Posts
Remembering the Sacrifices of Our Military VeteransI found this photo to be particularly moving.
I was torn somewhere between tears and disgust.
It is often said that the opposite of LOVE is not hate, but rather APATHY and INDIFFERNECE.
Love and hate are both passionate emotions...and apathy and indifference are the opposite.
As I watch my 14 year old son, becoming quite a Young Man, wear his military uniform for the Air Force ROTC, I recall the times I spent with him when we homeschooling discussing patriotism.
Christopher really understood and took to heart, even as a first grade child, the importance of involvement in being an American citizen. By the time he was in 4th grade he had personally written a letter to President George Bush about the federal court in California that ruled the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag was unconstitutional. He asked for the President to get involved and protect our rights to have UNDER GOD in our pledge. Christopher got a personal letter signed by the president back in the mail.
So as I look at this photo and see the apathy and indifference of the crowd, it breaks my heart. There is one man who seems to remember and recall a pledge he took as a child, as a veteran, as an American. It meant something to him. It was just 5 short years ago, after 9-11, that the FLAG meant something to Americans. There were even reports of people stealing flags because there was such ahigh demand for American flags that all retailers and manufacturers were sold out and could not keep up with the demand.
My how things have changed in just 5 years. I choose to remember and honor those who have chosen to serve in our military forces. When I say the pledge of allegiance, it really MEANS something to me. I have raised my children to know and believe that there are really only 2 good reasons to lay down your life.
1. For your faith in Jesus Christ. Choose death over renouncing your personal faith in Christ.
2. For the protection of America which gives us our freedoms to worship freely, freedom of speech, and our being a sovreign nation.
For all the great causes that are in the world today, I still find that there are really only 2 worth dying for.
I would like to thank those of you who have served our country to give us the freedoms we have.
Thank you, David Kerr
Thank you, Stan King
Thank you, Harry Huff
Thank you, Mel Sampley
Thank you, Mark Gomez
Thank you, Mark Bowman
Thank you, Pat Conner
Thank you, Jack Conner
Thank you, Russ Brown
...and for any I may have forgotten...THANK YOU!
It is the VETERAN , not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN , not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN , not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN , not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN , not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN , not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN who salutes the flag,
and the VETERAN who serves under the flag.
who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN , not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN , not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN , not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN , not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN , not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN who salutes the flag,
and the VETERAN who serves under the flag.
The Oath of Allegiance has no expiration date.
And God help us all when the American Flag becomes just a form of entertainment in a parade.
God BLESS those who honor and know the significance of the flag to our country and our veterans!
Go HUG a veteran today and say THANK YOU!!
Love, Dawn
4 comments:
Dawn,
This is absolutely moving. I would like to send this on to my father, a veteran of the Vietnam war.
Michele
Someone once said that " A country is only as great as the blood that was shed to defend it" I believe that it is true, and I also believe that America is a awesome country. But How much greater is the Kingdom of God now that Jesus Christ shed his blood for it? I agree the blood of a fallen comrade in arms will always be the voice that cries out "FREEDOM" over this country, and the day that it no longer cires out will be the day we stand before our LORD and we will be crying out freedom from the enemy, blessings, stan
This is moving and upsetting all at once. The only person who had a good reason to stay seated had enough honor NOT to do so.
Thanks for recognizing my dh too. He was surprised to see his own name listed there.
What a moving post. You are so right. It also saddens me how people have forgotten the flag, 9/11 and their patriotism in 5 short years. We have always proudly flown a flag at our house. I plan on raising my 2 girls (2 and 1) to love this country and most importantly to appreciate it and the Veterans who have both given and maintain our freedom. Thank you for sharing!
Post a Comment