Each year I search for something that will focus on our Country, our Troops and this Memorial Day holiday. This year this one just jumped out at me.

“America’s fighting men and women sacrifice much to ensure that our great nation stays free. We owe a debt of gratitude to the soldiers that have paid the ultimate price for this cause, as well as for those who are blessed enough to return from the battlefield unscathed.” ~ Allen Boyd

I believe that there are several things that we should all do this Memorial Day (and for that matter every day moving forward). First, when we pray we should include our Country and our Troops in that prayer. Second, remember all of our friends and family members that have served our Country in the past, let them know that you appreciate their protecting our freedom. And lastly, if you have a friend or family member, or if you see someone in uniform, a member of the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy or Marine Corps, take a moment to thank them for their service and the sacrifices that they make to protect the Freedom of not only our great Country, but the world.

Over this past year we had a Grandson deployed in South Korea. We not only worried about him, but our son Bill and his wife Julia, along with Taylor’s sister Ashtin. It is hard on families when a love one is in the military. It is even harder when they are thousands of miles from home. We got to see and hear the worry and pain of not being able to see him firsthand. Brenda and I prayed unceasingly for him and our family. We prayed for him to be safe and for all his family to be comforted during this trying time. He has just returned from this duty station and is now in Ft. Benning Georgia attending Army Ranger School, so our prayers will continue for him and the family.

Rob, our daughter’s husband, retired at the end of 2013 from the US Coast Guard after 22 years of service. During the time he served he was stationed all over this great country, moving every 3 or so years. Before being assigned to his last boat he spent a year in Bahrain supporting our peace efforts in the Middle East.so we get to view the sacrifices members of our military make first hand. Over his years of service we have had the privilege to see special things that the Grandchildren did that Rob missed because of his service to our country. Things like a first step, a smile or an accomplishment, things that have occurred in their lives that were of great importance, which those that chose to protect us and our great country do not get to see.

Our niece Cortney, who is in the Marines, is completing her training for an overseas deployment. My brother and the family are about to face having to deal with that. We are praying for her safety and security and for help and understanding for the family.

I also understand, as all of us must, that these are not isolated cases. There are thousands of families experiencing the same things every day. There are thousands of men and women that each day get up with one great mission before them; to defend the rights and freedoms that we each enjoy, to defend this great and wonderful land that we call AMERICA.

Let us not forget them or those in the past. Especially, let us not forget those that made the ultimate sacrifice for this Country and for freedom across the world. Make sure that each of them knows and that their families know that we appreciate what they do. Also, in all of this, please don’t forget the brave Police and Firemen of this country. I will always remember the vivid images of them rushing towards the Twin Towers on September 11, not away from the danger, but into it as they attempted to rescue those people inside the buildings.

I know as I celebrate this Memorial Day I will remember those that serve this country and the world, those that protect the freedoms that we all enjoy. With that I want to say a special THANK YOU to Rob, Taylor and Cortney and all of those that serve our country. Hopefully, you will do the same. May God bless them all and may God bless America!!

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