A Message From Ray About The Men And Women Who Serve Our Country

They're so great.....

This really got me because my cousin just had her baby and got married and her husband is stationed in Iraq...The baby is only 3 months old and her husband's been over there since right after their wedding...
Ray is such a sweet/thoughtful!!!

-Ellie

*squees over toro*
My dad was a soldier in Iraq.

Awwww ray is a awesome sweet person! <3

That's so awesome. I mean, technically if this was last week, it was supposed to be during MCR's break. I wonder why they decided to do this? For fun? Being nice? In the area at the time? I assume since he said "we" everyone else from MCR went too. I wonder why they decided to have Ray write the message? (I know none of these questions will be answered but I feel like posting them anyway.)

Although I do have an answer for the last one. It's because if Gerard did it everyone would be saying it was a publicity stunt.

Double post

I like how they don't fold in to the normal opinion that the war is wrong. They know that we're fighting for freedom, and support those who were injured in the call of duty.

that is so awsome!!! i love mcr cause of their swwetness!

Easter Davy:

A MESSAGE FROM RAY ABOUT THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE OUR COUNTRY

Last week we visited the brave men and women at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. We got to spend some time and talked with a few of the patients there. These people have been through so much, losing loved ones, use of their legs and arms, being away for months at a time from their families. Yet they continue to have a great, positive outlook on life.

To me all these men and women who serve are real heroes, reminders of how lucky we are to enjoy the lives we have.

I remember when I was in 6th grade, writing to a soldier who was stationed in the Gulf as part of a school project. I was so excited when I got a letter back, reading how he appreciated the letter, and how good it felt to know people cared back at home.

I know you guys are great at writing letters and showing us your appreciation every day, so we're asking you all for a favor. Take the time and visit a local Vets Hospital, write a letter, send a card or balloons or flowers or whatever it may be. Show these men and women in service who risk their lives every day your appreciation, and that you care.

---taken from My Chemical Romance Official Site

WOW....This was just awesome to read....thanks for posting it!!

As a veteran myself (U.S. Navy, 1994-199, I SO appreciate Ray's kind sentiments. He is SO right, too, you guys. When you're on the battlefield, stripped away from your family, seeing death on every side of you, seeing your comrades whom you know as brothers/sisters falling RIGHT BESIDE you, getting grotesquely maimed or killed, well, hard doesn't even begin to describe it....but when you feel that the country you're fighting for doesn't even appreciate, or is totally against, what you are doing, this makes it even HARDER.

I was on an ammo distribution ship.....we basically transported missiles to carriers in the middle of the ocean....so I never saw any actual combat, but I've heard horror stories, and I've personally served with guys who were driven insane (LITERALLY) by the conditions they were exposed to.
A lot of these guys in combat literally go mad, and who can really blame them?! They've been through absolute HELL on Earth.
Recovering from this can be just as hellish as actual combat, and many of these guys require years of therapy to overcome the horrors.
When you're in that type of a stressful situation, the loneliness and seperation anxiety can be ten times as crippling, and to think that your fellow citizens are against you, well, that just makes it a million times harder.

You guys, these people need our support....it's lonely on the battlefield, and a word of encouragement can bring a glimmer of hope to an otherwise desolate situation!!! They are courageous, strong men and women, and the fact that they are willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of patriotism, well, they deserve and should have our COMPLETE support and encouragement.

I'm sorry for going on my soapbox here, but this is something that I am fairly passionate about. There is something about being in the military that bonds a person to other miltary members, even if we don't personally serve with them.
Whenever I go to the V.A., I feel such a commonality with these guys....whether they served in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, or Iraq. I have seen too many of these fine people fall, and it is very sad.

Ray is absolutely right, and God bless him for using his influence in such a positive manner.

Eclipse:

I'm sorry for going on my soapbox here, but this is something that I am fairly passionate about. There is something about being in the military that bonds a person to other miltary members, even if we don't personally serve with them.
Whenever I go to the V.A., I feel such a commonality with these guys....whether they served in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, or Iraq. I have seen too many of these fine people fall, and it is very sad.

Ray is absolutely right, and God bless him for using his influence in such a positive manner.

It's cool- I know what you mean. I have been serving for just under a year now- operational (meaning I completed training) for about 5 months now, and I find myself automatically relating to fellow servicemen and women. Also, and I know this may sound quite sappy, but I credit my favorite bands for keeping me motivated throughout training- which has been the hardest part for me so far (deploying in a few months...), as well as helping me adjust to the drastic changes in my life.

I lived in the same house for over 20 years until I joined the Air Force just before Christmas of last year. Since then I spent 6 months in Texas (realize that I am from Chicago), and since then I have been stationed in England. The one constant has been music. During basic training and Tech School PT, I caught myself singing 30 STM and MCR. I saw Flyleaf and New London Fire perform while I was in Tech school, and I have already seen 30 STM here in England and will be seeing The Used and Rise Against in November with a possiblility of seeing MCR 2 weeks before that. I sing every chance I get- and by doing so I have met some of my closest friends here. These bands help me retain myself, keep me sane and happy, but at the same time remind me to believe in myself.

And as for the issue of the war- well I'm not allowed to state any personal opinions on the war itself- I fight the fight because it's my job (and before any vets or servicemen give me crap for being in the "chair force"- note this, Security Forces.) And I'm glad to have the support from people at home, esspecially people that I respect and admire, or people that I don't even know. Because it's easy enough to get support from people you know, but it's a lot more authentic to get support from a complete stranger.

"I'm not afraid to walk this world alone"- but it's nice to have someone there for you.

Okay- Who wants the soapbox next?