Love for the Red, White & Blue

I love the 4th of July. It's a time to reflect on the sacrifices made for us on a daily basis so we can sleep well at night. One thing that Pam and I have always shared is a STRONG sense of patriotism. We've both got family members that were in the service, but I don't think that's even where our deep-seeded love for our country and our freedom comes from. I'm not exactly sure where it stems from, but we've got it.

I thank God for the men and women that have always sacrificed to serve in our military and maintian this country's freedoms. They give up civilian life and the liberties that come with that, they give up time spent with their families...holidays, birthdays, their kid's recitals and ballgames, they give up their personal comforts to crawl around in deserts, jungles, etc. in extreme temperatures and weather all for the sake of keeping their country safe. The country that they love.....that they are willing to die to protect. They fight for me. They fight for you. They fight for our children.

No matter who the president is, what your political beliefs are, what your religion is, we should ALWAYS support our troops. They deserve our support in every way possible. They are the ones willing to do what so many of us aren't. They are the picture of sacrifice. The next time that you exercise the freedom to walk in the store and buy a loaf of bread.......one that you didn't have to stand in line for 5 hours to get like they do in some countries....pause and give thanks for our troops. Pray for their safety. Pray for their families. The next time you're sitting in your backyard enjoying the evening air, thank God for our forefathers....the ones that had the vision and the courage to step out on our own....out from under England's rule. The ones that originally fought, bled and died for our freedom. The freedom that we so easily take for granted.

Patriotism should not be reserved only for days such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Independence Day. It should be part of who you are. It should be something you are always aware of and thankful for. It should be shown in your actions. Get online and find a website that lets you send care packages and cards to troops around the world. Let them know you appreciate them. Let them know they will never be forgotten, and their sacrifice is never in vain. When you go to bed tonight, say a prayer of thanks for the peacefulness you'll undoubtedly be surrounded by. Thank God that you don't have the explosions of mortars casting a glow in your bedroom window, and that your children don't have to huddle in fear under their covers because bombs are going off a half a mile away. Thank God for the country you are so blessed to live in. It's the greatest one on Earth. :)

Quote For The Day:

"Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure...than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt