A Time to be Thankful ~ Day 11 Our Military

I see the American Flag flying high in the wind.  What an honor and glory it is to see to see the flag fly.  It reminds me of our freedom. We are so blessed to be living in a land where we are free to voice our opinion, a free to disagree, and to live in peace free from terrorists. None of this would be possible without our military, without those risking their lives on a daily basis. They choose to leave their families and protect our country.

Since the foundation of America, soldiers have continue to fight for peace not only for our country, but for millions of other lives in other countries.  What do they get in return? Not a whole lot these days.  Some get a small pension, a grave site if they are lucky, and discounts and freebies on Veteran's Day.  The honor and respect they deserve is long overdue.

My Grandpa and my Great Uncle served in WWII.  Even though they did not have big roles during the war, I am honored that they risked their life for our country.  After my Grandpa's death in 1999, my Uncle Andy was honored with the American Flag.  We buried my Grandpa in the Veteran's Memorial Cemetery here in Houston along with thousands of others who fought so bravely for this country. Some were killed in battle while others were blessed to live a life after the war.

Every Memorial Day, little American flags are place on each grave.  Their little waves in the wind remind me that everyone matters when it comes to having peace in our country.  Thank God for Our Military.  

Below is a beautiful poem that I found just in time for the Christmas.

Santa's Soldier

'Twas the night before Christmas
in a war over seas.
A soldier said a prayer
by his bed on his knees

He said "I don't wanna be here
but I can not leave.
Lord, please let my family
have a great Christmas Eve."

This soldier I speak of
will have Christmas alone.
All that he has
is a package from home.

Inside of the package
was a great surprise.
It was a picture of his family.
He wiped the tears from his eyes.

His wife left a note that said
'We are all alone.
The kids miss their daddy
please hurry back home.'

His six year old daughter
gave a teddy bear to her dad,
along with a note
that said 'This will help when you're sad.'

The soldier picked up his gun
and went back out to work.
And then he noticed a kid
that looked like he was hurt.

The soldier said,
"What's the matter kid, what is your bother? "
Yhe kid responded by saying
"They just shot my father."

The soldier said,
"I've got something for you, to make you less sad."
Then he pulled out a teddy bear and said,
"Let this remind you of your dad."

The soldier went on his way
to continue to fight
and said "Merry Christmas to all
and to all a good night."

~ Jake Vos

I'm Baaaaaaaaack!

Howdy..!

Did you miss me? (Probably didn't even notice that I was gone!) It's been a few weeks since I had a chance to add a new post. Okay...maybe it was a little longer than a few weeks. I hope that everyone's summer is going great despite the massive heat wave, the fall of the economy, the never ending oil spill / clean up, and last but not least - let us not forget the ongoing debate of the Arizona immigration law drama. What an eventful Summer!!!


As for my summer, I have been participating in an early American History class as part of my degree plan. It's a relative easy class as we refresh what we kind of already know about American History. In case you have forgotten, here's a quick overview:

1. Colonists (Us) came to America for a new beginning for life, liberty, and equality.
2. WE then pushed the natives aside, gave them plenty of diseases not to mention the thousands killed in the process as we took their land.
3. Established the colonies (states) and developed our Government (Constitution).
4. Got in a big fight with the British for our independence (Yah! 4th of July!).
5. Kidnapped some people from another country to work for us for FREE (slavery) while killing more natives (Indians) to get MORE land.
6. Got in another big fight - this time with Mexico to get Texas (Yah Texas!), Arizona, and New Mexico which by the way, the natives were "Mexicans" but then became "Americans".
7. Then someone found gold in California...so naturally we gotta get More land!
8. Got in another big fight (Civil War) with each other (North vs South) to decide what to do about the free workers (slavery).
9. Of course we know the South loses, the slaves are Freed, lots more stuff happens, then flash a little over a century and Obama is President....(Yikes!)
10. ...and the drama still continues.

All in all I have really enjoyed the class in re-learning American History as my interests and views have changed through the years. A few years ago I could have cared less about politics, our history, or even furthering my education as I was lost in a different kind of world full of my own drama.

But now my eyes have been opened, my spirit is awaken, and an inspiration pings at my heart. I see such changes in world that is frightening. It makes me wonder how far any of us would go to stand up for our beliefs and values that our ancestors did so many years ago. How far are we willing to "walk" and "fight" off the enemy for a better life for ourselves and our family? If our forefathers of our country could see the state of this great nation currently, what would cross their minds?


I celebrated the 4th of July with my family this year with a great sense of honor. For the first time in my life, I felt the tears well up in my eyes as I watched the fireworks. I recalled the fights I read about and felt grateful for the freedom we still have in our country. We celebrated the fireworks show with a good friend of ours, Melissa from Germany, who had been an exchange student here a couple of years ago. It was an honor to know her and learn her culture as some of my ancestors are from Germany as well. Yet, I felt very proud to have her celebrate our freedom, our independence, our celebration this 4th.


Honoring our country, respecting our veterans, respecting the laws of the land seems to be slowly dwindling from our very own leaders unfortunately.


It's time to get back this sinking ship as I see it, full of unappreciative people who aren't rowing or doing their part, and set sail for a new beginning like our forefathers once did. We NEED leaders and full-time workers who love and honor the values our country was founded on.

Honor this Country! Fly your American Flag High and Proud! Pay much respect to the people serving to Protect it!