FOR OUR VETERANS

In 1953, my dad was drafted into the United States Army. He was very much afraid he would either freeze to death or be shot in Korea. But by the grace of God, while dad was in basic training at Ft. Bliss, President Eisenhower signed the armistice that for the most part ended that very painful and difficult war. My dad went on to serve at Ft. Monroe, Virginia as an air defense radar operator. His primary job was to make sure no aircraft got within a certain range of Washington. Dad actually received an accomodation for saving a commercial airliner from being shot down at the last second one day. When dad passed away, President Clinton sent us a very nice letter thanking my dad for his service, which I cherish greatly.

There are so many others who have paid the cost of freedom on our behalf--some gave limb and flesh, some gave a few years of their life, and many paid the ultimate price. This blog is dedicated to all those who have served our nation in uniform since the Revolutionary War.

For the patriots who served at places like Saratoga and Bunker Hill during the American Revolution--thank you.

For the U.S. Marines and Navy men who fought galliantly against middle eastern pirates on the Barbary Coast to protect our shipping--thank you.

For the soldiers who fought at places like Baltimore, Lake Detroit, and New Orleans during the War of 1812--thank you.

For the U.S. Marines and Army troops who smashed through the walls of Montezuma in Mexico City and fought at places like Vera Cruz during the War with Mexico--thank you.

For the soldiers who fought at places like Bull Run and Chatanooga when our nation was almost torn apart forever--and the commander in chief who ultimately gave his life saving our nation in that desperate war called the Civil War--thank you.

For the sailors who gave their lives aboard the U.S.S. Maine and the soldiers TR led up San Juan Hill during the War with Spain--thank you!

For the Army soldiers who fought at places like Chateau-Thierry and Belleau Wood in World War One--thank you.

For the Soldiers, Sailors, Airman, and Marines who fought at places like Pearl Harbor, Sicily, Midway, New Guinea, North Africa, Iwo Jima, and Paris during World War II--thank you.

For those Americans who fought at places like Seoul and Inchon during the Korean War--thank you.

For those Americans who fought at places like Saigon, Hue, and Dak To during the Vietnam War--thank you.

For those Americans who fought and died at places like the Iranian Desert during the Iran-Hostage Crises, the marine barracks in Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, The Mediterranean Sea, Kuwait, Somalia, and Bosnia--thank you.

For those Americans who have and are still fighting and dying in places like Baghdad, Fallujah, and Kabul--thank you so much!

For all those men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Military, who have stood a post, cleaned latrines and the head, who have dug trenches, who have worked in military hospitals, who have served in peace time, and who served period--thank you so much!

May the Lord bless all those who have and who continue to serve. May HE bless our great nation--and may we be a nation worthy of HIS blessing!

Happy Memorial Day veterans!