This is always a hard day for me. I am sure likewise for Ribs and DGP.
I need to stay away from the television because too many memories come back. Getting older is a funny thing the way your mind seems to recall the things you would like to forget. I am confident my brothers in service know this better than I do as they are a little ahead of me...
My good friend Dr. Douglas Kossel is a former Vietnam helicopter pilot who was looking for the snipers in the trees at low levels ahead of the Hueys. He started a College for Foreign men to take to become Pastors in their own lands to reach their people. He himself has taken a small Church to Pastor because those people asked him to.
He spoke yesterday of some of the things he saw, some of the faces he knew that and trained with before going over there who were killed in the line of duty.
He put FACES and names to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Let us remember this day that some families today and the kids no longer have a daddy to hug them, play with, take care of them. The wives who loved them and supported the warriors they married now have the daunting task of raising children while their own hearts ache and sorrow.
When you hear the phrase "gave everything", they and their family truly have given everything. Their lives will never be the same.
Yet these men went to fight willingly, and charged ahead staring down death and caring not for their own life but willingly sacrificed theirs for OUR SAFETY and SECURITY as a NATION. Those brave men who joined the Geaorge Washington's army to throw off the shckles of the British, and again in 1812 when the Brits thought they could succeed the second time. And all the following wars we have been involved in whether we agree with them or not, our country called and they asnswered without wavering. They di d thier duty without shame, but with great HONOR and would do it again..
I cannot imagine the heartache of such sacrifice to a family who just was notified that their husband, or father, would not be returning home.
And now, I would ask Almighty God to bow down Thy Holy head and eyes and look upon these whose hearts are in need of binding, and grant them heavenly Love and Holy JOY and HOPE that they shall see their Daddy or HUsband again. Ease the pain and sorrow of their hearts and help us, those who have been blessed by that sacrifice so honorably and valiantly made, to support the needs of these families as much as we can.
I salute you fallen brothers, and THANK YOU from the bottom of my Heart!
Semper Fi forever......
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