"A Letter From A Soldier"

"A Letter From A Soldier"
Author: Jared Batchelor

I fight for you everyday
For your safety and freedom far, far away
Everyday I fear that it may be my last
Looking at what was important to me in the past

I choose this life, to fight
For your freedom, your eternal right
It gets lonely out in this far distant land
I have nothing but my gun and boots full of sand

I pray to Jesus each and every night
That he may shield me from this next fight
I live each day with fear of death
I never know when it will be my last breath

"Lets Move Out" says my captain
Always worried about what will happen
I get my gear and my gun
I ask myself "How much more, before this is done?"

Bullets and RPG's zooming past my head
I cant help but fear soon I will be dead
Each and every second of life i cherish
Because I never know when I will perish

A sound of gun shots all around
Bodies of young soldiers is all to be found
Bombs shattering the buildings apart
Mirror the pieces that are also my heart

Every dying soldier causes me to tremble
All the soldiers will start to assemble
The greatest gift I can give
Is to lay down my life so someone else may live

All those young men who did not come home
Also left their family and children all alone
I'm here safe and sound
Now with my family on my own ground

I pray for my fellow soldiers everyday
I ask the lord to reward them for what they had to pay
Show mercy to all those who fell
"lord, they have served their time in hell"

I write this letter to you and to all
To tell you about myself and those who answered the call
Together we will get it done, we America....
Are an army of one.

Great Military Spouse groups, websites and forums

I would like to share fabulous online military spouse groups that I've been so fortunate to be apart of. It is so nice to feel like you are not alone and we have so much fun discussing the pros and cons of military life, deployment, our soldiers and more. The groups are great and have really given me some light on many things; it is nice to meet other ladies; even if they are stationed in Germany or I find out they're local. Thank gosh for the internet! Here are some great military groups, forms and websites dedicated for the spouses; and some for the girlfriends or fiances :)


http://www.milspouse.com/     *This one is fab because they have a newsletter that I get via email approximately weekly, a forum that is somewhat active...but best of all a military spouse magazine; which is super cool because you can get it online if you're a "green gal" or you can get it via mail, of course. Really neat to know there's a magazine dedicated to us "mil spouses." One of my favorite features it Brittany Barlow's deployment diaries; I've talked to her on twitter and facebook; and thanked her so much for those weekly videos she makes, she is such a doll! Really nice to know she dedicates her time to give us some ideas, tips and comfort during deployments.

http://www.militaryspousesupport.net/     

http://www.militarysos.com/

http://cinchouse.com/Hubs/tabid/90/Default.aspx

http://spousebuzz.com/blog/2010/12/online-groups-for-military-spouses.html

https://www.militaryonesource.com/    Oldie but goodie - More of a "resource" site in my opinion.

Military Discounts

Who loves a good discount? ME! ME! Me! Allow me to be your Military discounts headquarters!

Planning a vacation with your family? Use Sandals! They offer a military discount. As far as cell phones; I've found Sprint is the best being they offer internationally texting for just $10 extra per month; great for deployed spouses...not to mention you still get a discount on services. T-Mobile also offer military discount.
Tell your husbands to Mention code 081 at fromyouflowers.com the next time he wants to send you flowers for a great occassion; they offer military 25% off reg. prices flowers and gifts.I will update these as I get new info in. Of course it's best to always check before you visit these places or call to make sure they're discount is still active.

Here are some that I know of, and ladies here have shared:

•Aeropostale- 10%
•AT&T: 15%
•Autozone: 10%
•Bass Pro Shops-10%
•Best Buy: 10%
•Charlotte Russe: 10%
•Chik Fil A: 10% or a free meal if in uniform

•Cold Stone Creamery: 10%
•Cracker Barrel-20%
•Denny's-10%
•Eddie Bauer- 10%
•Farm Fresh (VA)-10% on Mon.

•Finishline- 10%
•Foot Locker- 10%
•Friendy's-10%

•Gander Mountain- 10%
•Goodwill: 20% Wednesdays

•Home Depot- 10%
•Hot Topic: 10%
•IHOP: 10%

•Loews- 10%
•Logan's-10%
•Magic Man-10%
•Michaels Crafts-10% on Wed.

•Napa Autoparts: 10%

•New York and Co.- 15%
•Old Navy/Gap/Banana Republic- 10% on the first of every month
•Pep Boys- 10%
•Popeyes- 10%
•Rack Room Shoes- 10% Tuesdays

•Regal Cinema's- Matinee Pricing
•Ruby Tuesday-10%
•Spencer's Gifts- 10%
•Sprint- 15%

•Texas Roadhouse- 10%
•Torrid-10%
•Verizon- 15%
•Walgreens- 15% Tuesdays
•YMCA- this one is worth mentioning because they give a very good discount for families of deployed service members. Check your local Y!


These theme parks also offer 1 day free to any military member and up to 3 dependents one time per year:

•Busch Gardens
•Sesame Place
•Seaworld
Disney:


$138 4-Day Park Hopper Tickets for Members of the U.S. Military
For information regarding Military Promotional Tickets or to make room reservations, military personnel may call (407) 939-7830 or contact participating U.S. military base ticket offices.

The actual prices charged at U.S. military base ticket offices for Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be less than the prices set forth above.


*4-Day Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased by any eligible U.S. military personnel or their spouse for just $138. There is a 6 ticket limit. This offer is for active or retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists and the U.S. Coast Guard.