Friday, January 16, 2009

WooWee, look at all my lurkers coming out

and I'm happy that so many have decided to show themselves and say hi, I can not wait to go visit everyone this morning. I'll bring some cake too *snicker*

What a night....you know when you think about military soldiers being in danger, you immediately imagine Iraq, Afghanistan and frontlines. The truth of the matter is that even the ones back home going about their normal day, are constantly in danger too. I'm talking about the Crew Chiefs, the guys who put those amazing jets up in the air, the guys who work 12 and 13 hour shifts without a lunch break or with a quick lunch break which includes scarfing down a sandwich with greasy dirty hands. I want to talk about those guys today!

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Do you ever stop to think about how dangerous their job is? Because I do, every single day and every single minute that my husband is at work. It's not like working on a car, which I'm sure has it's own risks too, but working near an F-16 or F-15 or any other kind of jet is dangerous with a capital "D".

Do you know that when the jet is running, if they take just one little step near the intake, they will be sucked in?
Do you know that there are panels that when removed are extremely heave and if dropped on a foot, can break it?
Do you know that if you brush up against the side of a missile you will get a huge gash?
Do you know that when they are removing an engine they have to be sure that it is all clear and no one is in there or someone will get their head literally squashed?

From all those above, I can tell you that Curt has had to walk with crutches because of a panel that fell on his foot and even while wearing steel toe boots, it fractured it. I can also tell you that while deployed to the desert, he accidentally brushed up against the side of a missile and it cut right into his side....and I can also tell you that while stationed at Mountain Home AFB....while removing an engine from one of the F-16's, my husband had his head stuck in there and the guys pulled the engine without him giving them the ok.

I got a call at home from his supervisor telling me that he was at the hospital and his head got crushed. OH.MY.WORD! Those are not the things you want to hear, I had all these horrible visions in my mind, I mean how can someone get their head crushed and survive.

What happened is that Curt says the minute they started pulling the engine, the space where his head was got tighter and smaller and it start crushing from the top and bottom, he says he actually heard his teeth cracking and the two screws on the bottom ripping into his chin but THANK GOD, at the last minute, with the pressure, his head snapped to the side and he fell to the ground. He survived, with two holes in his chin and a huge headache, but look at how much worse it could have been?

The reason I'm telling you all this is so that you may have a better understanding of how dangerous it is for our soldiers, whether they're deployed or at home.

Another reason is because last night, I was woken up at 4:30 am by Curt walking into the bedroom shaking and pulling me from bed into a really tight hug. I couldn't understand what had happened, but apparently, he was running a jet which means they sit in the cockpit and literally turn it on etc. The jet caught on fire and while everyone rushed to get a ladder for him to get out of the cockpit, he didn't wait, he just jumped off and ran to get the fire extinguisher, by the time the fire department got there he had put out the huge fire. If he hadn't gotten off when he did.....well, we're not even going to think about that.

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But the experience shook him up, he said he couldn't stop shaking for about two hours after the incident. His life literally flashed before his eyes and he realized again, just how close he had come. So when the words "You could have been a widow tonight" came out of his mouth, all I could do was hug him tight and thank the Lord for once again looking after my husband.

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It's a fact, all military spouses think about never having the doorbell ring and opening it up to a Chaplain on the other side. You can't help but think about it, it's just a way of life, and every single day that you have together is a blessing.

So I want you to thank all the soldiers you know, even the ones at home, no matter what their job is. Thank them for everything they do because the military is kinda like the borg if you think about it LOL One mind with thousands of bodies, everything works together, it's all for the same purpose, they can't manage without the other. So thank them and let them know they are appreciated, you have no idea how much it means to them to hear those words. A lot of the guys back home hate the fact that they can't be on the frontlines fighting with the others, but I think it's important for them to know that what they're doing here is just as poignant and that we do appreciate them.

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Every morning I wake up and say a prayer before my day starts, because I know that I have absolutely no control over what may happen, but when I pray, I feel that whatever MAY come my way, will be easier having God at my side, and I also know that He will be watching out for all of us and ensuring we have a safe day.

I got up early one morning and rushed into the day;
I had so much to accomplish that I didn't have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me, and heavier came each task.
"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered. He answered "You didn't ask."

I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on, gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn't show me. He said, "But you didn't seek."

I tried to come into God's presense; I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided, "My child, you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning, and paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.

----Author Unknown

37 comments:

Pamela said...

Too true, Sandra! You don't have to be in Iraq or Afghansitan to be in danger in today's military - not with all the high-powered equipment and sophisticated weapons that are tested and transported daily here at home. Danger is present 24-7 - that's why our military members must always be on alert - and their families are always standing by at home - praying and hoping that their loved one will come home safely.

I see The Pallisers on your Netflix list - I have the whole set and we have watched it over and over again. It is an awesome series. Check out The Grand, also with Susan Hampshire, if you get a chance.

