I tend to agree with you, that troops in Kuwait should not be receiving combat pay, by your description. Sometimes it's necessary to speak out against injustice in order for the American people to know of these things. Yes, the money could be use for more appropiate uses to help the wounded veteren's and families of the KIA's.
This is an American Infantryman Who can say, "He is not a scholar."? So many children, who can attain to education only by the grace and sweat of their parents, are willing to judge those who will make their own way. Those poor, kept children will never comprehend their blessings as you have done.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” Teddy Roosevelt; CITIZENSHIP IN A REPUBLIC; Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, France; April 23, 1910
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Brought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
I just read your powerful testimony. Your words took me back to 2004-5, when my youngest son, Phil, was in Iraq for a year. The song "In Christ Alone" helped get me through some long sleepless nights during his deployment. You, the men you mentioned and other soldiers there with you will be in my prayers. God bless you and keep you in His care.
Thanks for spreading the joy As I cracked up laughing reading your birthday blog and viewing the pictures, I yelled into the living room where my housemate/sister was watching tv - wanna see a guy duct taped to a cot wearing an orange cone on his head? Of course, she did! We also appreciated the cinnimony grin. :) You are an amazing leader and I'm glad we chose your name as a fluke (My sister went to Erskine College. HA!) You have been a great inspiration to me. Thank you so much1
So it looks like you had a little fun!?! Or maybe the guys had fun at your expense, either way it was probably a good time had by all -- so to speak. Things like that must be a bit of a stress reliever, just to get crazy for a few hours. You certainly made me smile reading it, so thanks to you and your guys for being silly for a little bit and having the nerve to let others see it, too!! Have a good day! Kath
A Good Boss is hard to find! Having a platoon sergeant like a patch of mold was some thing I could relate to. I had just been watching a BBC News report on Blackwater, therefore it was good to see your photos with happy children. A great blog!
Bryan
God's servant I have forwarded your blog address to many here at FCC. They need to be aware of the good work of the Gospel - in the midst of the battle. We are all so grateful for you and the other military personel who serve our country - and we praise God that those like you (Tony) have the Good News implanted so deeply in your heart that it simply spills out because of who you are in Christ. May the light of Christ shine even more - through us all - Christ's beloved Church. The Church is in the streets of Iraq!!! Pastor Bob
Praise God! Tony, I have been following your blog since April and have been fascinated by all the work the Lord is doing in your life. I have passed your blog along to other Christian friends and asked they pray for you and your family. Your post this month just confirms that your purpose for serving is two-fold: not only are you a soldier for our country, you are a soldier for Christ and he is using you to expand His Kingdom millions of miles away. And in a land full of death, He brings new LIFE as he calls His own unto Him. My husband has always said the war on terror is also spiritual and the way you summed it up in 3 parts (physical, emotional, and spiritual) is right on target. I pray the Iraqi people see the example of Christ in so many US soldiers that they also are drawn in to the only love that saves. Thank you for all you do and keep up the good work!!
Always something to be thankful for!!! There is the light of God in every man; sometimes you have to look really, really hard to find it and other times, it's shining very brightly already.
Kath
It never ends... Half a world away, 3 1/2 years later, and you are still the best bible teacher/coach I will ever have. I am proud to say I am fighting this spiritual war with you on my team and pray for your safe return to your wonderfully amazingly loving wife and children. I will keep all these soldiers in my hearts and prayers that they are able to face this spiritual war with as much strength and courage as they have the physical. Love and Prayers always, Amy-Beth.
Tony, reading about the wonderful work you're doing over there. Its pretty powerful stuff. I'm terrible with words, but I can't imagine a greater gift to give someone than what you are doing over there with your fellow soldiers. Reading your blog today reminded me of my *deal* with god. Thanks for bringing me to him. Please take care, and may god be with you.
Hello Laura,
It is so great to see how you, Tony, and your girls are doing. Congratulations to you again on your third! How exciting.
This fall, Danny started the University of Maryland's part-time MBA program so we are back in the Northern Va area.
Hope everyone in your family is doing well!
Love,
Christine
Reconciliation "We reconcile with our enemies, not with our friends."
What does this mean? It means that trust must start with the strongest among us. It means that men of honor take risks and expect their enemy to be men of honor.
"Hope springs ever eternal in the human breast."
And this last...
Let them pray that they do not sacrifice you on the alter of their democracy.
Dad
Congrats! Your post is beautiful - your family (GROWING family!) and the relationship you have with your extended family - it's great! I keep you and your troops in my prayers and can't wait until all of you are home again. Thanks for letting us into your life! (an anysoldier cheerleader!)
congratulations congratulations on the news of the baby, that's great! I've been following your blog with great interest since i first stumbled upon it in April. It's just great getting an honest and personal account of the life of a soldier and what's happening in Iraq. I was delighted to hear that the UK troops (i'm from scotland) have been pulled out of Basra, especially at such a difficult time, so I'm hoping you guys will be out soon enough. Best of luck to you mate, take care. James
Congrats on new family member to be! Congrats to you and your family. One of my AnySoldier contacts is getting ready to come home in just a few days, hope that will happen soon for you, too. There is always something to be thankful for. Please stay safe, stay well. Kath
Found it! It just took a little more trying to find this entry on the Cinque Terre, Tony. :) We will be staying two nights in Vernazza, or Town Num 2 as you have named it. :) Letter on the way. Stay safe! from the Marchands
Congrats Tony: A Great GRAND Son This time sounds good to me: so be it. You got it right about Laura, there was something about her that stole my heart the first time I met her. And, LOL, any lady that can put up with an Erskine has got to be the greatest. When you return it simply is a must for me to come visit, I have not seen you since the wedding but God willing I shall visit with you and yours soon. Sylva and I pray for you guys every night. God Bless and we love you. Grampa
a man's man Tony, Susan and I are praying for you, Laura and the family. I was looking for your number last week. We'll keep praying and rooting for you. I was just thinking back to the days of the vulcan drifter - can't believe that was 6 years ago. Anyways, you're life is a testimony for every man as you continue to serve the Lord, provide for your family, and your country. Keep up the good work. You're the ultimate man's man and more importantly, God's man/friend.
Welcome Everyone!
For those of you I have not yet met, my name is Tony. I am the proud father of several wonderful kids, and the lucky husband of my beautiful, caring wife, Laura. Biologically we have two lovely daughters and one rowdy son, Jaeden (7), Selah (5) and Elijah (1). We are or have been the foster parents of four beautiful young ladies: Summer (17), Tiffany (17), Nikki (16), and Jenai (15). These girls have been such a wonderful blessing in our lives.
I am currently a computer programmer for Liberty University, but in the past I have work as a paratrooper in the Army in Ir... full info
Franco
Franklin H
I tend to agree with you, that troops in Kuwait should not be receiving combat pay, by your description. Sometimes it's necessary to speak out against injustice in order for the American people to know of these things. Yes, the money could be use for more appropiate uses to help the wounded veteren's and families of the KIA's.