrant Officer 3) who was talking on the phone and before she could get one word out of her mouth, his hand was stiff, palm open in the air and hushes her immediately. The CW3 stated “Safety Team to arrive….” and Shelly knew immediately there had been a serious accident or crash. The man looked at her and said, “Who are you”, she replied “I’m Mrs. Hall”, and she watched the color drain from this man’s face in a brief but slow motion moment. Shelly asked “Survivors or not?”

The phone rang, Shelly wiped her tears from her face and said hello, and it was one of her children. I sat up straight and looked through my tears at this amazing woman and reached for a shriveling napkin that had been assisting me with my tears but was too far-gone to do any good. She said I have to pick my kids up from school, and I’m not finished yet, there’s so much more I want to tell you.

I told Shelly, don’t you worry, I am going to hear the rest of your story, and so will everyone else. Would you mind if we did a continuation in the next publication of the Military Extra? She smiled and as we walked outside I told her what a blessing she has been, we hugged each other and will meet to continue her story sometime next week.

TV Nazi

TV Nazi

Ok so I go to Smokey Bones last night to get what I consider the best ribs in town. I sit at the bar and when Britt Hume on FOX NEWS is over I ask the bartender if he would mind turning it to TNT. Keep in mind I am the ONLY person at the bar and the only one watching this particular TV. He ask "What's on TNT?" I tell him Law and Order. He says "Oh no it stays on News and Sports." So I let it go and place my order. I sit there and eat and the whole time the ribs aren't the only thing getting eaten. My nerves are getting gnawed on too. The more I think about it the more ticked off I get. So here comes the bill. You know they have a spot on them where you put the tip. Well, I left the TV Nazi a 25 cent tip and a piece of my mind. I write an arrow to where it says TIP and leave this pleasant little note 'Thanks for leaving it on news and sports.' I then added this extra piece of advice "CUSTOMERS FIRST". Now do you agree with me or do you think I am acting like a child who got his favorite toy taken away? If you think it was childish by all means rip me a new one. I love torture.

God Bless Fort Benning

GOD BLESS FORT BENNING is coming this Saturday from 12-6 with a hockey game to follow Cottonmouths vs. Pee Dee Cyclones.We gave out 1500 tickets to soldiers and their families.It should be a great game. Please come out and show your support for our troops ad their families. You have never seen a group more appreciative of community support than the military and their loved ones. These guys fight for your freedom everyday whether it is by picking up a weapon, training to do so or one of the various other jobs they do so well and with complete dedication. They are what makes America and our community so great. If you think you don't have time think twice and ask yourself "Where would we be without them?" Scary thought. Also the Bama/Auburn game is not an excuse we will be playing it on a screen that anybody would envy so you won't be missing a thing. Please come out and show your support

Hotlanta

Long Haul Tour

ATLANTA BLOG:
The Long Haul Tour featuring Brooks and Dunn, Sugarland and Jack Ingram was not to be missed.
It may have been a little chilly for an outdoor concert but Jack Ingram warmed you right up with his unique show. What a great guy. You will not find many people more appreciative of his fans. When he finished his awesome hour on stage he invited anyone who wanted to meet him to come to the left of the stage and "I will sign whatever you want me to". I haven't seen a bunch of women move that fast since they announced 50% off all Women's Apparel at Dillard's. His record rep said he may be releasing a remake of "Lips of an Angel" as his next single. He performed it at the concert and it was excellent. Check him out on his My Space: www.myspace.com/jackingram
Sugarland-WOW!!! Jennifer Nettles is not only gorgeous but has one of the most powerful voices in country music. She, Christian and the whole crew are true talent. Every song they perform is full of life and meaning to them and to their fans. For those of you who don't know they started off as an Atlanta Bar Band. What a long way they have come and they will only be going up from here. You have to get their new album Enjoy the Ride-and that is exactly what they are doing.
Brooks and Dunn-Well what can you say they are Brooks and Dunn-the Rolling Stones of the Country Music world. When they performed Neon Moon they had a huge background with a full moon which set as the song ended-very cool. I am really hoping that the fan who got his Cell Phone confiscated by Kix Brooks got it back. The man was calling his daughter Meredith when Kix was talking and Kix took his cell and asked who it was the gentleman told him his daughter Meredith. Kix picked up the phone and said "Meredith" paused "No it's not Dad. It's Kix Brooks. Dad is sitting with some lady in a dog collar and drinking a 40 ounce beer. Does he do things like that often?"
After a little more conversation he said "I don't care what kind of minutes Dad has but Meredith you get to listen to the whole show now-Enjoy." He sat Meredith in a place of honor on stage and continued on with the show. So if you get the chance to get front row at a Brooks and Dunn concert by all means go and enjoy it but you may want to leave the cell phone out of Kix line of sight.
Ronnie Dunn is a true performer and leaves no doubt about why they are so huge and have won so many awards in their career.
Pictures will be on the site soon

