Your son is here (1 Viewer)

[ProStockJunkie]

A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. "Your son is here," she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened. Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement. The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed.

All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused.

Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients. Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.

Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited. Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her. "Who was that man?" he asked.

The nurse was startled, "He was your father" she answered. "No, he wasn't," the Marine replied. "I never saw him before in my life."

"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?"

"I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me. I stayed."

The next time someone needs you...be there. Stay. You'll be glad you did. We are not human beings going through a temporary spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings going through a temporary human experience.

 

[d'kid]

That is what it means to be a US Serviceman. Stand your Watch, to the best of your ablity. Give Aid and Comfort to those in need. Do whatever needs to be done.

And people, I know it's not even Labor Day yet, but please Don't Forget The USMC Toys for Tots program this year.

 

[Paul Berglund]

Toys for Tots is a great program run by some awesome people....I hope that everyone can support it this year. It is never too early to think about it.

 

["Dr. Dirt"]

Thanks again Jackee! Another great story!

On Veteran's Day each year I make a special call to both my father (until he passed) and my wife's father, both of whom served in WWII, to personally thank them for the lifestyle I have enjoyed throughout my life.

I will never - ever take for granted the freedom they earned with their blood, sweat and tears nor those who have serve since and continue to serve today doing the same for us here in the U.S. as well as many other nations abroad.