I've been thinking about Veteran's Day, and reading a lot of books about terrorism (my 20 year old son is a Marine and I'm trying to educate myself). I have a lot of patriotism in my family that I hadn't truly recognized until just yesterday. My late father was in the army (as was his brother, my Uncle Jack), my husband and his brother were in the Navy (and their father, my father-in-law served in the army), their sister Melanie served in the army, the boys' Uncle Herb was a Marine, I have a nephew in the Army (Michael Schommer) as well as some friends I acquired through my sons (Billy Ellison, Bryce McNeely and Michael Shephardson), another young friend is about to graduate from MCRD as a Marine (James Monroe), I have a nephew and a friend in the Airforce (Mitchel Bayes and Jeff Fortner), my former boss Michael Fassio and many more who served our country whose lives have touched the fringes of my own.
As I read "The Sand Box", "Heros Among Us" and "Fear Less" it made me realize that what these people do is not only for our country and the freedom that is our birthright, but they are truly trying to do God's work for all countries. Each day, they work His mission by showing the world what liberty, freedom and peace really means! It is the desire of all people. They endure and train and perform for the sake of others. They all sacrifice for us by serving and putting our needs before their own - and some sacrifice all by giving their lives to the task. The passion, dedication and courage they exemplify has humbled me in a great way. I'm so grateful to each of them, so thankful for every man and woman who are the sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers and comrades in arms with brothers and sisters from all walks of life that make America beautiful.
My prayer is that God would open our eyes to our own duty, here at home. That we wouldn't be complacent or callous about terrorism and war. That we don't spout opinions tainted by media as our own but will instead educate ourselves and be aware with a keen mind and heart. Though we don't always agree with it, God in His infinite wisdom can use the wicked things in life for the good purpose of all.
I pray that none harden their hearts to veterans or military personnel but instead, give them the praise, thanks and support they deserve from their country and their people. For the injured and broken, let us do everything we can to help them live the rest of their life with dignity and honor. They do this for you and me! And for those who grieve and have suffered loss, my prayer is that God provides you with a covering of strength to endure the days ahead. May He offer you peace and the knowledge that your fallen hero is in the hands of Christ our Savior who loves them even more then you. He knows what giving the ultimate sacrifice for saving others is all about. They wear a special crown for what they did in the line of duty.