CMT Tour

Trace Adkins CMT Tour
If you missed the CMT tour show you missed a great one.
It was the most fun you can have in the Valley on a Thursday without getting arrested
Everything got kicked off around 4:30 when listeners started lining up to win backstage passes.
They went bobbing for them in a hot tub generously provided by Leisure Lifestyles
Columbus Store 5880 Veterans Parkway Columbus, GA. 706-322-2411
Auburn Store 2459 E. Glenn Ave Auburn, Alabama 334-501-5200

We have pictures in our photo gallery. www.kissin993.com
Nobody walked away a loser from this one.
We gave away tons of Cd's and other prizes.
It took guts to dip in since it was really cold and windy outside.
The show itself was really awesome.
Jason Aldean really got the crowd fired up with some of his hits and even put a little rock in the mix. It is really cool to see a Georgia boy doing so well.
Billy Currington (another Georgia Boy) puts on what one fan called the "Sexiest Show on Earth". He also went into some rock with a raunchy rendition of AC/DCs "You Shook Me All Night Long". Just goes to prove what a crossover country music is. You know it for sure when you hear people playing rap in the parking lot.
Trace Adkins , all 6'6" of him, has that distinctive voice that puts his stamp on every song he does. There was hardly a dry eye in the place when he dedicated "Arlington" to our troops. He even encouraged everyone to make sure that they got out and voted and added not to listen to him or any "celebrity" about who to vote for. He is a very genuine guy who loves what he does and cares about his fans.
If you get the chance to see any of these men in concert do yourself a favor-GO.
You will have a great time and really enjoy yourself.

VERSUS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_P-aYADTkw

We had a very lively discussion this morning didn't we? If you haven't seen the reaction of Faith Hill when Carrie Underwood wins the Female Vocalist of the year, we have it on You Tube. Click on the Above link to see.

Here's Wild Bill's prediction. Faith Hill is going to say it was something else that caused her to react the way she did.

One listener blamed it on a cramp. Gotta love it!

Please Post your comments.

Sad Day For Dogs :(

Here's a letter I recieved from an Ohio State Fan. Take a read and post your comments.

Wild Bill,

It’s time Georgia fans wake up and smell the doggy doo. Your question this morning. What will it take for your favorite team to beat the Florida Gators. I’m a transplanted Yankee like yourself and I’m a Ohio State fan but follow SEC football quite religiously. Georgia does not have a chance and I’ll tell you why. Georgia’s defense stinks and their offense is worse. Future loses to FL, AU and GT are only weeks away, and on top of that Coach Mark Richt doesn’t have a clue. Mark Richt’s game calling is far too conservative. This team looked like it did not even leave the locker room for the 2nd half against Tennessee. No adjustments, poor tackling, and pitiful play calling killed them. Where was Lumpkin in the 2nd half? The defense was exhausted at the end. No wonder they gave up all those points! when Uga went up 24-7 on Tennessee Richt went COMPLETELY conservative in play calling, like the game was already over. Like they had won the game in the 2nd quarter. Anyone who understands football saw it happen. Mark it down- UGA will NEVER win a national championship as long as Richt is coach! NO killer instinct!