Pamela

Anonymous said...

Be sure to thank Curt for me today. He's a hero to me.

Mari said...

Our guys deserve a lot of thanks. Not only do they work in dangerous areas, but they have to be ready to go somewhere at a moments notice and lot of them have to be separated from family. Thanks Curt for me!

Anonymous said...

Oh Sandra!!! Your post brought chills! My husband just retired after 20 years and his first career field was special purpose mechanic and we had a few of those moments you described. He no longer has feeling in a few fingers from his hand being crushed by a large tire. You are right and our men face danger here at home as well as over seas. Hug Curt a little extra today which I am sure you already are! Bless our men and women in uniform.

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

This is so true, Sandra. I pray for our soldiers, our country, and our leaders everyday! I admire you and your family for what you endure all the time! Thank you from our family for your service to our country! I'm so glad your hubby was alright!

Tammy

Cheri said...

I'm so thankful he was alright!
I hope you and Curt both know how thankful we are for the sacrifices our service men and women make.

Lynda said...

You are so right! Everyday is a miracle when they come home safely to us. I make it a point to go out and meet him when my hubby gets out of the truck to give him a hug. Thank you for posting the risks of their everyday jobs and how it can all change in just one instant.

Laura said...

Oh, how scary!! Im so glad Curt is okay! One of our friends was out working on the flightline.. and Im not all sure what happened.. but he ended up losing a tooth! It could have been so much worse, but God was protecting him!

Renee said...

Oh, Sandra, how scary! I am so glad that Curt was okay. Many thanks to him and all of the armed service men and women at home and abroad. Keeping you, Curt and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Christy said...

Thanks for giving us non-military people a better look and understanding. Please give your husband a hug from us - we consider his service and commitment a huge blessing and are very grateful.

Anonymous said...

Lovely poem, beautiful.

I will remember to pray for Curt, hubs' brother is off to Afghanistan soon. Such dangers!

Hugs to you too Sandra, it must really shake you up. I can't imagine what you (and other military wives) must go through.

Big hugs and love

Sarah x

Lulu said...

wow, that brought tears to my eyes..What a scary situation, day in and day out..I pray for all our service people every night..They are our heros, here and where ever they may be..
sending you both lots of hugs and prayers..

Tasha said...

this is so true!!!!

Mike Golch said...

the flightline is a dangerous place if you are not careful.I out to know I waslked into an operating radar on a C-130 that was being worked on and did not see the warning signs that were put up.

Andrea@Sgt and Mrs Hub said...

Oh, Sandra! I am so glad Curt is safe. What a scary, scary situation.

I think about Daniel, being an electrician, working with high voltage. One wrong move and he's dead. My brother works on the flight line too and I worry for his safety. Well, I shouldn't say worry in a worry wort kind of way... I pray and trust God for safety - but the thoughts of the danger certainly do cross my mind.

Hold that man tight today!

-Andrea

autumnesf said...

So glad Curts quick thinking kept him in one piece.

I think we could scare everyone pretty good with the stories of what happens right here at home.

Thankfully, most bases are really good about requiring all kinds of safety classes and reviews.

I too live in fear of that knock on the door. Hubs now works more on the electronics and computers in the C135's...electrocutions are always a danger also. His back was also ruined from loading the electronics pods onto the jets when we were younger...the lifts would fail too often.

God bless your family! May God comfort you all!

Michele said...

As a child, my father worked in the ICBM missle silos here in the states. For years we had to deal with him being there, right on the front line of the "Cold War". I know mom worried, but she tried her best to shield us kids. It was a relief when he gained rank and moved into a teaching position.
I am sending out lots of love to you, your husband, and all the other military personell, stateside and away.

Kirstin said...

Wow!!! You are very right and we try to remember to thank them everytime we see them in uniform!

A few years ago we were heading on a small cruise and we saw a military gentleman walking towards us. We stopped him and thanked him so much for serving our country and keeping us safe. The girls shook his hand. As we walked away he called out to us. He came back and gave the girls a couple of shirts he had in his bag (great night shirts).

Tell your hubby that the Troyer Family in Washington says a HUGE thank you and we will be praying for him daily.

Kirstin said...

Though you know.....if we got all the comments that PW gets, we wouldn't get anything else done, and I'd feel bad not responding to the comments that people send me....I mean I wouldn't be able to even answer all teh questions people have. So I suppose I'll be content. (C:

Anonymous said...

I remember those days....I was single then,but I always admired the strength of the 'base wives'. They always seemd so together no matter where they got 'shipped' to. Our men, military or not need a strong support system at home...you do a great job.
Tanna

Jen said...

I am so thankful that your Husband was not injured! I'm also thankful everyday that there are families who serve our country at home and over seas to keep us safe. You all make huge sacrifices for us. For this we thank you!! You are all in our prayers each and everyday!

