Stand proud Rudy...you raised a hero.

I second that!!!

Rudy, I have read the quotes and posts and I am deeply sorry for your loss. As a father, I cannot imagine the loss in your life.

Dean

Good morning men,
Feels like it is going to be an excellent day. I am trying to post as often as I can (I have lots to post) but sometimes it knocks the wind outa my sails when I get to reading the responses from you great guys, gotta go before it hits me. Semper Fi!

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...IMG_8982_1.jpg

it take a special person to do what our soldiers are doing and this thread gets me EVERYTIME i look at it.they keep us safe & we should never forget that (i won't).i want to thank the soilders and their families for their serve!!!! and rudy anytime you get down and need to vent or yell or what ever you do it brother youv'e earned it .

x2

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Son
 

Rudy, thanks for the continued posting and we are all proud of your son. We all feel your loss and admire your strength. Hope that you continue to heal. If you ever need to vent , complain or just talk, drop me a line.

Rudy,
God Bless your family for the contributions you have made to keeping America the Freedom Beacon of the World. We all gotta stay strong as ever and do it TOGETHER.
Our boys and girls in the sand are fighting the most difficult and important fight the world has ever seen. We back here in The World are fighting a different fight that is just as important against internal forces that hate America and what we stand for. How can you hate a nation who gives so much to the peoples of the world and yet ask for NOTHING in return ????
I'm glad to see that Gearheads are on the Right side here !
Dwaine
63B20 Vietnam '69-70-71

Check out my Pics Gallery in the RJ home site and stop by my website

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TOP sorry out of town a few days.

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Hey Rudy-

I have to admit, I have posted on this thread before & admired it each time. It was not until TODAY that I realized what happend (not the first time I am the last one to "get it") It was today that I realized you lost your son Jay.

In two hours, my family is having a party (returning from Iraq party for my Uncle in law Sam). That is why I went to this thread before I go this party. I wanted to say hello to everyone & celebrate. He has been home now for about 3 weeks. I debated once I knew about Jay if I should post at all.... I thought how unfair it is for us to be be celebrating this day knowing that you are many miles away... greiving the loss of your son. But then I thought about this: Jay is one of the reasons why I am celebrating Sam's return today. It is because of people like Jay that we remember why we are here doing what we do. At best, today is bitter-sweet as me & the kid's going to this celebration of my uncles return from Iraq.

Here's the thing- I beleieve that there is a reason for everything. There is a reason that I found this thread today & found out about Jay while at the same time I will be celebrating Sam's return. Whatever the reason may be, Jay will be honored by all when I get there... your family will be prayed for when I get there, & Jay's bravery & service will be mentioned & will not be in vein. Thank God for people like Jay... thank God. Today before we eat, I will gather everyone for grace & we will pray over you & your family.

I am sorry I did not know... guess my ADD is still there from childhood a little... but now I know & I can pray about it. I think it is healthy for you to talk about Jay if you feel like it... we are your support & family from far away too. I cannot imagine your pain, but I can pray about it & ask God to help. I am sure Jay is a fine man & WE THANK YOUR FOR SHARING YOUR PAIN WITH US. I/we support you & your family. If you need anything, just PM me. Rigsby

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Riggs,
Thanks for the kind words my friend! No need to worry about not knowing about Jay until recently.
Thank Sam for his service for us, without these men we would be in a world of of total anarchy.

Jay was killed on 10/21/05, we buried him on 11/2/05.
I seem to be very unorganized in my feelings this time of year. Our favorite time to fish, hunt and just generally be outdoors. But unfortunately for me, it has turned into what seems like some form of punishment over the last couple of years.

Just when you think it is getting easier, WHAM, fall settles in and returns with the overcast days that provide wayyyyyy tooooo much time to think about what could have been.

I must tell you guys, without my beautiful wife Cynthia and my younger boys Luke and Wes, I do not think I could handle this.

I have really never had very much heartbreak in my life, I think sometimes God saved it all up for me and gave it to me all at once.

Curt, I know you are reading this too. Tell your son we are very thankful and hope for his safe return. In fact, this goes out to EVERYONE with a loved one taking care of our freedom and safety.

