Welcome message for new members.

[shelleygene]

Hello and welcome to Blue and Gold Forums. My name is Shelley Courtney and I have been honored to have been asked by Dan to help out here as a moderator.

This forum is being created in the hopes that it will bring family members of our armed service members together. For those currently serving - to support and share in sending up prayers for that soldiers safety. For those who have given the ultimate sacrifice - to comfort, support and lend an ear when needed. And let us not forget those who served our country bravely and have been injured and are learning to live life from a different perspective. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you as well.

I lost my nephew in April of 2003. I have found, since that time, that fellowship with others who have lost a loved one as well is some of the best healing to be found. Each of us deal with loss in our own way, but knowing that others are dealing with a similar pain helps us to know we are not alone even when we feel so the most.

It is important to remember that each soul lost was someone special to a number of people. Not only were they a father/mother, husband/wife, son/daughter, brother/sister... they were also someones grandchild, cousin, nephew/neice or friend. Everyone feels the loss in some way and we understand this. The one thing to always remember though is you have a piece of that loved one that no one can ever take away from you and that is your memories. Those memories will live in your heart and keep that loved one alive for the rest of your life. Memories are such precious things.

We hope you enjoy your time here in the forums. We ask that you browse the posts and join in as much as you like. We have one golden rule to abide by here which is that you treat the other members with the same courtesy and respect as you would want to be treated. As long as that is kept in mind we can uplift and support one another in a spirit of love that will honor those we are here in support or memory of. If you do have a problem, please let one of the moderators or administaters know though. We want your visits here to be healing and enjoyable.

Once again, welcome and God Bless,
Shelley Courtney
proud Aunt of Spec. Thomas A. Foley III 4/14/03