This year’s Georgia team is young and not as good as it has been the last 4 or 5 years. It’s a rebuilding year.. They did not play like a Top 10 team against Tennesee— nor did they against Colorado and Ole Miss. And with the exception of Vandy, Miss State and Kentucky, they have Auburn and Florida to look forward to BEFORE they play GT, OUCH

UGA is also hurting because they no longer have David Greene to bail them out, or Shockley for that matter. For what it’s worth that’s my two cents.


Steve from Phenix City

BARNEY CONTEST STORIES!!!!!

THANKS EVERYONE WHO ENTERED THE EMAIL CONTEST FOR BARNEY TICKETS AND BACKSTAGE PASSES. THE CUTEST OR CRAZIEST THING YOUR PRE-SCHOOLER HAS EVER DONE OR SAID!!!!

I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE STORIES AND FEEL FREE TO POST ADDITIONAL STORIES








"First off, let me say that I have the smartest and most grown acting child ever! Charity turned 3 years old on April 4. She has been talking good since she was 10 months old. Whenever we are around people I am always on edge because I am not sure what she will say next. She uses phrases just out of the blue like “this is ridiculous” and “this makes me aggravated” and it is hilarious. She has facial expressions and all to go along with it. Her favorite character of all is Barney. She knows all of the Barney songs. The most recent song she has learned off of Barney is Old Dan Tucker. I heard her singing the song but I had not paid close attention to the words she was using. So when we got to Maw Maw’s house I told my mom, she can sing Old Dan Tucker. So Charity started singing. She says “Old damn sucker was a fine old man…” Just as plain as anything. We looked at each other and covered our mouths. I said, “Charity, sing it right.” She then says, “Old Damn _______” (She replaced the T in Tucker with an F.) We couldn’t help but to turn our heads away from her and just laugh!!! The weird thing is, She has never ever heard the F word and we don’t use the D word, so it was just an honest mistake, but a funny one that I will never forget!!!

Julie, Columbus Winner 09-26-06

Winner Monday, September 25th, 2006

Hi Wild Bill! I heard about your funny preschool story contest and wanted to tell you about my son's adventure! One day over the summer, the kids and I had come inside from out at the pool. My 3 year old son was sent to his room to get changed from his swimsuit into dry clothes. He had been in his room for about 10 minutes when he emerged with a surprise! Instead of getting dressed, he had discovered a new way to carry his plastic pliers from his tool belt...yep, he was proudly dangling them from his 'little boyhood'! He called, "Mom, look what I can do!" My surprised reply was, "Oh Buddy, doesn't that hurt"(as I tried to stifle a laugh)..."No, but it pinches a little", he replied. "I think I'll put them back in my tool belt". Not before I could snap a picture 'for posterity'! Ps. Dylan LOVES Barney, and promises to leave his tool belt at home!

Donna Potteiger, Ellerslie, GA

Winner Tuesday September 26th, 2006

My entry for the Barney tickets...

My son is four years old and has reached the age I have heard many other mom's talk about- the age where their innocence can create many incredibly embarrassing moments for their parents. The one that sticks out in my mind is the Wal-Mart incident...

Not to sound conceited, but I have a very attractive 4-year old son. I often hear, "What a handsome young man, etc" from perfect strangers- particularly from elderly men. As we stood in Wal-Mart one day, one of these elderly men walked up to our buggy and made this same comment. He then precedes to ask my son if he would like to come home with him, etc. The man was just making friendly conversation. As the man is talking, my son notices that he is missing probably half of his teeth and the ones that are left are terribly stained and broken. So in response to the man's friendliness, my son looks up at him as innocent and serious as can be and says really loudly (so everyone around can hear), "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU TEETH?" Mortally embarrassed, I stand there with my eyes as big as gold balls waiting for the man's response. Instead of simply walking away the man answers, "Yeah, they're pretty messed up. I should go ahead and pull them all out, huh?" My son turns to me with a confused look and the man turns and walks away. To this day I wonder what the nice old man must have been thinking after the incident. This is a day I will definitely never forget.


