Monday, May 25, 2009

GOD BLESS AMERICA!


Thank you, Daddy. I love you.


Today is a special day for Americans. It's the day we have chosen to honor our heroes-both living and dead-who have fought on the battlefields of the world to give us our freedom. It's the day we remember those before us who fought in the wars of the past to the wars of today, from Lexington and Concord to Iraq and Afghanistan.


There aren't words enough to express our gratitude to them. And in giving Americans their freedom, these brave men and women also fought for the freedom of other countries. Many forget that and condemn America for it's freedom-fighting.


My Grandmother Wilson had five sons fighting in WWII at one time: from Pearl Harbor to Normandy. The worries she might have carried with her during those years! Wars are fought at home, also. In the mind and heart. And one of my proudest possessions is the flag that covered my Dad's casket-a gift from our nation, along with the Gideon Bible presented to him when he left the States for Burma.


War is different these days. A war can be over in a fleeting moment with just the push of a button. Troops can be transported from one place to another in a matter of hours-not weeks and months as it used to be. Wars are often fought with words. Women now have a place in the military. We may watch day-to-day progress on television. Photos are sent home to us by cell phone.


Be that as it may, fighting for freedom is a noble cause. It is an honor for one to be able to fight for his or her country in whatever way.


And it is a dishonor to these fine people for another to burn our flag-even though it is a right granted to them, fought for by our soldiers and given by our government. It is an even greater dishonor not to be willing to defend these rights. I'm a little old fashioned: I truly believe this is the greatest nation and if a person is not willing to defend this country and it's people, perhaps that person belongs in another place.


I'm proud to be an American. And I thank God for those who have been willing to put their lives on the line to defend my country. I love America. I love my home states: Alabama and Louisiana.

And I love my Dad and his brothers who left comfort and family to fight for our cause. God bless America. Long may her flag fly in beauty and freedom. Long may we be grateful.


4 comments:

Donna said...

Yes,sweet Marian, GOD BLESS AMERICA! My dad came home from Korea in a body cast. His back was never the same. I was born in a Naval hospital, the same one he came home to.
I am thankful to live in a country where I am free to complain about what I don't like and esp. free to vote to make change happen for what I don't like.

Marian said...

Thanks, kiddo. Well put. I think I'm probably going to cry all afternoon.

Julie said...

A very moving post Marian, lots of love {{and hugs}} to you on this special day.

Yoyo said...

What a marvelous post!! I am proud to say that every male member, and a few female members, of my family have served this great nation's military. This day honors them all. Thank you to all those who have fought and died defending our right to be free, speak out and vote for change. Absolutely great post Marian.