| Prior Date | Back to Archive Index | Next Date |
|
~~~~~~~ WITandWISDOM™ - June 10, 1999 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: "In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity." - Melanchthon, Friend of Martin Luther, Home Book of Quotations, p. 242 (Garrie F. Williams) ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: ARMY (or any branch of the Military) WEDDING VOWS: Dear family and friends, we are gathered here today in the sight of God and the Department of the Army, to witness this exchange of vows, and see the love that these two dedicated, loving people have for one another. "Wilt thou, __________, take ___________(who was once referred to as the "dependent"), as your family member, to dwell together in so far as the Department of the Army will permit?" "Wilt thou love her, comfort her, via the postal service or over the phone, make sure she knows where the commissary, PX, and church are, and what time she is scheduled to use the laundry room the day she arrives, wherever you are stationed?" "Wilt thou attempt to tell her more than 24 hours in advance that you will be leaving for two weeks, beginning the next morning?" This especially applies to the years you will live in a foreign country! "Wilt thou ____________, take this soldier as thy wedded husband, knowing that he is depending upon you to be the perfect (well almost) Army wife, running the household as you see fit, and being nice to the commander's wife?" Furthermore, you understand that your life with your husband (little that you may have together) will not be normal, that you may have to explain to your children, not once, but twice, and more often in the same day, that mothers do have husbands, and that children do have daddy's, and that the picture of the man on the refrigerator is not the milkman, but the same individual who tucks them in at 2200 hours, long after they are asleep. This soldier is their daddy, who loves them very, very much. "Wilt thou love, respect and wait for him, preparing his favorite cookies and pictures of yourself and the kids, so he can remember what you look like?" And last but not least, put on the outside of your door his "Welcome home" sign when he's due to arrive?" "I, ____,Take thee____, as my independent wife, from 1900 to 2200 hours or as long as allowed by my Commanding Officer (subject to change without notice), for better or worse, earlier or later, near or far, and I promise to look at the pictures you send me, maybe not when they get to me in the field, but before I turn the lights out. I will also send a letter, if time permits, and if not, to somehow, some way, make the time." "I, _________, take thee,_________as my live-in/live-out husband, realizing that your comings and goings and 0330 staff meetings are normal (although absurd to me) and part of your life as a soldier. I promise not to be shocked or taken by surprise when you inform me that, although we've just arrived at our new duty station, we will be leaving within the month. Yes, I'll have you as my husband as long as while your are away, my allotment comes through regularly, and that you leave me a current power of attorney and the checkbook at all times. I am a family member and proud of it, dependent upon myself and my resources. Although I miss you when you are away, I know I can handle whatever comes across my path." "Now then, let no man or woman put asunder what God and the Department of the Army have brought together. The Army hereby issues you this lovely, dedicated, independent woman, knowing that she'll be an asset not only to your marriage, but also to the mission of the United States Army, which is, as you all know, to remain in a state of "Readiness." By the authority vested in the Bible, elaborated in the regulation and subject to current directives concerning the aspects of marriage in the Army, you are now a Soldier with a Family Member. Best Wishes and good Luck." (E-zine: Pakistani Jokes© Mailto:Pakistani-Jokeslist-subscribe@onelist.com) ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: A sad Texan once prayed, "Lord, I wish you would make it rain - not so much for me, I've seen it - but for my 7-year-old." (E-zine: FAST EDDIE'S FUNNIES http://recommend-it.com/l.z.e?s=154533) Q. Did you hear about the man who fell into an upholstery machine? A. He's fully recovered. (Chris Gill via E-zine: TERESA'S JOKERS http://www.eGroups.com/list/jo-jokers/) ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: Why do mosquitoes bite some people more often than others? . . . If you're unlucky enough to become a bug buffet while outdoors, you might notice that the person right next to you seems to have been spared. Are those folks more intimidating to insects, or are they just naturally unappealing? In a way, the people who aren't being bit are somewhat repulsive. Scientists have found that the leading factor in attracting mosquitoes is body odor. Those odors are more than skin deep - they vary from person to person depending on individual body chemistry. A mosquito has a very sensitive sense of smell and may express a personal preference by getting too close for comfort. That's why most repellents mask your odor or coat you in a whole new fragrance. Source: WHAT ARE HYENAS LAUGHING AT, ANYWAY? By David Feldman (E-zine: MAILBITS.COM http://www.MailBits.com/Trivia) What is the largest single building on the face of the earth? . . . Answer tomorrow. |