Thanks for reading this if you did, I really needed to let some of this out.

Will post more pics soon.

Semper Fi!!
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g.../ripbutler.jpg
Jay is bottom right, the one with the mule eating briars smile (that rarely, if ever left his face) holding the K-Bar.

I sure will Rudy, thank you. I sent R.A. (my son) a link to this a while back and I think he checks it occasionally. I'm glad you posted that pic of your son. I have to say that I think about your son quite frequently since hearing his story, usually whenever I am thinking about R.A. He is supposed to be heading home Nov. 20th. I can hardly wait.

Oh, and anytime you need us Rudy.

Curtis

Well Rudy, I sure sympathize about your memories of the fall & hunting & such. We have that comon understanding, hunting is some much more than harvesting an animal. I am sure that Jay would tell you to get back out there sometime & go hunting. In fact, It would be my honor to give you a bow from my company (Bowtech) such as a Airborne 82nd or an Admiral. When that day comes, you let me know & I will send you a bow to hunt with in your son's honor. I think God really has a special place in his heart for those who gave everything they had to protect the innocent & keep the peace. If it is one thing that should help you is knowing that your son is in a better place waiting for you & your family. Who knows, we may all be going there soon with the way things are going. Keep the faith & know you have friends that support you.

Riggs,
I gotta tell you man, I haven't been on a hunt since winter of '04. I really have lost the want to go anymore. I haven't changed my view on hunting, it should be for food and keeping the population down. For some weird reason, I just don't want to kill anymore. But don't let that lead you to thinking I won't EAT a steak or venision, I do know it is me still at the top of the food chain! :lol: :lol: Your offer is very generous, but the bow would go unused here, I rarely even shoot targets anymore. I included a picture of my bow, it is around 25 years old, still as true as my sweetheart!! Go ahead, show your buds at work the relic I use, it will get a good laugh!
Doorracer, tell R.A. thanks for everything! I know you can't wait to see his face my friend, I sure know that feeling!
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...trods/bow1.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...trods/bow2.jpg
Later,

Rudy,
Go hunting with a camera instead, or just your eyeballs and binoculars. Your son will still be with you out yonder as you enjoy the wonderment of our free America.

Hey Rudy,

Thanks for the picture of the old Bear... have not seen one of those in awhile. I understand that some things are just not as important or have the same meaning as when they used to. One day at a time....

TT Sam the other day. He is not the same. I think he is having trouble being a civilian again. I am sure he saw some things that were tough over there. It's like he is nervous all the time or something. He still has his faith & is glad to be home though.

Anyways, keep your chin up & God bless you & your family.

Rigsby,
It took me 7 years of fighting my way into and out of bars and jobs and blowing through 2 marriages before I started 'settling down' after the 'Nam. We didn't have a fraction of the help available to us then as our folks do now. Watch Sam and give him space and don't pry too hard. Combat vets develop a super close relationship with their buds that cannot be replaced back in the world. We go through withdrawls from heavy, heavy adrenalin, the intense action and 1000% focus on your surroundings every second of your existence. It really is a form of addiction. Get him into a race car ! That's a close resemblance to combat focus, action, and adrenalin. That's why I race.

I can understnad that. It is weird though, he is just different. I will give him space & be there at the same time.

FYI;

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/350936/

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Soldiers life
 

Here is a website that gives a little insight into what our soldiers endure in Afghanistan.

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/200...al_valley.html

Excellent post !
I am consistantly amazed, stunned and astounded at the ignorance of some of the commenters on sites like this with the pics, and am proud of the rest who stand up for America.
The mainstream American public needs to see pics like these on a daily basis to keep their attention as to what, why, and who our Armed Forces are fighting for.

back up top where it belongs.

The finest most powerful military in the world... all of the excellent people who serve... the greatest country in the world.

I have seen a few counrties in my day... as a military brat growing up... everytime the jet touched its wheels on American ground after being away for so long... I would get GOOSE-BUMPS everytime!! Talk about being greatful after not seeing Americans for 2& 1/2 years.... living in Yokosuka, Japan.

