[olivdav]

I have been refraining on posting about the POS UBL finally being killed or even pressing the Like button on facebook to others posts. I have been taking a little personal time to reflect on the effect that that POS has had on me personally and especially to my family. Most think back obviously to 9-11, which is understandable since that is when this guy became a household word. I remember seeing the destruction that his menions left behind at our US Embassy in 1998 as myself and some coworkers went to Dar Esalaam Tanzania to support the FBI and State Department in sorting out the bodies. This was when I first learned of this POS as I watched the news about US missles attacking camps in Afghanistan.
As everyone has memories of 9-11, so do I remember the entire day. That day has effected my family almost everyday since. We knew that we were not going to let this slide and prepared our equipment and people to go wherever we were told to. The anger and sadness that we all felt inspired some of the best preperation I have ever seen my coworkers perform and we were ready to go the evening of 9-11. Although I personally did not get the chance to go until late December of that year, I can say that I supported many of my coworkers on their mission from home to include their family members. My wife worked 12 hour shifts for longer than I can remember, in fact I believe she worked those shifts from 9-11 and was still working them when I got my chance to go in December. We went to open an airbase in Afghanistan, for security reasons we could not tell anyone where we were going. Some family understand this concept while others did not. It was an awakening experience that my wife went through as she watched me board a bus with a weapon strapped on my back and not knowing where I am going or when I will come home. Since that time, as with thousands of others, we have missed those things alot of us take for granted, Birthdays, Holidays etc,... Thousands did not return.
This was only one of many deployments that myself and my coworkers accomplished and still do to this day. Whether actually going into harms way or staying behind to support those that are going, all of the military whatever their job is, have directly supported the great work that was accomplished this week. Unfortunately, it is only a small victory that UBL has an American bullet in his eye and now is shark food. The larger victory has yet to be accomplished. The United States of America must not let our guard down, there are people that want to destroy our way of life and will stop at nothing in order to accomplish their mission. Only a small portion of our population has seen this first hand and therefore this concept does not really sink in to the general public. You must understand that these people want you, your children, your siblings, your parents and even your friends to either succomb to their whims or die. It is that simple.
Our Miltary has the responsibility of defending our country. They defend the way of life that we enjoy daily. I am proud to have served and still serve for and with the BEST people I have ever known.

[Fightinfire921]

God bless you Dave, your family, and all of your brothers and sisters in uniform.

BE SAFE!

[terry_b]

Well said, well said. I'm a fellow service member, nuclear EM2 submarines

[MANAWAR]

Dave,
I had retired from active service when 9/11 happened, I wanted to re-enlist again to serve my country again, but was too old. I salute my military brothers and sisters for keeping America safe. And I welcome you home. God Bless you and your family.

Bill

[olivdav]

I am also now retired as of Oct 2009, but now serve in civil service as an instructor.

[MANAWAR]

Where in New Jersey are you from? I used to live in Pleasantville, NJ right down from Atlantic City.

[olivdav]

I work on Fort Dix NJ at the USAF Expeditionary center

[HERSS]

Great story Dave!!! Hope you are enjoying your retirement!!!

[midnighter]

Thanks for your service Dave.