A Soldier Home…
A week and a day ago…I stepped of an airplane and like many of those that I was with…got a bit choked up…we were finally, after 15 long months, home. Italy never looked so beautiful and right away I could smell it…LIFE.
We lost 26 Soldiers in 15 months, three of them my closest friends, another three were my own medics, my Soldiers…they all died for something much greater than I could ever know. I know people have their views and I respect that…I just ask all who read this remember those who fought and fight still this very moment.
I want to say THANK YOU to all that supported me while I was there, the letters, the emails, care packages…I will forever be in debt to you…
I am home…
August 12, 2008 at 9:37 am
Welcome home, soldier.
August 12, 2008 at 9:39 am
WE CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT YOU WENT THROUGH…WE SHOULD THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR OUR COUNTRY…MY HUSBAND HAS SERVED 2 TOURS OUT THERE AND ITS HEART WRENCHING TO HEAR SOME STORYS THAT HAS TAKEN HIM OVER 4 YRS TO EVEN TALK ABOUT….TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS YOU…MY HAT GOES OFF TO YOU!!!!!!!!!
August 12, 2008 at 9:45 am
I want to thank you for your sacrifice. You will never know how much my family and I appreciate you and your service. thank you. thank you. thank you.
It is because of you my children are safe at night…..
August 12, 2008 at 9:49 am
Thanks for your service and welcome home. You look good dude. How did ou work out for the last 15 months?
August 12, 2008 at 9:58 am
Thank you & welcome home.
August 12, 2008 at 10:04 am
We as Americans are forever in debt to YOU……welcome home soldier. xxoo
August 12, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Welcome Home Smiley! Thank you for serving!! I will watch my baby brother do another tour soon and as an Army sister I can only tell you you have my fullest respect as do those who have died for our country! xo ~Storm
August 12, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Ok, let me be serious for a second. I’m really glad you got to go home and even better got to come home safe. I hope you don’t ever have to return there. Ok, enough with the serious talk.
You suck.
August 14, 2008 at 3:51 am
Welcome home soldier, welcome home
August 14, 2008 at 5:38 am
Thanks for all you do Rage. As a soldier - a medic, and a friend. You have meant alot to me on this site and I’m glad I got to know you. You helped me to understand what it’s like for our men and woman so far from home. Thanks for your sacrifices. Thanks for all the people’s lives that you touched. I will never forget the picture of you sewing that little boy’s nose back on. I know it was hard to be there, and to see alot of that, but they were lucky to have you. I am sure you showed them compassion and humanity that they needed at that moment. Even though some peed on you, I am sure you have touched their lives in a positive way. Thanks Michael! You are greatly loved and appreciated. THANKS to all you who serve!
August 16, 2008 at 7:24 am
You know I love you Bubs and you are such an inspiration to so many of us. I am proud to have you as my friend. A strong man, soldier, son, brother, friend. Welcome home and good luck on your new life as a teacher.
August 16, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Great to have you back man!! Welcome home and as you said… All gave some, but some gave all…
August 17, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Hehe…and to think you’re ending up in my neck of the woods!! Can’t wait for you an KL, very excited!!! Welcome home and Thanks! Hey don’t forget to bring my chia -nieces and nephews.
August 18, 2008 at 10:31 pm
I have had only one close friend and one cousin who died at an early age. I can sort of imagine what you guys go through. But not really … God bless you bro
paddy
August 19, 2008 at 5:42 pm
you are honoring your fallen friends everyday by keeping your positive attitude and sharing it with others.. thank you for your service, Rage.. i’m glad you made it home safely
August 19, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Rage…Im glad we are friends…God puts people in my life for a reason. Thanks for being you…RAGE ON!
August 20, 2008 at 1:55 pm
welcome home bro. I have been in your place before. We must honor those we have lost by doing what we do. Some make the suprime sacarfice so that other may live. WELCOME HOME !!
August 21, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Bro, welcome home. I’ve been over there and I know it’s nothing to laugh at or anything to be taken lightly. I truly send my prayers to you and your fellow Airborne soldiers. I’m glad that you made to back to the world safely and sanely. Good luck with you upcoming fight, I also have a tournament that day, God Bless…keepPUSHing
August 26, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Hey Rage, I am glad you made it home. My friend Adam (B.Co. 1/503D) made it back too. I couldn’t believe the names that showed up on HONORTHEFALLEN.COM this past year. A couple I knew myself, and will forever be missed. Had a friend that gave his life on one of those mountains. I am so truly sorry to hear about your fellow medics. Keep looking up, because it’s Soldiers like you, that give people like me, a fresh new breath of air everyday. Thanks, Rage.
"HERD"
August 31, 2008 at 1:36 am
I take my hat off to you and I would get down on my knees and kiss for feet for what you do, way more than I have ever time. Welcome home Michael.
October 10, 2008 at 9:46 am
Welcome home. You do yourself and your family a great honor. All who enjoy the freedom to criticize and think for themselves will always be in your debt. Thank you.