Showing posts with label United States of America. Show all posts
Showing posts with label United States of America. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Remembering.....

I find myself in a solemn mood today. It took me a few minutes to realize why. It's September 11th. I didn't personally know anyone who died that fateful day, but my heart was broken just the same. I remember seeing the images on TV while sitting on my neighbors sofa. My children and I went home in a daze. I sat them on my lap and hugged them close as I silently cried. Then we all got down and prayed that God would have mercy on this nation and each one of us. That He would help those who were hurting and protect those that were helping.

I remember how eerily silent the skies seemed for the next week or so. Suddenly, we noticed the empty space above us. There was a thick cloud of fear, mingled with anger and pride, that seemed to hang over us. But in time we've overcome that fear and exchanged it for determination. We will not be bullied and we will not back down.

If we have learned nothing else from those horrible events, I hope we have learned to accept each day as a precious gift from God. Each new day is an opportunity to tell someone how much we love them. Each new day is the chance to help that person in need, who possibly has no one - to make a difference in someone's life. Each new day presents to us the challenge to make this world a better place. I intend to make the most of it.

I'm proud to be an American. I'm proud of our soldiers, despite why they may be in combat. I'm proud of the Hero's that unselfishly gave their lives on that day, and since, for us.

My sincerest prayers go out to those who will spend today mourning the loss of someone they loved on 9/11. You are not mourning alone, as we are hurting with you. We will always remember! We cannot afford to forget....

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Memorial Day at Jefferson Barracks


The seemingly endless rows of tombstones


Yesterday was a beautiful day at the Jefferson Barracks Cemetery. We parked and walked past rows and rows of tombstones. The sheer magnitude of what I was seeing took my breath away. If you've never been to a place such as this, it's hard to understand the feeling of sacrifice and honor that settles down on you.

We found a nice spot close to the front of the seating area and settled in for the memorial ceremony. With my camera in hand, I tried to capture the morning. Here is what I saw:


















I'll admit to crying through parts of it, but I wasn't the only one. My Grandfather told me stories of his time spent in WWII. His infantry was right in the thick of the Battle of the Bulge. My Father-in-Law was in the Korean War and has told us stories that will make your blood grow cold. My sisters boyfriend served time in Desert Storm. I have friends serving in the Iraq war. My list could go on and on. I love them all and appreciate what they have sacrificed that we may have freedom. THANK YOU to all who currently serve and have served your country in the past. May all our dear soldiers come home safe, and may they be richly blessed beyond measure.