The following section is a repeat post that I have tweaked a tad. It is about a soldier my family holds very near and dear to our hearts. Please read it and say a prayer, think good thoughts, and remember all the soldiers in wars past and those who will be going into combat. I am thankful for men and women like Bill Watson who willingly fight for my freedom. You do not have to agree with this war, or even the concept of war, to be able to lift them up in prayer, keep them in your thoughts, and show the gratitude they are all worthy of receiving.
Bill was one of Shawn's bosses before Bill went back to the old KTP plant, while they worked together they became very dear friends. Our families are similar; we both have a special needs child. Bill and April have two kids and their daughter has Autism. Of course, as you know, one of our twins has Down syndrome. Bill totally understood some of Shawn's challenges and vice versa and the two just hit it off. Last year they took a motorcycle trip to the Dragon in Tennessee. And when Bill returns home, safely, they will be going on another trip to the Black Hills (I think).
Bill's wife, April, worked her booty off and many people came to have one last revelry with Bill before he heads off for his tour and I am sure we will have one HUGE revelry when he safely returns!! I was honored to make his send-off cake. While we were there I was able to see and reminisce with some old friends from Chrysler too. It was good to see so many people who love Bill and April and their kids show up to send him off with fond memories of his last days at home before he leaves for a year or so.
I have been keeping up with April's posts on Facebook while she is counting down the days to see Bill before his deployment. As of today, just 5 days to go until she will see him before he and his troop leave for Afghanistan. I cannot imagine being in April's shoes. I have such respect for her and her family. Trevor is a teenager now and such a great kid, I am sure he will be a great source of help to his mom.
I can say this, I am so eternally grateful for the men and women like Bill; those who willingly choose to serve and protect no matter the cost. He is going away, sacrificing family time with his wife, son and daughter. Why? Because he is proud to be an American, because he is proud to protect you and me, because he is a man of exceptional selflessness.
You do not have to support this war but how can you not support and pray for a man or woman willing to sacrifice of themselves when they don't even know you? This is as thankless a job as it is a thankful one. A soldier's job is never done. I am not asking for debates here, this is not a political thing. I don't care if you support our government in this war, all I am asking is prayers for a man willing to risk it all for you.
I will be praying for Bill Watson and asking everyone I know to do the same. He is a good man, a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a cousin, and a friend to many. He deserves our prayers. He needs our prayers. I intend to pray daily for his safety, his troops safety, and his safe return. I intend to pray to see him walk up to my front door after he gets home and give me a big hug before he, April, Shawn and I go out to celebrate his homecoming and my 36th birthday. That is my prayer. I want the soldier I know to make it home safely to be with his family and friends. Nothing more and nothing less. Lord, God Almighty, hear my prayer. Amen.
God speed, Bill Watson.
We love you....
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