Andrea George, Box Springs, GA

Winner Wednesday September 27th, 2006

"Hello I have an 18 month old little boy that is in to everything. The other day I told my daughter which is 11 to go and bath her stinking dog which is a 3 pound yorkie-poo. I was sitting on the couch watching tv and I heard the dog crying and making a lot of noise. I jumped up and ran down the hall to find out where she was and my little boy had her in the toliet bowl saying bath. He had my lotion open and pouring it on the dog. I couldn't get mad at him cause he was trying. All I could do was laugh. Poor dog was soaked."

Kelly Strothers, Columbus,

Winner Thursday, September 28th 2006

Wild Bill

I have a 3 year old little boy that LOVES Barney and really needs to go to the concert so Barney can help teach him good manners and to help him understand that little girls always go first.

My son Avery really needs Barney’s help. Let me first start off by saying that we try our best at home to teach him good manners, to share, and that girls are always first and that’s just the way it is. Well, my child continues to insist that boys always go first. Avery’s maw-maw watches him during the week along with his three year old little girl cousin. Avery tries to be very controlling to her and insists that he is the boss and wants to always be first at everything. Everything that she wants to play with, he suddenly has the desire to play with it more. Even if it’s a baby doll, he’ll try and take that away from her. When they’re playing house and she says she’s the mommy, Avery tells her “no, I’m the mommy and you’re the daddy”. I’m sure you can imagine by now how chaotic it must be for maw-maw. I can’t believe she hasn’t quit on me already. Anyway, he is very dominating and jealous of his little cousin and seems to always be in a competition. What is it about boys and competing? From getting his hands on a toy first, finishing meals first, buckling in seatbelts when they go somewhere first, going outside to play first, hugging maw-maw first, and even going down for a nap first(which maw-maw appreciates). The list goes on and on as you can imagine.

However, there is one other thing that I have got to break him from…..competing for the potty.

Yep, as soon as his little cousin decides to go potty guess who’s racing right behind her in a rage because he wants to get to the potty first shouting “boy’s first, boys first! She can be sitting on the potty in the middle of taking care of her business and that doesn’t stop the bully. He drops his pants and aims it right between her legs into the toilet, and shouts, “boys first, boys first, I beat you”. And he usually does. I don’t know why he acts like this towards her but it has got to stop. He’s even pushed her off of the toilet before. And yes, maw-maw steps in on most of these incidents but not without hearing Avery screaming and shouting “boys first, boys first, I beat you, I beat you.” I would love to win these Barney tickets for my son so Barney can hopefully teach him good manners and to share and that girls ARE always first. Maybe he’ll listen to Barney.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. It’s all true and I could go on and on with examples of my child’s ‘boys first’ attitude, but I’ll stop for now.

Have a great day!

