God Bless the USA

Sung by Lee Greenwood

today, memorial day is a day
of remembrance, it is a day
we remember all who have
fought for the freedoms of
our country from WW1 and
beyond, today we thank them!

mek has written our memorial
day blog, she shares a story
with us, that is dear to her heart


GOD BLESS THE USA

by mek in az

I don’t know about you guys, but this song always makes me tear up. As I have shared before, my father dedicated his life (and sacrificed his family) for his country and now rests peacefully in Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.

I wanted to share a story that I have a hard time relaying to people, because I can never finish it without crying… (So please forgive me – I get passionate about this kind of stuff)..

In October of 2003, I was sitting in the Tucson International Airport waiting to catch a flight to Virginia to attend my uncle’s funeral. All of a sudden, the terminal was full of young men and women in uniform. I knew instantly that these young people were being deployed, which made me say a little prayer that they all be safe and return unharmed. (Yes, I started crying – heck, I was an emotional wreck anyway)… I just happened to overhear a conversation between several of the young men and I want to share that with you.

These men were talking about saying goodbye to their families and seeing life thru the eyes of their children. The one that stuck with me the most and really got me thinking – was about the four year old twins that were SO upset that daddy would not be there for Halloween, the mom had made them special costumes and Daddy wasn’t going to get to see them and go collect candy – and the young man went on to say – what his children didn’t understand was that after Halloween would be their birthday, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas – but thru a child’s eyes, they just look to one event at a time – they don’t “see” the future.. (Oh, to be young again, right??!!)

By this time – I was a total basket case – and one of the soldiers looked at me and said, “ma’am are you okay” ( I hate that he called me ma’am – but we were brought up that way) –and I said – don’t worry about me – I just want to thank you for all you do and be safe. He replied, “Ma’am, I will be okay. I’m going over there to fight for your freedom and whether I come home like this (and waved his hands up and down his torso) or in a box – this is what I signed up to do? It’s all good” And with that – their flight was boarding.

I have no idea what happened to any of those young men and women. Whether they got to spend another Halloween, birthday or Christmas with their families again or if they came home in “a box” and are buried in a National Cemetery like my father is.

All over the country, a boy scout troop or two spent this week putting our Nations Flag on each and every headstone to honor our fallen heroes and TAPS will be played at sunset.(can’t listen to that either). So, while everyone is enjoying a day off of work, cooking out, playing volleyball or swimming in the backyard, I ask that you please take a moment to say a little thank you and a prayer for all those that have lost their lives so that we can have the freedoms we do today.

Thank you for indulging me today – and on a lighter note – what is everyone going to do today?

****************