Posted by
Theresa Fleming on Wednesday, July 04, 2007 8:07:00 PM
Editorial By Theresa Fleming, Director & Co-Founder of Moms For Ohio
Since the founding of our country, over one million men and women have given
their lives serving in our armed forces so that we might be safe and
free. President John F. Kennedy once said, "the cost of freedom is
high, but Americans have always paid it". And he was right. America
is, and has continued to be, the "Home of the Brave and Land of the
Free", because we have always been blessed with people who care far
more about the welfare of others than they do for themselves.
We
need to remember to thank them, and that is why I want to share with
each of you a story about a Marine that my little girl and I met while
shopping at the grocery store. He touched our hearts, as I am sure he
has touched the hearts of many-and saved their lives as well.
We
met this Marine as we stood in the aisle trying to find some fun foods
to send to a friend who was also serving in the Marines in Iraq and we
started talking about the war. He told me that he had also served in a
war; he had served in Vietnam. I thanked him for his service, for
being willing to risk his life so that our children might live safe,
and free. And this brave, strong man, started to cry. He was so
deeply touched that someone would thank him, would appreciate what he
had done.
As we stood there in
the grocery aisle, he told me of how his father had served before him
and how his two sons now currently served. And he beamed with pride as
he told me of the picture that hung above his mantel of his two sons in
uniform. And when he spoke of his family’s tradition of “Answering Our Nation’s Call”,
he brought tears to my eyes as well. This man, this family, is one of
so many. And we are so privileged to have so many men and women who
willing to risk their lives, and who so often must live with the scars
of war, so that we might remain safe and free. And it struck me that
if just a few words of thank you could touch this veteran so deeply,
then we must not be saying thank you, nearly enough.
As
we said good-bye, he wished me a “Blessed day”, and indeed it was.
Because I truly felt blessed to have met this man, a man of faith and a
veteran of war. And I will never forget his
sacrifice, or the sacrifices made by the countless men and women
currently serving in Iraq. May God bless them and keep them safe.
And
as we celebrate our country's freedom this July 4th, may we keep each
of these brave men and women in our prayers, and remember to thank them
when they come home.
Any May God Bless This Great Country and Keep It Safe...
Theresa Fleming is the Director & Co-Founder of Moms For Ohio, a political action committee dedicated to giving Moms and their families a voice in the government which serves them...
To learn more about Moms For Ohio, please visit MomsForOhio.com