Shannon Robinson,

Winner Friday September 29th, 2006

"WE HAVE A LITTLE BOY HE JUST TURNED THREE ON AUGUST 31ST, HE'S BEEN TALKING A WHILE AND ALWAYS VOICES THE THINGS HE DOES OR DOSN'T WANT , OR LIKES AND DISLIKES, THEY SEEM TO LEARN THIS FAST. ONE OF HIS FAVORITE FOODS IS CHICKEN AND FRIES, HE CALLS THEM CHICKIE-FRIES. EVERY TIME WE GO THROUGH A DRIVE THRU HE'S HOWLING IN THE BACKGROUND, CHICKIE-FRIES LADY, ANDERSON WANTS CHICKIE-FRIES. MY DAUGHTER BOWLS ON A BOWLING LEAQUE ON SATURDAY MORNINGS, ONE SATURDAY A FEW MONTHS AGO, WHEN ANDERSON WAS ABOUT 2 1/2,HE GOES UP TO THE SNACK COUNTER AT THE BOWLING ALLEY, STANDING ON HIS TIP TOES HE'S YELLING AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS ,"HEY LADY, HEY LADY ANDERSON NEEDS CHICKIE-FRIES". I GO AND GET HIM AND I APOLOGIZE TO THE LADY THATS WORKING, AND TAKE HIM OVER TO WATCH HIS SISTER BOWL. I TURN AROUND TO TELL MY DAUGHTER GOOD JOB ON HER BOWLING AND SHES DOING GREAT, I LOOK BACK FOR HIM AND DON'T SEE HIM, I HEAR SOMEONE SAYING NO! NO! BRING THAT BACK, I LOOK IN THE DIRESTIONS OF THE SNACK BAR AND THERES MY LITTLE GUY, HE HAS HELPED HIS SELF TO A PLATE THAT WAS ON THE COUNTER, BEFORE I COULD GET TO HIM , HE TURNS AROUND AND SAYS IN HIS CUTE LITTLE BOY VOICE "THANK YOU LADY, ANDERSON NEEDS SOME CHICKIE-FRIES". OF COURSE THEY WE'RE SOME ELSES, THE LADY AT THE COUNTER LOOKS AT ME A SAYS I THINK HE GOT HIS CHICKEN AND FRIES. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAD TO PAY FOR THEM, YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT I NEVER FED HIM AND I'M SURE THATS WHAT EVERYONE STANDING AROUND THOUGHT ALSO.THANK YOU FOR READING IT.

LORI HARREL AND ANDERSON."

"Hello!

My daughter is 19 months old and a trouble maker, but at the same time she is a very friendly child. She says hello to everyone. Well, she goes to work with my everyday, and for the past two days we had a computer tech in the office putting in a new system. The first day, she told him hey, he say hey and she was fine. Well, yesterday we go into work, she says hello, and he was busy working and ignored her, she repeated herself and he did the same thing, by this time she is very upset. She walks up to him (which by the way he is squated down opening a box) and shw yells " Hey MAN" and hits him right between the legs. No need to tell you from then on when she said hey, he quickly replied hey! I was mad at her but all I could do was laugh."



Ashley Cummings, Columbus GA

AS MOST PARENTS I AM PARTIAL TO ALL MY CHILDREN. MY OLDEST BEING 15, MY MIDDLE CHILD BEING 11,

AND THEN OF COURSE MY BABY BEING 3 (GOING ON 30). WE NEVER KNOW WHAT SHE IS GOING TO SAY OR DO ATANY GIVEN MOMENT SO TO SAY SHE KEEPS US ON OUR TOES IS TO PUT IT MILDLY. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO
WE WERE GETTING READY TO GO SWIMMING. I TOLD AVERI TO GET UNDRESSED SO I COULD PUT HER SWIMSUIT ON HER SO WE COULD GO, SHE PRECEDED TO DO AS I HAD TOLD HER TO BUT BEFORE I COULD GET HER COMPLETELY UNDRESSED AND INTO HER SUIT SHE LOOKED AT HER DADDY AND SAID….”CLOSE YOUR EYES DADDY CAUSE THIS AIN’T GONNA BE PRETTY!!!”

ASHLEY CANTRELL

Good morning Wild Bill...

My 18 month old son Hunter has discovered his turkey and want keep his diaper on. We have been trying to potty train him. A few weeks ago I was in the laundry room washing clothes and Hunter comes in there holding a diaper in his hand. I took it from him and told him to stay out of the trash can. I went back to the couch and started watching TV. Hunter was playing by the entertainment center and I noticed him kissing and licking the bottom shelf of the entertainment center. I thought he could see his reflection through the glass on the shelf. I tried to get him to give me a kiss but he wouldn't come to me. I thought he was just playing. His older sister was coming down the hall and slipped. She said, "Mom there is water in the floor and it smells." I then thought maybe Hunter has got a hold of someone drink and spilled it. As I was getting up Hunter is walking towards me and slip and falls with his legs spreaded wide open. All I could see was his turkey shinning up under his long wet Barney T-shirt. Come to find out he has pee peed on the bottom of my entertainment center and floor. His hair, face and shirt was soaked.

