This past weekend I had the opportunity to visit with a high school friend, who happens to be the sister of one of my best friends, and her family in San Antonio. Sharon, is a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force and her husband, Bob, is a Colonel. It was such a privilege to be in their home and spend some time with them. They are both very modest about their accomplishments and their service to our country, although they both have completed tours of duty in the Middle East.
Their son is preparing to go into the Coast Guard this summer and we were talking about his plans for his service. He said that he didn’t plan to do anything that would be considered heroic. I immediately told him that as far as I am concerned anyone who serves this country in our military is a HERO.
One day Sharon took us to one of the Air Force bases to work out in their gym. It was a fantastic place but the thing that touched me to very core of my soul and brought tears to my eyes was the fact that I was surrounded by men and women whom I consider to be true American heroes. The people who were at the gym were young and old and I’m sure some were spouses of service men and women. As I looked around I tried to imagine the things that some of those people had experienced or would experience as part of their service to our country. My eyes welled up with tears as I pondered the fact that those individuals serve so that I can have the freedom that I currently enjoy.
I wish I had had the opportunity to stop each and every one of them and thank them personally for the sacrifice that they make or have made for me and for this country. Friends, our freedom is not free. When I looked at those men and women in that gym and when I looked at Sharon and Bob, I was profoundly humbled and grateful that they are willing to lay their lives on the line for such as I.
In the San Antonio airport there was a young service man who was on our flight. As we waited to board the plane I walked up to him, thanked him for his service to our country and handed him a small amount of money. Truly, it is the least that I can do for such a sacrifice. It was symbolic of the gratitude I feel toward all who serve our country.
If you are serving our country in the military and read this, please know that I esteem you and I honor you!! God bless you, dear one.
