"Honoring TONY, My Friend/Our Hero"

     Yesterday was 'Memorial Day,' "2018," and, I thoroughly enjoyed it, despite so many things, because,  I decided that I would, so, I asked God to help me, then, HE did, and then, I DID!  Every 'Memorial Day' since "1991," I have struggled between, being celebratory with family and friends, and, being sad, due to thinking about all of the soldiers who have lost their lives in the service of our country, especially, one very special man, who was one of my dearest friends, who gave his life in 'Saudi Arabia,' during the 'Desert Storm' mission.  With this post, I pay tribute to, honor, salute, THANK (them, and, their loved ones), etc., each and every one of them, and, most of all, my, dear, dear, friend, Tony, who died, a TRUE 'HERO!'  He did not instantaneously become a hero the day that he passed away!  He was always a heroic type soul!  He was a real friend to me!  He, watched over, defended, protected, me, a lot!  I pray that somehow he knows how very grateful, and thankful, I am that, God made us friends, and, for all of his goodness to me!  As part of God's providential plan, we became instant friends upon meeting way back when I was in 6th. grade, and, he was in 7th., when my horse, and, my sister's pony, were boarded at his aunt and uncle's boarding barns, 'Shawnee Stables," down, and, across the railroad tracks, close to "the mighty Ohio River," in my hometown, of 'Portsmouth, Ohio.'  At that time he went to a country school in our county, whereas, I attended one of the city schools.  A few years later, when I met my "first love," he and Tony were pretty good friends, and, attended the same school, which I only realized after the fact!  This actually worked out to my advantage, because, Tony was constantly intermediating between him and me! Hehe!  Poor "Tony Maronie" (my nickname for him)!  He couldn't "win" with that "saga!!" Ha!  He was such a great guy, and, friend! He would consent to doing helpful things for me whenever I'd ask him, that, really weren't fair of me to ask, oftentimes, putting him "between a rock, and, a hard place!"  But, I could always count on my precious "buddy," Tony!  He seemed happy to be a blessing to me!  I was always thankful for the sweet things that he did for me, and would tell him that I was!  We had many good times, hanging out, running around the county, and just being kids.  He hung out at our house quite a bit.  My mother would tease him about him always stopping by whenever he knew that food was cooked, and available!  Everyone in my family loved Tony, too!  He was a real sweetheart!  He transferred to my high school at some point, mainly for the purpose of playing on our high school football team, the 'Portsmouth Trojans,'/'Men of Troy!'  Then, he ended up being friends with most of my friends, there.  He adjusted well to being a 'Trojan,' and, it seemed to me that he was liked by all!  We all had a score of fun times together during our "glory days," at good ole, 'PHS!'  Tony and I had an awesome time going to my junior, and his senior, prom, together, even as only close friends, and not, "real dates!" We doubled with two of our really good frends, Matt and Karen (one of my "BFF's).  Tony and I had a, brotherly/sisterly kind of relationship, for which I shall forever be grateful, because, I am confident that these types of gifts are from 'The Good Lord' (James 1:17)!  A few years later, Tony married one of our mutual friends, Lisa, and, I was blessed, and, honored, in that, they invited me to their lovely, small, backyard, wedding, with very few, family, and, friends.  They had a few children, he went into the military, and, they ended up being stationed overseas.  Unsurprisingly, he was a LEADER, as a serviceman, and, he died, because, after the 'tank,' of which he was in charge, was hit, he went back inside to, "possibly assist" any soldiers still inside (if I recall all of this correctly?), and it, heartbreakingly, was hit again, and, exploded, before he could exit it.  I'll never forget where I was sitting whenever I answered the phone call from his sweet, broken-hearted, wife, back in "1991," and, the sadness that filled me as she shared with me, through her tears, the devastating news, requesting prayer for her, their children, and, Tony's family, and, loved ones.  Needless to say, my heart also broke that day, as those terrible words entered my mind!  Many hearts were crushed with Tony's passing, however, he gave his life while doing something, in which he believed, and, to which he had honorably committed himself.  He knew that he had given his life to his country, which he obviously loved, when he signed up to serve it!  I'm certain he believed that, helping to secure our 'freedom' in 'America,' etc., to which he was contributing, was of utmost importance!  He loved people!  He loved his 'America,' and, everything for which it stands!  He bravely, lead, fought, and, died, for the people, their rights, the principles, ideals, liberties, and, for all of the wonderful things that are a part of this great nation.  Tony is a HERO, as are all of the soldiers who have died throughout the centuries, while serving this awesome nation!  This tributary to my friend, is a weak attempt to honor him, in comparison to the kind that he actually DESERVES!  Nevertheless, I, once again, say (write), "THANK YOU, TONY, for your service, and, magnificent sacrifice that, keeps on giving throughout the years!  Your memory serves as an example, and, an influence, showing all of us HOW we should attempt to live our lives, as GIVERS, like you were, loving and serving others, and, loving the 'USA,' by living honorably, day by day, appreciating things like freedom, the right to worship, and, a multitude of other great entities!"  Saying "thank you" shall never be enough, but, it still needs to be said!  It's important to me these days that, I continually choose to appreciate ALL that God has, put, and/or, allowed to be, in my life, especially gifts such as;  Salvation, friendship, freedom, etc., and, to express my thankfulness to GOD, and, to the people HE'S given me, also!  The younger, naive, silly, etc., me, took many things for granted, including loved ones, and, friends, like Tony!  However, I realize now, how very immeasurably valuable these gifts are, especially ones like my friend, and, HERO, Tony! John 15:13 says:  "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."  Tony, was a real friend, and, is a hero, to numerous people!  I really miss my friend!  Until next time, dear reader, I'll be, trying be a real friend, and, appreciating ALL of my GIFTS!...K.