Melonie said...

Thanks for starting my day off with a good cry. ;-)

I'm so glad Curt was okay. I bet he scared the daylights out of you when he came home like that.

Am I the only milspouse who feels she has to laugh about things like that so she doesn't cry too much?

Joyce's Ramblings said...

Just came over from Sarah's blog. Military wives are special people living in a close area full of danger. I was one over 50 years ago. I had 3 sons that were in. One Army and two Air Force.
So glad your husband is okey. Tell him thanks for me . Give him a extra hug-he can use it.

Crystal said...

Thanks to Curt and everyone in the Forces - in every country - for what they do everyday. My BF has a son in the Canadian Army and he's been in Afghanistan twice. I admire what they do but I fear for them too.

Love that poem! Just what I needed to be reminded of too.

Thanks for visiting my blog :)) Have a great weekend - hope you get to spend some extra time with Curt!

Sweet Woodruff said...

God bless you and your husband. We pray for our military everyday at dinner in our home. My nephew is a B2 Stealth pilot and a few months ago, a plane crashed. Your heart sinks when you hear the news on TV and call real quickly to make sure it wasn't him. We also have a nephew who is an Apache helicopter pilot and it seems there are freqent helicopter accidents. It's scary.

Military wives are the true heros of our country. What you have to deal with and put up with...you guys carry the pride torch ahead of us all and we love and care about you and pray for you.

God bless and we'll pray for your family.

Just me~Bobbie Jo said...

From one military spouse to another-I so understand what you are saying.
Prayers that everything was ok!

Terri said...

I have always had such a deep appreciation for our military heroes but I truly did not know all the things you wrote about today. You can pass on my thanks to Curt and all of his fellow air force men and women. They may not always hear it or feel it, but we owe so much to them. A big "thank you" from us all!

BTW - Cheri told me I had to try your spaghetti and meatballs. Apparently, it was rated an A+ at her house!

Lynn said...

Thank you to your husband and your family for the sacrifices you make for our country!

Michelle said...

OH my.I'm so glad that Curt is ok.All of them are heroes.Huge hugs to you as well Sandra {{{{{hugs}}}}}

Susanne said...

Oh my gosh, Sandra. Praise God that Curt is all right. My heart is just pounding for you guys. Had you not told us I would not have a clue of everything soldiers face on a daily basis even being home. Nothing against famous sports people, but seriously, soldiers are the true heroes.

The Raggedy Girl said...

A big thank you to Curt. And to you to for being the wife of an Airman. My son was a crew chief when he was in the A.F. Right now I have a grandson in Iraq in the Army. A son in the Air Guard going to Kuwait in July and another grandson in the Air Guard going to Afghanistan and one more daughter in law in the Air Guard who gets to stay home. We pray everyday for all our men and women in uniform who keep us safe.
Roberta Anne

All My Blessings said...

Sandra, I want you and Curt to know that I am so thankful for all service people..I believe there are some in our country that don't realize just what our troops have done for them. That's sad. I've been in airports and shaken thier hands and told them Thank you. Never have any of them have been disrespectful. Great manners. Thank you and your children for being there for them...Kae

Barbie @ Mamaology said...

How thankful I am for men like your husband! And for women like you, who love and support them!

Oh and I'm so happy you listed some of your favorite books:)...I look forward to reading some.

Blessed Beyond said...

Hi Sandra,
Thank you so much for this wonderful post! IT is so very true! I want to thank you for serving, by being such a wonderful and loving wife and mom to Curt. Please be sure to tell Curt, thank you from our family! We really do appreciate him and all who serve. We are a very proud Military Supporting Family! They just aren't appreciated enough! THank you so much again to you and Curt both! Glad he was ok!

Hugs and Blessings,

Kelli said...

Sandra -

First of all, I am so glad that Curt was okay! I am sure it will leave you shaken for awhile as well as him!

And also, please thank him and all his co-workers for the job they do to keep us safe in this world... they are underappreciated, I know, and I make a point to shake the hand of every single person I EVER see in uniform anywhere at any time. It isn't much to do, but they should all feel appreciated and know that we are ALL thankful for the job that they do, hard, demanding, mostly thankless and certainly dangerous!

He and your family are in our prayers every day...

Unknown said...

Sandra, I am so glad that Curt is okay.

I totally understand what you mean about the dangers. When my hubby was deployed back in 04 he was tightening a humvee down in the belly of the plan and some how something happened and he got a huge gash cut in to his back. It was very close to his spine and could have either paralyzed him or killed him. God was definitely looking out for him on that day.

**hugs** Give Curt a big hug for me.

Michelle said...

I can't even imagine what that must have felt like to have him come home and tell you the jet caught on fire while he was in it!! Heartstopping for sure! So so glad to hear he got out safely! Hugs to you both!