[CH] OFF TOPIC..EDITOR'S DISCRETION: AT THE RIGHT TIME...WE REMEMBER
Michael E Gardner (absolutelywater@juno.com)
Mon, 28 May 2001 00:44:19 -0500
I wasn't there when the American Colonial Army stood winter guard at
Valley Forge with only bloody rags on their feet as they fought for my
freedom.
I wasn't there in the war of 1812.
I wasn't in the trenches when the German's seared the lungs of young
American men with mustard gas as they fought for my freedom in World War
One.
I wasn't at Pearl Harbor when a single Japanese bomb detonated a million
pounds of black powder on the Arizona and instantaneously killed over one
thousand American sailors preparing to defend my freedom against the
Japanese and he Nazis.
I didn't see the bullet riddled bodies of the Americans who died
defending my freedom in Korea.
I only vaguely remember the nightly news clips of American soldiers as
they carried out our government's orders in the jungles and swamps and
tunnels of Vietnam.
I have never been with a family who lost a son or a daughter defending
Kuwait.
I wasn't there with any of them when they suffered as prisoners of war in
any of these wars.
I have never been with a family whose child died in a peace time military
training exercise.
Not every one of our veterans saw combat. Some were clerks, cooks,
mechanics, machinists. Some served during war time, some served during
peace time, some serve in peace today, ready for battle tomorrow. Some
gave their lives, some suffered wounds, some saw things that no human
should ever have to see, and many did things that no human should ever
have to do. And all gave their daily life, for a period of time, while
many more gave their time to work in the industries that sustained our
veterans.
And when I tried to join the US Air Force, my application was turned down
for medical reasons.
But because others were there, I continue to live in the greatest nation
the world has ever known and to enjoy the greatest freedoms that any
people have ever known.
And so I thank you, veteran, whoever you are, and wherever you are.
Thank you Vet. Thanks Dad.
This Memorial Day, I remember WHY I am free, and I thank you.
I know that at the right time, like Christ, you gave your life for me.
Romans 5:6-8
6. While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the
ungodly.
7. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man--though perhaps for a
good man one will dare even to die.
8. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners
Christ died for us.
Mike Gardner
Tulsa, Ok
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