Thursday, June 16, 2016

Memorial Day

  "Happy Memorial Day" is not the proper greeting.  I truly did reflect on the fallen.  I did not attend any ceremonies but spent the day with my family.  I wrote down the names of my fallen brothers and said a prayer for each of them and their families.  I could deal with it for forty five names but then the emotion started to overwhelm me. 
  I am sure that most, if not all, of my brothers would agree that the reason they fell was to lift us up.  To kiss my wife and family, to celebrate the day and feast upon the blessings of our great nation. 
  I know a veteran who served in the US Navy in WWII during the liberation of the Philippines.  He left home for "the duration."  My wife's grandfather was beheaded by the Japanese during the occupation.  If DK had not done his part it is likely that my wife and I never would have met.  Thank you.  I am privileged to know him.  There are thousands that had as much of an impact that I do not know.  Thank you.

  I try to live my life and raise my children to recognize the power of ideas.  The US Constitution and Declaration of Independence spell out great truths.  Individual humans are important.  The idea that we can live without a king was quite shocking.  An armed freeman terrifies despots and tyrants.  It is distressing that the public seems concerned with bathrooms, gorillas and celebrity gossip rather than justice.  Our external enemies are cowards hiding behind women and children unwilling to meet in uniform on the field of battle.  Our internal enemies are apathy and selfishness. 

  Pray for peace, pray for our country.  Thank God that we have brave souls willing to fight for us.