Happy Birthday to Colonel Mark Prine

To our family, Mark is known as well, just Mark.....and Uncle Mark. He is the greatest husband (almost 20 years) to Judy, the best father to Caleb and Mary Grace (he is involved in ALL of their school activities), greatest son to his parents, and was Weezer's favorite son-in-law.

He is the picture of a true Southern Gentleman, and is one of the most hospitable people you will ever meet. Our family is truly blessed to have Mark........but, YOU are also truly blessed that Mark is among us. How you ask?

Mark is a colonel in the Mississippi Army National Guard. He works full time for the United States Army, wearing an army suit everyday to work. He is currently in his last year of "war college."

He served his country overseas and was awarded a bronze star for his outstanding service. He also worked with the Mississippi soldiers with security on the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina.

We love him as our husband, father, uncle, and in-law. However, we are also very, very proud to say, "That soldier is part of our family!"

The poem below is our tribute to Mark on his birthday.

A Soldier

There is discipline in a soldier, you can see it when he walks,

There is honor in a soldier, you can hear it when he talks,

There is courage in a soldier, you can see it in his eyes,
There is loyalty in a soldier, that he will not compromise.

There is something in a soldier that makes him stand apart,
There is strength in a soldier that beats from his heart.

A soldier is not a title any man can be hired to do,

a soldier is the soul of that man deep inside of you.

A soldier's job isn't finished after an 8 hour day or a 40 hour week,

a soldier is always a soldier, even when he sleeps.

A soldier serves his country first and his life is left behind,

a soldier has to sacrifice what comes first in a civilians mind.

If you are a civilian - I am saying this to you, next time you see a soldier remember what they do! A soldier is the reason our land is 'home of the free', a soldier is the one that is brave, protecting you and me.

If you are a soldier - I am saying this to you, thank God for every soldier,

thank God for what you do!

Author Unknown