GIVING PROPER HONOR TO OUR MILITARY

It's "Freedom Day", as I like to label it, and we
who are still free owe a continuing debt to every
woman and man who has served in any capacity
in our military's ranks.
Having only served in "the Lord's army", I can
only imagine the privations and costs that these
true American patriots endure to maintain and
preserve the quality of life that I fear you and I
take for granted too often.
For example, to have to be away from one's
loved ones, both family and friends, for an extended
period of time must take an emotional toll on our
precious guardians! To be away for so long, not
seeing, hearing, touching those who we value and
love most has got to be traumatic. Those of us
who have never endured such stress need to pray for
and support our troops with our letters and gifts.
It doesn't matter where they are, or what their
MOS (job description) is, they have surrendered
the daily privileges that you and I take for granted,
namely sleeping in our own beds, having a choice
of breakfasts, going to school or work or club,
watching our favorite TV shows, reading the
newspapers or magazines that we prefer, etc.
AT WHAT COST FREEDOM?
Those precious souls that are on the front lines
of battle face even more sacrifices than those
listed above. Fearing injury or loss of their lives
daily! Obeying orders that they may not like
or understand or agree with. Being asked and
expected to take the lives of other human beings
that may or may not be their (our) enemies!
Seeing their comrades suffer the stress of the
war, not only from physical harm, but the
invisible emotional damage that will affect them
for their entire lives, and that has caused many
(thousands we've been told) to take their own
lives.
OH, THE HELL OF WAR!
Heat. Dirt. Sand. Sweat. Limited foods. Cots
or bunks to sleep on, if indeed they can sleep.
Noise of artillery and rifle fire. Enemies all
about, with the closest "friends" being your
fellow-soldier who lives in daily fear just as you
do! Limited contact with home and the rest of
the world. Uncertainty about your next day,
hour, minute, assignment! Wearing clothes
longer than you want to, shaving less often than
you've been used to, bathing and applying
body scents and deodorants infrequently.
AND WE TAKE THEM FOR GRANTED!
We must honor them. We must lift them up
in prayer daily! We must show them respect
when we pass them on the street or sit near
them in a public or private place! We should
send letters, cards, emails, and gifts as the
occasion presents itself. Phone calls and
pictures must help if we get the chance to
do so.
OUR MILITARY HAVE SAVED US TO
CELEBRATE ANOTHER "FREEDOM DAY"!
America is a great nation, and has been since
its inception. Let's hope, fight, and pray that
she stays GREAT! In spite of problems within
and troubles without, we still have a large
majority of the populace that loves its country,
and who do not want us to lose those precious
rights and blessings that we've enjoyed for
233 years!
Freedom of speech! Freedom of assembly!
Freedom of worship! Freedom to bear arms!
Freedom to vote! Freedom of ownership!
EVERY GOD-GIVEN FREEDOM THAT HAS
BEEN OURS IS BEING THREATENED, AND
IT'S FOR THOSE FREEDOMS THAT OUR
GREAT ARMED FORCES HAVE FOUGHT
AND DIED FOR OVER TWO CENTURIES!
In all of our celebrating and commemorating,
with our picnics, family get-togethers,
fireworks and concerts, etc., let every one of
us take moments to individually and collectively
GIVE THANKS, HONOR, AND PRAY FOR
EVERY MEMBER OF OUR MILITARY!
God continue to bless America!