I Salute Our Military!



A mother asked President Bush, "Why did my son have to die in Iraq?"

Another mother asked President Kennedy, "Why did my son have to die in Viet Nam?"

Another mother asked President Truman, "Why did my son have to die in Korea?"

Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, by Joe Rosenthal

Another mother asked President F.D. Roosevelt, "Why did my son have to die at Iwo Jima?"

Another mother asked President W. Wilson, "Why did my son have to die on the battlefield of France?"

Gettysburg National Cemetary

Yet another mother asked President Lincoln, "Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?"

And yet another mother asked President G. Washington, "Why did my son have to die near Valley Forge?"

Then long, long ago, a mother asked . . . "Heavenly Father, why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?"

The answers to all these are similar -- "So that others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness and freedom." --unknown


I thought the magnitude and the simplicity of these questions--and the answer--were awesome.



Here are six great hints for ways to honor a military person. Try it and see the look of appreciation on his/her face!

• Frame medals and awards - use curio cabinets or shadow boxes
• Create a tribute to their service - Make a notebook filled with poems and tributes from others
  
• Display their uniform - fold it neatly into a shadow box.
  
• Record their stories - Ask them to share their stories. Your children & grandchildren will thank you!
  
• Wall of memories - Frame pictures, shadow boxes filled with memobilia, flags in shadow boxes, poems. Black and white adds a nice touch.
  
• Notes of appreciation - Ask friends of the military person to write short notes about him and place in a small album. Makes a great gift to the person!
  

And the answer to the trivia question from yesterday (which one person expertly knew) is "Damascus!" Here are a few trivia items about the military. Interesting.

1. How did the military salute originate? Some believe it originated in Roman times when assasinations were common. A citizen who wanted to approach a public official had to raise his hand to prove he not no weapon.
2. What is the silver dollar custom? Probably began in England. It is a custom of great honor. The first enlisted soldier who salutes a newly commissioned lieutenant gets a silver dollar from the grateful officer. It is more than just about the money; it's a sign of respect and a love of duty.
   

A quick reminder: this would be a perfect time to order one of Donna Fleisher's "military" novels. Check out my May 4 blog interview with Donna to get her address.

I was hard pressed to pick a quote for today.
This one gave me goosebumps. My imagination took off thinking of it. How might we apply it to our own lives?

Hard pressed on my right. My center is yielding.
Impossible to maneuver.
Situation excellent. I am attacking.
--Ferdinand Foch at the Battle of the Marne

Blessings.