Freedom is not free.
Someone stood watch.
Someone sacrificed.
Someone answered the call.
This is for them.
Ever since my son joined the United States Marine Corps and became of service to our country, something changed in me.
I became more aware.
More grateful.
More attentive.
More appreciative.
Millions of Americans have gone before my thoughts ever arrived here. They stood guard, served, sacrificed, and in some cases gave everything so that I might enjoy the freedoms I often take for granted.
This post is for them.
THEY LOVE AMERICA.
If you have ever spent time near a military base, you know exactly what I mean.
You see young men and women enjoying their leave.
They go to the movies.
They eat burgers and pizza.
They spend time with friends.
They laugh.
They celebrate.
They call home.
They do exactly what you and I do.
Only there is a difference.
They appreciate it more.
WHAT WE DO HERE.
The freedoms we casually enjoy every day have a different meaning to someone who may soon be deployed.
The simple act of sitting in a restaurant.
Walking through a shopping mall.
Watching a baseball game.
Driving down an American highway.
Seeing family.
Sleeping in their own bed.
These things become precious when you know you may soon be far away defending them.
The military member understands something many civilians forget.
Freedom is fragile.
And it must be protected.
I KNOW THESE BOYS…AND THESE GIRLS.
I have spent time on military bases.
I have shared meals with Marines.
I have sat and listened to conversations late into the night.
I discovered something remarkable.
They are ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
They talk about mothers and fathers.
Wives and husbands.
Children and sweethearts.
Dreams and plans.
They miss birthdays.
They miss holidays.
They miss graduations.
They miss first steps.
They miss family dinners.
They miss home.
And they do it willingly.
For us.
THEY UNDERSTAND LIFE AND LIBERTY.
One thing I noticed almost immediately was gratitude.
Good manners.
Respect.
Humility.
Purpose.
These men and women understand what it means to earn something.
They know what it means to stand post when others sleep.
To train when others relax.
To sacrifice when others celebrate.
To serve when others are being served.
Many possess a quiet appreciation for life that can only come from knowing how precious it truly is.
THE LONG LINE OF PATRIOTS.
Long before my son wore the uniform, others wore it.
Farm boys.
City kids.
Teachers.
Mechanics.
Students.
Immigrants.
Doctors.
Laborers.
Mothers.
Fathers.
Grandparents.
Generations of Americans answered the call.
From Lexington and Concord…
To Gettysburg…
To Normandy…
To Iwo Jima…
To Korea…
To Vietnam…
To the deserts and mountains of modern conflicts…
America has always been defended by ordinary citizens willing to do extraordinary things.
THE FLAG MEANS SOMETHING.
When I see the American flag wave in the breeze, I no longer see cloth.
I see sacrifice.
I see courage.
I see folded flags handed to grieving families.
I see letters sent home.
I see reunions.
I see heroes.
I see graves marked with white crosses.
I see generations who refused to surrender freedom.
That flag was purchased with devotion.
And sometimes with blood.
REMEMBER THEM.
Remember the veteran sitting quietly in a restaurant.
Remember the active-duty service member walking through the airport.
Remember the military spouse carrying the burden at home.
Remember the Gold Star families.
Remember those who never returned.
Remember those still serving.
Remember those preparing to deploy.
Remember those standing watch tonight while the rest of us sleep.
THE GREATEST GENERATION IS EVERY GENERATION.
Every generation has produced young Americans willing to stand in the gap.
Willing to protect.
Willing to serve.
Willing to sacrifice.
That spirit is alive today.
It always has been.
And may it always remain so.
PAST, PRESENT, OR FUTURE…
If you have ever worn the uniform of the United States of America…
If you are wearing it now…
Or if you someday will…
Know this:
You are appreciated.
You are respected.
You are remembered.
And you are thanked.
From the bottom of my heart, and from the heart of a grateful nation…
Thank you for your service.
God bless you.
And God bless America.
— Richie
Pearls for the Soul
when you feed the soul, you feed everything.
https://pearlsforthesoul.com
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