On this day, I'd like to commemorate two very different Veterans. I have met neither one. Yet, each one serves our country and sacrificed much for my freedom and safety. One is currently serving in Iraq. The other is buried in a cemetery in Iowa.
The first one, I saw on the pages of a newspaper article back in March of 2005. His face blazed across the photos, and my (then) eight-year-old daughter decided she wanted to write a letter to him. When he wrote back, my children tipped the envelope over to see if any sand fell out. They are too young to truly appreciate what he has been through just to be able to serve in the military, let alone what he must do every day in Iraq. But they pray for this soldier every day, and in their own way, I see them appreciate his service for them and our country. My daughter calls him "her special friend," and he serves with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment out of Colorado Springs, Colorado. I'd like to share a paragraph from the most recent letter we've received from him.
"We should be a little over half way through this year long rotation and with the cooler temperatures come an increased longing for home. We are mindful however that we still have a mission to accomplish and we are working diligently to ensure that our time here has been well spent. Our hope is to leave this place a little better than it was when we arrived."
How can you not be proud to be protected by a man such as this? Please remember Captain Adams and his men in your prayers.
The second Veteran I'd like to tell you about was a 22 year old Iowa Army National Guardsman from a small town in Iowa. His unit was providing security for government and nonmilitary organizations in Afghanistan. This young man's Humvee was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire, and he gave his life for you and me and countless others on November 1, 2004.
My family bought a US flag from a "Healing Field" that was in our town in September, and we received, at random, the flag commemorating this young soldier. Upon writing to his parents, we received the nicest note from his father, which I would like to share.
"My wife and I will gladly let you fly that flag any time you want. Treat it with the respect it deserves, not only for James, for that flag also represents our country.
"Don't let the media get you down. We talked to James regularly while he was 'over there.' He told us of all the good we are doing, people smiling about how they now have a say in what happens, schools, hospitals, etc... In other words, KEEP THE RESOLVE! James knew that.
"Bless you, from one patriot to another."
Please pray for the family of this young soldier. God bless these courageous and humble Americans. May we never forget their sacrifices and may we always do what we can to keep our country free and great!
"You are the leaven which binds together the entire fabric of our national system of defense.
Duty, Honor, Country.
This does not mean that you are warmongers. On the contrary, the soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.
Duty, Honor, Country."
from Army General Douglas MacArthur's farewell address to the cadets at West Point
May 12, 1962
2 comments:
Wonderful post! Anybody who has or is serving in the military needs our support and prayers! My husband served in Vietnam in Air Rescue with the AF. Those men didn't get a round of applause, when they came home. But, he came home to AL by himself, and he got the warmest welcome from ME and his family - which mattered most.
My prayers are with all the soldiers in Iraq.
Barbara, Thanks to your husband for serving in Viet Nam, and thanks to you for holding down the fort back here at home! It was a shame how we treated our returning soldiers in that war, but I'm glad your husband got a wonderful welcome at your house.
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