Remembering...

To all my friends and family that have served, are serving, or are going to serve in the military: My deepest appreciation and sincerest thanks to you for your faithfulness to our country. Not just today, a day of remembrance for those affected by 9/11, but for everyday that you provide us a safe and free place to live. Your undying devotion and your loyalty to your country will never go unforgotten. I walk out of my house on Sunday to go to church where ever I want to, and for that I thank you. I can send my son to any school I choose, and for that I thank you. I can voice my opinion to someone without fear, and for that I thank you. I can participate in any election I chose to, and for that, I thank you. You sacrifice your time, your family’s time, your life for me! And for that I thank you. We as American’s take so much for granted and breeze through each day as if it is owed to us. We take the time to honor our military on Veteran’s Day or Labor Day or July 4th but it is something that should be prominent to us every day. You leave your homes, not knowing exactly when you will see your family again, not knowing if you will make it back alive, not knowing what will happen…all so I can live in a free country. You are courageous, strong, loyal, and true to the colors of our flag. Forever I will be indebted to you.

To all my friends and family that have a loved one that has served, is still serving, or is going to serve in the military: My deepest appreciation and heartfelt thank you for the sacrifices you make for America as well. You send your sons, daughters, husbands, fathers, wives, and mothers away, not knowing when you’ll see them again or not knowing if you’ll ever see them again, just so I can live safe and free. You tolerate the war protesters and the menial compensation you receive so that I can have the freedoms I do. I will forever be indebted to your service as well.

To everyone who has ever lost a loved one because of a war or service: I cannot begin to tell you the undying gratitude I have for you. My heart is overwhelmed with appreciation for you and inundated with grief for your loss. The selflessness of your family and loved one is incomparable to anything I can think of. Without the deep, unconditional love that has been offered for Americans, we would be living a life of fear and uncertainty. Our country seems to be more focused on other issues that surround us such as the economy, health care and unemployment. But let this fact remain: we love our soldiers and their families - We love our country and We love our freedom and NOBODY can take that away from us.

Remembering today, tomorrow, and always-

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends-Jn 15:13