Thanks for serving!!!

[The_Boaphile]

My Dad, who served in the Army many years ago, taught me to respect and appreciate those who served this great country of ours while I was just a lad. We stood in respect for our Flag at sporting events with our hands on our hearts singing the National Anthem with pride and reverence. When we saw a serviceman my Dad reminded me of the sacrifice that man or woman was making serving our country for little pay and in most times without the appreciation of many they were laying their lives on the line to protect. Yes, I grew up a :-*Flag-Waving :-*, Anthem-Singing, Country-Loving American. I have over the years tried to show my appreciation for those who serve our great country in some small way. This I have done since long before it became fashionable after 9-11. In fact I have never loathed our military (as one of our politicians did who I personally loathed) but revered it and those who have served our great country. In fact whenever I find out that someone buying something from me happens to be in the military I have usually given additional discounts and sometimes even given stuff away. It's my little way of saying thanks to the individual person who serves our country. I never served myself. Went to college for a couple years and well it's a long story. I wish I had served myself but did not.

[jayson_tampa]

;D Thanks Jeff. It really means allot to me and the thousands of other service members out there protecting are country. Its not easy putting on that uniform every day. Always on call 24 hours a day. You never know when your country is going to call
on you and you have to drop everything and leave your life and loved ones behind to fight and protect the freedom of the United States of America :-* !! So, we lace up our boots tight and wear the uniform with honor always remembering those who have gone into battle before us. Never forgeting the oath we made to defend this country to the death.......

Really Jeff it means allot to hear these things from you...We could use more people like yourself supporting the troops. I come from a military family My father served in the Marines during Vietnam. He wanted me to become a Marine but I was more interested in medicine so I became a Navy Corpsmen. We are the medics who go into battle with the Marine units. So, in a way it all worked out my dad was pleased and I got to work in medicine. I am a Hospital Corpsman 3rd class in the U.S. Navy. I am stationed in GreatLakes Illinois. My wife Lori is also a Corpsmen in the Navy. She is a Hospital Corpsman Second Class on special duty Working as a Recruit Division Commander (Drill Sergeant) at Navy Boot Camp here in Greatlakes Illinois and my little brother did 3 years in the Army at Scoffield Barracks in Hawaii attaining the rank of Specialist. I've served this country for 5 years and my wife has served for 7years . We both plan on doing are full 20 years and serving our country to the best of our abilitys. Yes, The military is the life for me. A life wich I share with my beautiful adopted/rescued boa "Mitch". I recieved Mitch from a friend of mine who wasn't taking proper care of him. He was keeping him an a glass aquarium with a water bowl a plain old rock from outside and no heat source at all he said the lamp broke about two weeks prior. I was suprised he wasnt dead or close to it. When I got him he was skinny I could make a circle with my thumb and middle finger and he could pass all the way through. Thats way to skinny for a Boa with a length of 4' 1" .
Well, good news .. I've had Mitch on a steady diet of medium large to large pre killed rats and hes thickening up well.
Unfortunately, he lives in a glass 40 breeder aquarium.. s29.gif..which sucks!! It makes it very difficult to maintain temps and humidity . Its also a little small I think for a Boa of his size. Although, Im currently saving every dime I have to get a BoaPhiles 422D with shelf. :'(

Jeff once again I can't say this enough thank you. You have done a great service to military boa owners like myself and all boa owners by creating this wonderful forum. I know this forum has taught me allot about my boa and all boas in general. It is also a good feeling to take the knowledge that you've learned here to help other new boa owners.

For everyone. Please continue to support our troops overseas by flying your flags high :-* ,wearing or hanging your yellow ribbons,and sending letters to the troops...They need are support now more then ever. Remember those are your sons and daughters over there fighting to protect your way of life.

HM3 Jason M. Hughes
United States Navy

[ssgsims]

Man it is nice to see a fellow herper who appreciates the military guys. I have been serving for 12 years in the army and I have to say that I have loved every minute of it. I recently moved here to Hawaii which meant I had to give up my entire herp collection. Man did that hurt!! So what I do now is live through guys like you and your wonderful website to see all the beautiful snakes that I cannot have. Just a year and a half to go and back to the states and a new snake collection!!!!! Anyway, thanks for saying thanks and appreciating what we do.
SSG Ronald Sims
3d Bn, 7th Field Artillery
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

[Amphiarus13]

Yah good luck i hope to join the navy or marines b-4 or after college

[UOMgacman]

Just wanted to say Hello I am new to this forum, also I wanted to say thanks for dedicating a topic to all of us serving. It seems in todays world that the media and most other countries make us out to be villians. I know I have been to quit a few countries and not many like us. It means alot to myself and I'm sure all the others that have read this topic to hear a fellow American thank us for what we do and not condem us. I know that the majority of Americans do support us but you just don't heat it or see it enough. Thank you. :-*

[Rockford]

Jeff..I am right there with you. My father was a Marine who served in Vietnam as a tank commander. He had seen a lot of action and can only imagine what he had been through as a 20 year old man after hearing his stories and reading his letters to my grandparents. Unfortunately my father was killed in a motorcycle accident on June 14 2002. He was my best friend. He was my hero along with every other person that has put their life out on the line for our great country! I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who is serving or who has served our country. That's the least I can say and I don't even feel like that's enough. Thank you!!

[randymatt]

I have great respect for those who are brave enough to enter into battle, good luck to all and thank you :P

[3snakes1monitor]

:'(Its always good to hear that people do appreciate what we do! Im in Korea right now and the locals do show the love I see in the states. Thank you!!!!! :-*