He is getting better with his training. Monday night I was getting onto the dog for peeing on the floor and not her pee mats. Hunter was watching as I was cleaning up the mess and fussing at the dog. I put Hunter in the tub and when I got him out, he took off running as I was trying to get myself dressed. I walked into the living room and he was standing on the dogs pee mat peeing. I couldn't get mad at him cause at least he got on the mat instead of my floor. He kept saying ook ook mom while he was clapping. He is all BOY.

Thank You,
Kelly From Phenix City

PS I promise to duck tape Hunter diaper so he want pee on ARNEY. That's what Hunter calls Barney.

Hello Wild Bill,

so here goes my story: When I moved here in this summer, my 2yr old son and I decided to go to the pool and while I was talking to another mom with another 2yr old, we let them play together to discover that they had undressed themselves seconds later and were running around in their "Adam's Suit" while an employee from the Apartment Complex came and advised us, that our children would not be allowed naked on this property, so while the other Mom and I were chasing our naked boys around the pool and even that employee tried to catch them (believe it or not: 2 yr olds reach an amazing speed when you can't run because you're laughing so hard at 2 little naked booties being chased by 3 adults). Finally we got their shorts back on and they were only allowed 2 feet away from us in order for us not get arrested for Indecent Exposure ;-) Hope that made you laugh and if we win tickets, I'll promise to put suspenders on my son's pants so he can't take them off while we're visiting Barney.

Have a nice day

Mandy Mayer

My daughter is only 20 months old and doesn't talk much butI relate my hasband as my child too, so this story is about him and my daughter. This summer we took a trip to the beach, you know how every time you go to the beach you see people out there with metal detectors finding money and things? Well, my husband and his friend thought it would be soooo funny to throw change in the sand and watch how excited this ( not to mention elderly man) would get. So they did it but not only them they decide to put my 18 month old daughter and his 16 month old son up to it too. So you have 4 kids throwing money in the sand and sitting back and watching a older man find it and they laughed so hard. It was a situation where I turned my head but was dying laughing too. So we would love to take those kids to see Barney. Thanks!

Ashley Cummings
Columbus Georgia

When I was about 5 years old my mother got on to me for picking my nose. She told me to stop and my response was that I had to pick my boogie's so I could plant it in the ground to grow a boogie man. She did not know where I got that from, but she still kids me about it today (31 years later). Now you know where Boogy men come from.

Thanks!

Joel Wells Johnston

Howdy Wild Bill!

Thought I'd share a story with you from my little guy. He's 2 years old. Seems that a few weeks ago we had a 'visitor' of the lizard variety (actually, I think they're called skinks, but I'm not sure....) in our master bedroom. I had seen it earlier in the day and tried unsuccessfully to wrangle the thing out of there, but it went under the dresser and refused to budge. So, I left it to rot.

Later on, I walked into the bedroom to get something, and came face to foot with the little bugger (his face, my feet). He was just making his way out from under the bed and we had a staring contest for a second or two. I called my son, Ben, in there to see it. Of course, Ben runs straight toward it, causing said lizard/skink to high-tail it back under the bed. Well, great.

Not easily offended, Ben got down on his hands and knees, pulled up the bed skirt and said, " Wizzard!! Where ARE jew???". Then, "Wizzard!! COMMEEERRRE!!!". Had I not recently emptied my bladder, I probably would have at that point..... I just wish we'd had a camera taping at that time....mighta won something on America's Funniest Home Videos!

Never caught the wizzard, by the way.
Just thought I'd share, whether you use it or not. Have a great day!

