This is not a post I was intending to write, but as I made my usual rounds on the Internet this morning, I changed my mind. A few days ago, our church had a veterans appreciation service for the men and women in our area who have served in our armed forces. We had a good turn out, with about 30 
veterans showing up, with a much larger crowd showing up to show how much we appreciated their service. We especially paid attention to those who served in Vietnam, recognizing that they received nothing much but grief for their service. It was just a small token of how much we are all in their debt.
During the service, our pastor read aloud the names of all the veterans who were in attendance, along with their rank and time of service. There were those who fought in WWII, Vietnam, Korea, Desert Storm, and the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. My own father and brother, who served in WWII and Desert Storm respectively, were unable to be there, but as the names were called, I was reminded of just how big a sacrifice they gave. My father, Avis Jackson, left my mother behind and served in Germany towards the end of the great war. It was during this time that my oldest brother was born. He came back after the war was over, but I never heard him speak of his time during the war.
I still remember when Jimmy, my brother, went to Desert Storm. He had to leave his daughter and his son behind, trusting that someone else would take care of them while he was serving his country. My father cried when he left, but he said that someone had to do it. Thank God they both came home safely.
At the closing of the service, our youth choir sang the Lee Greenwood song, God Bless The USA and as is the case every time I hear that song, my heart swells with gratitude for our freedom and the men and women who have served to defend it.
If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.
And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there’s pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.
That I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
And I’m proud to be and American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
Do you know a veteran? I am sure you do. I know John Carey from The Current, is a veteran. Colin from Fleeceme is one as well. There may be others that I am not aware of. To all of you, to Avis Jackson and Jimmy Jackson, to Farris Tatham, to those of you who I do not know, I say thank you for serving your country and defending our freedoms. It is because of you that I have the freedom of speech to write this blog. It is because of you that I am able to travel freely across this country, as I choose. If you know a veteran, shake their hand today, give them a salute, and tell them thanks for all they have done. They truly deserve all the honor we can give.
From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War, through both World Wars and into present day, I salute you all.
