Friday, May 28, 2010

Memorial Day

According to wikipedia, Memorial Day commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. As Geoff and I were busily planning our weekend of cookouts and relaxation by the river, I was reminded that this three day weekend is not really about us. It's about those who have served and died while protecting all of us. Today marked the 1000th US military death in the Afghan War. These are the children of 1000 mothers, the brothers and sisters of thousands of Americans, fathers and mothers to children, and spouses. Geoff and I realized last night that we often hear about casualties "over there" and think about the sadness of it for a moment and then move on to our own agenda. How easily we take for granted the freedoms that we have as Americans and the sacrifices that our service members make on our behalf. So, thank you to the many of you who serve. We'd particularly like to thank our friend Jerome who is there for the second time defending us. Whether you agree with the politics of the war or not, in honor of them please take a moment out of your weekend to pray for their protection and pray for comfort and peace for those who have lost those they love in this war and past wars. This weekend, it's about them, not us.
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4 comments:

  1. DrewMay 28, 2010 at 10:07 PM

    Thanks guys. Hope to see you soon.

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  2. AshleighMay 31, 2010 at 8:32 PM

    Thank you for this post - your support means the world. I love all three of you very much!

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  3. UnknownJune 1, 2010 at 9:57 AM

    Terra,

    Well said, and a good reminder for all of us who get so busy with life that we forget why and how we have the freedoms we do. Thank you for the reminder we all could use. I also share your shout out to Jerome!

    Boo's sister, Sonya

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  4. AshleighJune 2, 2010 at 10:42 AM

    Please read below from Jerome:

    Thank you very much guys, I do appreciate it, and at the same time, you are very welcome. It is difficult to describe the flood of emotions that you can experience when away from home or that stay with you after you return. Some things you want people to understand so they can at least realize the full cost, others you don't want anyone to know. That is why you do it, so the ones you love NEVER HAVE to know. Sometimes I think about work and know that I do it for my nephew Wyatt or Mary M or Carley or Lilly Kate b/c those are the ones that deserve to grow up in a safe, peaceful place and if that means the thousands of people in this work have to be overseas for years at a time, then so be it. I pray one day I see them grow up, go to college and not ever have to care about these things. We all want a better life for our children, consequences and price be damned. Geoff, you and Terra have been particularly kind to me and I can't thank you enough, I hope in some way, that this pays you back, even if just a little.
    or as George Orwell put it (and I know you've heard this before): "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm"
    God Bless you guys and keep taking care.
    --Jerome
    p.s. I don't think Orwell knew how to use an adverb. :)

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