I would literally be euphoric for days waking up every day in America every day again. All of this.... the food, the events, speaking my own language.... the Flag I am so proud of. It is a pride only an American could know.... being a part of something others could only dream of.

In spite of a underqualified & less-than apealing president elect, there are so many of us real Americans who know what it is like to appreciate the greatest place in the world.... PERIOD. Thanks to all of those who gave it all so we could do what we do. God Bless America & the soldiers!!!!!

AMEN!!!

lets all remember our soldiers

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Rudy

I don't know how to say what I feel so this might ramble a bit.

Two years ago my wife and I were traveling through Belgium. We saw a small plaque on a cement post on the side of the roadway. As we drove past we noticed an American flag on it. We turned around and read about some battles that had happened in the area back in WWI. At the bottom it mentioned a cemetary a few miles away for the American Soldiers that had lost their lives in these battles. http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/ff.php

Neither my wife nor I had an ancestor serve during WWI, but we were compelled to stop and pay our respects. We were there for about two hours and we were moved. Up to that point in my life I have never cried as hard as I did that day.

While traveling in Europe again this summer we received word that my Mom had lost her two year battle with Cancer. Her lung collapsed, she contracted pneumonia and died within 24 hours. It was the worst day of my life. I was isolated and I felt a million miles from home and family, and there was nothing anyone could do to help. I have never cried as hard as I did that day.

I'm 46 and never served in the military (my generation didn't have a war), but it didn't stop me from respecting those who did. I've been registered here for some time, but I don't think I've been to the forum before...heck I think this might be my first post.

I just completed reading through this topic. I have never cried as hard I did just now.

I sleep in comfort and warmth provided by men and women such as your son. I am sorry for your sacrifice, but it lives not in vane. Let's hope that Lincoln's word will also ring true for our current heroes..."The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here"

I run cars on the West Coast with an Historic NASCAR group. http://www.HSCRS.com We do a race each season called The Fallen Heroes Invitational. Each of us has an opportunity if we'd like to stand at the awards ceremony at the end of the weekend and mention a name and a bit about the person. With your permission I'd like to mention Jay's name.

Jon Jordan

Jon,
You can mention Jay anytime and anywhere you want to. It is my goal that Jay, as well as the others that have made such a sacrafice to not be forgotten. I can guarantee you that Jay would be very humbled by just a mere thought that someone was honoring him in any kind of way. I never , ever dreamed that one of my kids would become my real life hero. I must go, finding this very difficult.

JON, that is the best first post ever. way to put it into words buddy cause i'm not any good at that stuff. Rudy as long as i am able i'm keeping this post on top just so people NEVER forget what Jay & alot of others have done for us! god bless you & yours.
john

Someones daughter.......
 

Ladies and Gentlemen!!!!!!!!

The Feminine Side of the Marines....
A 165 grain match bullet out of a Marine M-24, bolt action, 7.62MM, 725 yards distance, point of aim, point of impact, one shot, one hit, I love it, and I am sure you do too.... I truely liked seeing her picture in the poster that was made by the Corps after that shot.... . Get some Marine Kimmy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The ex-cheerleader (age 19) in the picture below was watching a road that led to a NATO military base when she observed a man digging by the road. She engaged the target, and she shot him. Turned out he was a bomb maker for the Taliban and he was burying an IED that was to be detonated when a U.S. patrol walked by 30 minutes later. It would have certainly killed and wounded several soldiers.

The interesting fact of this story is the shot was measured at 725 yards. She shot him as he was bent over burying the bomb. The shot struck him in the butt blowing him into the bomb which detonated. He was blown to pieces.

The Marines made a motivational poster of her. Her name is Kimmy. To you, Kimmy, we say, OoooRah! Thanks for your service.



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thanks to all the soldiers that give us the freedom to have christmas with are families while they protect us.my families thought and prays are with all of you .god bless and merry christmas.

Thanks to all Military/Armed Forces on this day while you unselfishly protect us. May all your families & friends be blessed today... May all soldiers be blessed today, may God protect you today & everyday. Merry Christmas!!!

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