Honoring sacrifice and the blessings of liberty

Every year touches me a little more. I don’t know why; I know no one who made the ultimate sacrifice in war.

I served in the US Army, but never had to fire my weapon at an enemy or in defense of others or myself. I was trained to kill in the defense of my country. Everyone around me was trained the same.

The closest I got to combat was serving as a drill sergeant during the first Gulf War, when President Bush ordered our troops to liberate Kuwait from the clutches of a dictator. None of the young men I trained saw combat during that brief war as it started and finished during their early weeks of Basic Combat Training. I have no idea how many of them may still be serving, or wound up paying the ultimate price in defense of their nation.

I don’t say this to pat myself on the back for a job well done, though I am very proud of my service to my country. I am blessed to have been born here. I did nothing of myself to deserve these blessings of liberty. I am thankful to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, as Isaiah writes, for these blessings and for the ultimate sacrifice of God’s son on that cruel cross so many years ago. He died in my place; but what’s more, he rose again as promised and will return one day to claim those of us who have professed him as Lord and Savior.

Until then I will continue to thank those here in the United States of America who laid down their lives for a larger cause, to ensure the freedom and liberty that we enjoy today. Freedom isn’t free, for it carries with it a responsibility and a duty to promote, protect and perpetuate it until the day when Jesus Christ returns to claim his people.

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Some gave all: A Salute

To the family members of those who gave all in service to their country — thank you. I know this can’t bring your loved one back, but thank you anyway.

While I served 10 years in the Army, I did so during a time when we enjoyed a long run of peace. My service to country gave me the opportunity to see places I’d otherwise never have seen, and the ability to go to college by providing me with GI Bill benefits.

I’ve met war veterans. I’ve had the privilege of talking with veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East. I even met a Medal of Honor recipient and had the honor of saluting him, a fellow non-commissioned officer, while we were both in uniform.

I’ve also met those who have done multiple tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, I’ve never met someone as of yet who later died during wartime combat. I don’t think I know a family member of someone killed in combat.

That said, I will always have a place in my heart for you. I salute you and the memory of your family member, who served to preserve our American way of life.

Especially to those who’s fathers or mothers will never hug you again; to those who are too young to remember daddy or mommy, and the other parent who will later have only stories to tell your children, I offer you my sincere appreciation and prayers.

Thank you and God bless America.