Teri Grant (and Ben Grant ~ and the wizzard, bless his soul), Midland GA

"I have a little boy that will be 2 tomorrow(Sunday the 24th). He does alot of funny and cute things, but one stands out among the rest. Well here is his cute story. Caleb and me(mommy) were in our backyard, Caleb was playing while I was doing yard work and cleaning up. He was doing the usually things like playing with rocks and running around with our 2 boston terrier dogs. I saw him sitting in the grass playing with rocks and didnot think anything about it until he called for me. And from a little distance I saw him holding up something for me and thought oh he is giving me his rocks. Well when I went over to him I realized it was not rocks he was holding, it was dried dog poop. He had a piece in each hand. He was happy as can be and didnot think anything was wrong. I grabbed my camera and took a picture. And then I took him and immediately washed his hands and told him that was gross. I think this story is funny and cute. I even have pictures to prove it. I hope that you pick our story so Caleb and I can go see Barney. He loves Barney so much, and it would really make his 2nd Birthday really special. "

Thank you,

Tiffany Jaros

Mother of Caleb

Dear Wild Bill,

"Lets hope that this story is funny enough to get my son tickets to see Barney Live. My two and a half year old son and I were out running errands last week and I smelled something that made me think that he had gone potty in his diaper. We are trying to potty train, so I asked him if he had gone poo-poo. He looks at me and says "not yet". I smile because I think that is too cute and we move toward the checkout. He turns to me grabs my arm and screams as loud as he can " I said I didn't go poo-poo yet mommy". Mortified I didn't know whether to ignore him or walk the other way. There were about a dozen people in line and I am bright red and pretending that I have things under control. I am finally at the register and he turns to the lady and smiles at her and says "I didn't go poo-poo yet". Obviously a woman with no personality, she didn't blink and ignored him. Since she ignored him, he turns and tells every person either walking by or near him that he had not gone poo-poo yet and he goes potty on the big potty. He turns around to me and I can barely look at the people around me and says "I went poo-poo now mommy. I'm stinky" I had about 10 people laughing at me as I walk away from that store. I think it will be a long time before I can show my face there. I am sure that everyone knows when and where my child uses the bathroom now. To make the story even funnier is when I got home I told my husband what had happened and my husband asked him "did you potty in your diaper?" My son looks at my husband points his finger at the television and says "watch TV daddy, I'm not stinky" Oh the joys of parenthood. Hope you enjoyed the story."

Have a good one,

Erica Wagner

Hey Wild Bill,

"My name is Debbie Khoury and my 3 year old daughter is Samantha. We listen to you every morning and love your show! You do a great job of waking me up in a great mood and for that my whole family is grateful. Here is my story:

As I entered my fourth and final pregnancy, I thought I was prepared for all the physical changes pregnant women experience. However, this time I developed new growth of fine, downy-like hair along my arms, tummy, and a little on my face. I thought it wasn't very noticable to anyone else, until one day as I strapped my 3 year old into her car seat and the sun glinted off the hair, she announced, "Mommy-you have feathers!" I guess it WAS noticable after all!""

Thanks!
Debbie Khoury

Hey Wild Bill,

I hope this is crazy enough to win. My daughter once cut her hair and then she tried to put it back together with bandaides I was brushing her hair when I found all of them there.

Thanks,

Jana Duke

When we moved here last year i didn't realize how big college football was here. We were walking in the mall one day just so happens LSU was playing Georgia on that day. My son was wearing his LSU outfits and an adult walked up to him and told him he was wearing the wrong clothes and he needed a Georgia outfit. Then he stated barking. I was just in shock that and adult would say something like that to a three year old. But my son stood his ground and stuck his hand in the guys face and said GO LSU and walked around the guy. We just stood there and laughed. It was one of the funniest thing I had ever seen because the guys looked so shocked. My son was so proud of him self he couldn't wait to get home to call and tell his Paw Paw what he had said.


Sincerely,
Megan Palermo

Hey, Wild Bill!!

I wanted to tell you about a funny thing that my three children did…I have a 3 year old little boy and 17 month old twin boys. One morning I was doing laundry and the boys were playing in the play room, or so I thought. When I realized that things were VERY quiet, I started through the house to find them. As I rounded the corner, I heard giggles, which any mom knows means big trouble…Much to my surprise (which really shouldn’t surprise me anymore…) my three boys were lined up in a row sitting inside my fireplace! They had gotten through the screen and were all sitting there grinning from ear to ear, faces covered in black soot. The only white that you could see were their eyes and the few teeth that the twins had…I couldn’t help but laugh!!

