A Tribute To Our Veterans

“We have no government…capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge…would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other ~ John Adams.”

Monday, November 11, 2019, is Veterans Day. Young men and women sign on the line to serve our country every day; they also raise their hand, take an oath on the bible to defend our country from the enemy, both foreign and domestic.

 In 2001 my oldest son took that oath. We were in a time of peace when he enlisted in the army. Nine months later, we watched with horror as foreign enemies attacked our world trade center with our aircraft. Several months later, I received the phone call no mother ever wants, his company in the 82nd Airborne was leaving for Afghanistan. I am proud to say during his military career, he continued to become a Green Beret in the Army Special Forces. In the years that he has served, he has deployed thirteen times, six of those combat tours. Special Ops are known as “the silent professionals.” The bravest of the brave! Not once have I heard him or his comrades brag on their accomplishments, or about any of their missions. He is my son, and he is a Veteran. With tears streaming down my face, I can’t express how incredibly proud I am of the man and soldier he has become. I have spent countless hours in prayer for his safe return. The suffering and sacrifice our Veterans and their families have given I am thankful for. 

 Many others have experienced combat in our nation since its inception. I can’t begin to understand it because I haven’t experienced it. Many of you that are reading this have looked the enemy right in the eye and stood firm in the face of extreme adversity.

The Character of our Veterans encompasses the following traits: Integrity, Honor, Loyalty, Duty, Selfless Service, and a courage far greater than any of us civilians could understand. These are the qualities of a true warrior!

My youngest son’s grandfather served in the 82nd Airborne in WWII. He parachuted behind enemy lines, survived the war, and returned home. I understand they left on their missions expecting to die. Sadly many like him brought war back home and fought the demons for years. I have friends that served in the Vietnam war. It sickens me to hear of their treatment when they returned home. They like the warriors before have fought their battles after returning as well.

It is because of our Veterans’ willingness never to surrender, never quit, and ultimately die for a cause, The United States of America is a free nation today. That my friend is an endurance, most of us will never own or know.

 Nineteen years later, we still have soldiers, marines, airmen, and sailors putting their lives on the line for our freedoms and the war on terror.

This summer, I learned my great-great-great-great-grandfather served in the revolutionary war. They had a transcendent cause a fight within themselves for those of us living today. We have carelessly thrown away what many have spilled their blood for. Today I am seeing socialism gaining ground state by state. Our freedoms are being taken away from us at an alarming rate. Our politicians ignore what “we the people” want. They mock and scoff at us, thinking they know what is best. Many of our churches turn a blind eye and accept political correctness in place of the truth. Every day God is removed more and more in the public square. I ask you this: Does your faith matter to you? How far are you willing to go to defend your beliefs?

Haven’t we learned from the past? Have we forgotten our history? Have we thrown away the moral values our founding fathers intended? Are we negligent and apathetic in watching the unconstitutional abuse of power happening before our eyes? I think they would roll over in their grave if they saw what was happening today.

There is much more I could say. Instead, I will close with this speech by Samuel Adams, given before Congress in Philadelphia, after the Declaration of Independence was adopted. May these words stir your heart as they did mine:

“If you love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom–go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”

So, to our Veterans, I extend my most heartfelt and sincere thanks, for if not for you, I have no doubt that today we would be bowing down to a socialist dictator. 

This is my command–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. ~ Joshua 1:9