On Saturday afternoon, as I was sitting in the garage during the garage sale, I happened to glance at the bookshelves full of books Ron was trying to sell. He belongs to a military book club so there are always plenty of military books lying around. One of them - American Soldier, by General Tommy Franks, I had been meaning to read for about two years - just never got around to it. So, I picked it out of the many books and began reading. It's going to be a page turner.In the prologue, General Franks talks about the beginning of the Afghanistan war against the Taliban which began in October of 2001, and of course, the order he received to move into Iraq in March, 2003. After reading only two or three pages in this book, so many memories came flooding back. Where we’ve been. And where we are today.
My favorite subject in school was American History. Mr. McClure, my teacher, was an awesome guy. He was pretty young, but not a brand new teacher. During that year, I would learn that he was fair, dedicated, and was proud to be teaching the history of our nation. I think maybe that’s where I truly realized the goodness of living in America and stopped taking it for granted as young kids do. We had been through a lot for a young nation. And would go through much more as the years went on.
As the days of that American History class went on, the troops began to build in a country called South Vietnam. A young man in my class would die in battle just a few years later in Vietnam. And a young sailor, whose ship was hit off the coast of Vietnam, would someday be my husband - and would instill the pride he has for our country in our daughter Laurie, and she would become the first of two stars in the blue star banner hanging in my window. She would bring us to know what pride is all about - not just our pride in her and Stephen as their parents, but pride in all who serve. And thanks for those who serve beside them.
Fast forward to July 4th, 2007. Our nation has come through 9/11, and we still battle those who think terrorism is far better than freedom. But our young people - men and women alike - continue to fight for this nation born from 13 colonies and a group of men and women just as willing to stand up for Independence.
They are the ones - past and present - who we celebrate this day - and the ones we mourn for in their sacrifices made.
America, America, God shed His grace on thee.
God bless our troops.
My favorite subject in school was American History. Mr. McClure, my teacher, was an awesome guy. He was pretty young, but not a brand new teacher. During that year, I would learn that he was fair, dedicated, and was proud to be teaching the history of our nation. I think maybe that’s where I truly realized the goodness of living in America and stopped taking it for granted as young kids do. We had been through a lot for a young nation. And would go through much more as the years went on.
As the days of that American History class went on, the troops began to build in a country called South Vietnam. A young man in my class would die in battle just a few years later in Vietnam. And a young sailor, whose ship was hit off the coast of Vietnam, would someday be my husband - and would instill the pride he has for our country in our daughter Laurie, and she would become the first of two stars in the blue star banner hanging in my window. She would bring us to know what pride is all about - not just our pride in her and Stephen as their parents, but pride in all who serve. And thanks for those who serve beside them.
Fast forward to July 4th, 2007. Our nation has come through 9/11, and we still battle those who think terrorism is far better than freedom. But our young people - men and women alike - continue to fight for this nation born from 13 colonies and a group of men and women just as willing to stand up for Independence.
They are the ones - past and present - who we celebrate this day - and the ones we mourn for in their sacrifices made.
America, America, God shed His grace on thee.
God bless our troops.
1 comment:
Happy Independance Day Sue!
I pray that by God's grace, next year there will be true peace on earth.
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