We celebrate Memorial Day. This is the day we thank God for those who have fought and died for our freedom. Let the politicians know that they are not heros. Those who gave us this great country are true heros. Congress, good or bad leaders, have not, and will not, care about us. If they did, they would not have made this country what it is today. They think this is acceptable. The founding fathers did not intend for those who run this country to only care about re-election, and themselves (can you believe they actually vote for their own raise?). I won’t go into details of my feelings here.
I think it’s sad that mainstream media hardly acknowledges that there are those serving on foreign soil as I write this. This is not news anymore. What those brave men and women do for liberty should always be news to true Americans.
My Grandfather fought in the World War I in the Navy. My father fought in World War II also in the Navy. Perhaps that was why I served in the military. Neither my Grandfather or Father, nor I was asked to give the supreme sacrifice, even though we were willing. All three of us volunteered and served during a conflict. We knew what could have been asked of us.
The following letter was written by PO1 Steven Voight of SEAL Team Eight two days before he was killed in an SH-60 helicopter crash in the Persian Gulf on 25 October 1996. This letter captures the essence of Steve and typifies the hours and months of the distinctively unglamorous and unappreciated side of a SEAL’s life on deployment. It was read by Steve’s sister, Martha, at the NAB Little Creek Base Chapel on 6 November 1996:
“Alarm goes off. I wake up. It’s 0600. Same time I woke up yesterday. And the day before. Actually since June 28, almost 120 days ago. Four months. That’s OK, though, because if anyone in the Persian Gulf tries to interfere with the policies of my sacred country, the United States of America, I’ll be there to stop them. Two months ago, it was anyone in the Mediterranean. Actually, we could stop anyone in the world.
“Breakfast time. Forty-five minute wait in line. Every meal is the same. Stand in line sweating. That’s OK, though. There are people in my country who neither know nor care that their freedom is being protected at this very moment. That too is OK, because I do know. I’m doing it.
“Go to work. Same routine day in and day out.It could be compared to being in jail except that the work we do is too hard and too dangerous to impose upon a common criminal. It would be considered inhumane. That’s OK, though, I understand freedom and the sacrifices that have to be made for freedom to be achieved. The life we live at the cost of our military members cannot have a price put on it. If you saw our paychecks, you would understand.
“Dinner time. Chicken and rice again. That’s OK. The opportunities we have in the States are limitless. There is nothing that any person cannot achieve if he/she has the heart. They don’t have those opportunities in the parts I’ve visited. They don’t even have Taco Bell.”
I hope we will all remember, especially on days set aside like this, those who gave their lives for us. The ultimate sacrifice was given by only one person when Christ atoned for our lives. But those who fought to try to protect liberty should always be thanked. I hope this day can be more than a day off from work, and a time to bar-b-que. Also, thank a veteran who served this country in a way not many others serve.
George S Patton, a fondly remembered General once said:
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”
Thank you those who served and died. Thank you those who served. And thank you for those who are serving now.
Have a memorable Memorial Day
Semper Paratus
Burn
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