Hope you got a laugh out of it… we sure did!

Kim Webb

My son's name is Trey, I could tell you stories all day long that would make you laugh.
anyway, the one thing that sticks out in my mind, is when he was in kindergarden. The principal calls me at work, 2nd day of school year mind you. Please come and pick your child up, he is suspendid for 3 days. What in the world did he do I ask, He tells me you will see when you get here.
Apparently, Trey did not raise his hand to ask a question, The teacher said that he had to sit at his desk, while the other children gathered in a circle on the carpet for storytime. The teacher must have really not been paying attention, because just as each child went back to sit in their desks, they all felt something very wet, Trey had taken elmers glue, and put a large amount in each seat, when I got to his classroom, all the kids were showing me their
pants with the big glue spot, look at what Trey did, they said, I was trying so hard not to laugh, However it was very funny, and elmers glue did not ruin their clothes or hurt anyone, but I had to act upset with him for doing that. anyway just thought I would share that with you.

Thanks

Kelly Wade

One summer evening, Madison and her Grandmother were sitting outside watching the sun go down. They talked about bugs and trees and the colors of the changing sky.



Madison starred up into the sky as the sun started to disappear and the moon began to slowly appear.
“Wake up puddy moon” Madison said.


Grandmother saw that Madison was thinking really hard about something as she looked up at the moon. “What are you thinking about?” asked Grandmother.


Madison asked “Do you have a big, big, big, big, big ,big, big, big big, ladder so I can go get that puddy moon and play with it?” Every time Madison said “big, big, big” she stretched her arms out as far back as they could go and she studied the moon.



“No”, said Grandmother,” I do not have a ladder that tall.” Then she explained to Madison that the
Moon was very far away. “Then I will go ask Grandfather” said Madison .

So she went inside the house. Grandfather was watching a baseball game on t.v. Madison asked
“Grandfather, do you have a big, big,big,big,big,
ladder so I go up to the moon? I want to play with that puddy moon.”” Grandfather laughed and said “No, I don’t have a ladder that big.” Madison said
“You aren’t supposed to laugh at little girls when they have good ideas.”


Then Madison crossed her arms over her chest and said” Well, I’ll just pray about this then!” and she did.
Madison put her hands together and closed her eyes and said
“Dear God, Please, please ,please take that puddy moon down and let me play with it. Thank you. Amen”
Then she went to play.


Grandfather and Grandmother wondered what to say to Madison because they knew that God would
not take the moon down for her. Grandmother said” She really believes that God is going to give her the moon, I hope she will forget about this idea.”


Soon Madison ’s’ Mommie came to pick her up. When Madison went outside to go to the car, the sky was dark. There was no moon in sight. Madison looked all around in the dark yard. “Where is it?” she asked?” and she ran to look behind the house.

She did not find the moon. Where had it gone? A cloud had come across the night sky and covered the moon, but only for a little while. Soon she could see that the moon was still in the sky. “Oh man!” Madison said, “God didn’t hear me pray!”



Grandmother told Madison that God always hears our prayers and He always answers them. “He didn’t let me play with that puddy moon” said Madison sadly. Grandmother knew that Madison was disappointed so she hugged her and told her that God wants us to share the beautiful moon with the whole world. People all over the world can look up at the night sky and see how glorious the moon is. God made the moon for everyone!


Then Madison suddenly understood. Grandmother told Madison that when she was a little girl, her Grandmother would take her outside to watch the sun go down. She and her Grandmother would wait to see the moon together too. Then she told Madison that she and her Grandmother would say these special words together.

“I see the moon and the moon sees me! God bless the moon and God bless me!”
Madison laughed because she had never thought about her Grandmother being a little girl and having a Grandmother too. “You had a Grandmother too?” she asked “Yes, I did!” said Grandmother and she loved me almost as much as
I love you!”

The End

Written by Rebecca Harris

Copywritten August 15th, 2006