All,

I have come to the realization (once again) of just how valuable this forum, and its members, are for me. More than just the sharing of information and opinion, y'all have been a refuge for me. Through my time in Baghdad, New York, and Australia, this forum has been there. It has been a place for me to go and escape my solitude. It has distracted me from the dangers and hardships I otherwise had to face. It has been a link back to my roots; to my home, my family, my friends, and a way of life that held great value to me, all of which I had to leave behind over two and a half years ago. This forum has given me a place to express a lot of my personal values and to share a lot of my personal experiences. In turn, you have also shared with me a lot of yourselves. Believe me, this is a big deal, and something I really appreciate beyond any words.

I am not one prone to many "Share the love" moments, as many of you may have come to understand about me and my style. Today, however, I am compelled to convey this, my gratitude, to the hosts of this forum, and to the members with whom I have shared so much, even though we have never really met.

Today, I will gladly accept a big dose of humility and freely admit that I may not be the easiest guy to "cuss and discuss" a lot of issues with, but I hope all of you have been able to recognize that in every response, whether in support of or contrary to your own positions, I have the greatest respect for all y'all. I've tried to make that point clear, but sometimes when I read my older posts, I am not so sure that comes out so clearly. So I am saying it now; all of you who take the time and make the effort to post here on a regular basis have my respect and my gratitude.

Anyone up for one of those "Mary Tyler Moore end of the series group hugs"?

I agree with every word you said. Great to have this forum with all of the members!!

Zen hug from Bluecimmers!

There with you, Benjammin. This group is my number one source of social interaction where I can be myself and not be ridiculed (much).

Manly hugs,
-Blast

I agree that this forum is both a valuable resource and haven.

I appreciate Doug and Company for providing it!

And thanks, Benjammin, for reminding us.

I recently started posting here, and never really made an introduction, and I am sure that I have yet to make anybody feel gratuitus, but I would like to say one thing about this forum and why I like it:

Even though we (for the most part) don't get into all the politics and emotional issues that lots of people are very passionate and vocal about, everybody respects everybody else. Other forums, especially survival or emergency preparedness related ones, are full of very vocal individuals that rather rudley make there position known on any given issue, and completley insult if not down right offend the individuals on the other side of the fence.

This very notion might be why it is so difficult for the vast majority of people who are into preparedness to be seen as reasonable, practicle and normal, because the 5% or so of the "crazy survivalists" (as the stereotypes lean to) give everybody else a bad rap.

Hope that made sense?

Oh well. I too would like to thank all those who make this a site that I check everyday. Wasn't it grandma that said "you learn something new everyday"? Guess this is one of the means to that end.

I agree, this is by far one of the most civilized forums that I've run across.IMO it all comes down to good Moderators. Keep up the good work guys.

Ditto the others... plus an observation that every day I come visit ETS, I seem to find out something new that I didn't know, but, probably should. That's a healthy thing for all of us, and it certainly helps keep the ego in check, and keep you humble.

Thanks all!

I offer a great BIG BEAR HUG to you Benjammin and to all the great memebrs of this site.

Thanks to all-
Pete

Warm fuzzies from ben.... weird.... But I'm not going to disagree with what you're saying, either.

Good moderators and the respect every one shows one another even when we disagree.

Ben,

Thank you.

I appreciate your insight and the input of everyone on the forums.

I've learned alot from ALL of y'all and look forward to learning even more.

Glad you're back on home soil.

Back at all of you with a big cyber group hug (and I'm not bashful about it).

Very well said, and very well deserved, benjammin. This forum has always been a very civilized, educational, and pleasant place to spend some time, at least since I have been here. Thank you very much to everyone for providing and contributing to this forum!