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VETERAN'S DAY PRAY - November 10, 2005
Our son-in-law, Todd Rhodes, has been on active duty
with the North Carolina National Guard since July 23. I was listening to
the radio while returning from a family vacation that day and heard
these lines:
“Our soldiers bravely stand, with their weapons in their
hand
As we lift our hands to God and pray.”
I have searched book stores, record shops, and web sites
to find this music, but did not find any clues. But I will always
remember the impact of these few words.
Sometimes I feel so helpless and frustrated because I
don’t know how to “help” Todd and others who are serving. Then I
remember that prayer is something we can do each day. God is watching
over each one of us and has a purpose for all, wherever we may be in the
world.
While searching for information on what and how to send
mail to servicemen, I read a letter from a serviceman who said that he
did not regret joining the military and serving our country. Here are a
few of his thoughts.
“I will go wherever my country asks me to serve. I feel
that what is being done in Iraq is positive. The country is being freed
of oppression after fifty years. Nearly two thousand Americans have lost
their lives. Are the lives of these Americans worth the lives of people
we don’t know? I say yes. If it wasn’t me, then who, if it wasn’t now,
then when? Our forefathers in World War I and II died for the freedom of
many Europeans. I do not think their sacrifice was in vain. The Iraqi
lives are not less important because they don’t share a similar religion
and culture. We are over here doing an important mission, we can not
waiver from it. When Iraq is on its own, that is when we should leave.”
I also read of the impact our military is having on the
children. Photos were shown of our armed forces handing out small toys
to children and showing concern in other ways. These children are being
exposed to human concern at a young age.
May God bless America, and our impact on the world.
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