I’m sad to announce both chambers of the U.S. Congress adopted a resolution calling for Americans to recognize and honor U.S. service members during National Military Appreciation Month in May.
Why sadness in that announcement? I can think of a number of reasons.
Thank you for reading this. Do you have any idea how many people on the Internet had access to the title of this article, and when realizing the subject, simply went on to more important things? Some rushed off to a game of golf … some had to get to the mall … others had more important things to pursue on the computer. Few, if any, realized that they were blessed with those choices because we have men and women stationed all over the Earth protecting our right to do so. Those freedoms come at a very high price. Ask someone who has lost a loved one, friend, or family member in battle half way around the world. And yet our golfer, shopper, techie, and so many others are too busy to pause to pay tribute to those who made that supreme sacrifice.
Another reason? Those in both chambers of the U.S. Congress adopted that resolution for political reasons, to look good to voters, and to gain personal recognition for doing so. You would be shocked at the number who have never served their country as members of any military force simply because they knew someone who could pull the strings to avoid such service. In addition, few of their children are serving. After all, they could get injured or even killed. And yet this governing body doesn’t hesitate to send these loyal service men and women back into service for tour after tour after tour.
Another reason? We should NOT designate a month each year to honor those serving our country! Do they fight and protect us just one month out of the year? Do they die during just one month of the calendar year? We should be honoring them and praying for their protection and safe return EVERY DAY of the year, but we’re too busy for that. We easily forget where they are and what they’re doing every minute of the day while we busily enjoy our freedoms.
This month culminates with Memorial Day, a federal holiday on the last Monday in May. The day, dating from the Civil War era, traditionally has marked recognition of those who have died in service to the nation. Each year on Memorial Day, the White House Commission on Remembrance promotes one minute of silence at 3 p.m. local time to honor the military’s fallen comrades and to pay tribute to the sacrifices by the nation’s service members and veterans. ONE MOMENT OF SILENCE for a lifetime of freedoms and sacrifice? Many won’t even take that one moment. Strive for a “moment a day,” knowing that falls short of what our service men and women deserve. YOU make a difference!
Support your USO (United Service Organizations), encourage your children to write a letter to someone stationed overseas, greet those returning, and pray for all of those serving.
You might enjoy this video we shared last year saluting the many who love, appreciate and support our service men and woman. It’s hard to watch this video without shedding a tear. Maybe it will inspire you to DO rather than PAUSE, ACT rather than THINK, and make a difference in the lives of those protecting our lives and freedoms.
Being a Veteran myself, I’m proud of a grandfather, four uncles, and three cousins who served our country. I add to that list my Marine son who returned safely after his tour of duty. My heart is saddened for the families, friends and loved ones of those who never returned. Think about it. Then make a difference!
About Harry K. Jones
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Please don’t be offended by this but I just finished reading this article and the article titled; “Let’s Make This A TRUE Memorial Day and while I’m sure many, many people read it as well and enjoyed and appreciated your thoughts, I feel it is somewhat wasted on the Internet alone. These two articles should be published in newspapers, magazines, and even read on TV and Radio in addition to the Internet. This is a message which should be shared weekly in schools, churches and among families. Our troops are dying daily for the industial machine and no one seems to realize or appreciate it outside of the immediate families. Thanks you for acknowledging and honoring them. do you have books or CD’s available of your articles. My whole family enjoys your work every week.
Jeff Erskine