4th of July Thanks

Here we are at the 4th of July again.

The day will come and the day will go and we will enjoy picnics, fireworks and family fun and it is possible that we will not take time to think about why we are enjoying this holiday.

I want to take a minute to say THANKS to every veteran and every service person that has served, is serving and will serve our country.

When I complain about my government without fear of reprisal I say THANKS
When I pray in the church, synagogue, masque, or under a tree without fear of reprisal I say THANKS
When I walk down the street with my head held high and my heart unafraid of being sent to a labor camp or prison because I smile at a person or have my face uncovered I say THANKS

Thanks to every person who has fought or stood guard or simply been willing to make a sacrifice for me.
Thanks to the older Veteran that suffered in the World Wars and Korea and now find their number small as time marches on.
Thanks to the Veteran who sloshed through the rice paddies or the jungles of Vietnam coming home to be spit on and to suffer nightmares and flashbacks.
Thanks to the current Soldiers who are wading through sand storms and mountains and treacherous settings with pounding hearts and aching heads and still coming home trying to smile.
Thanks to the parents and children and wives and husbands of Service People who came back to them in a box to quickly forgotten.
Thanks to every person in every hospital or mental institution in our country who is there because they suffered physical or emotional wounds that they have not recovered from in order to give me the freedom I enjoy.
Thanks to the Veteran that is out under some bridge fighting the unseen battles that I can not even begin to imagine and feeling like nobody cares.
Thanks to the Veteran that is living in some cabin out in the woods or some other isolated spot in our country because he or she just can’t deal with people anymore.
Thanks to the Veteran that is sitting behind prison walls because of mistakes made.
Thanks to the family of every Veteran that fights the unseen battles of Post Traumatic Stress and continues to love the Veteran even when he or she finds it hard to love themselves.

When I am tempted to judge may I always remember that one nightmare that a service person goes through is worse than any pain I can possibly feel.

May I reach out with compassion to those who need it. May I remember to fight for financial and personal rights of Veterans and May I never forget to smile and say Thank You.

I am who I am because someone cared about me more than I sometimes cared about myself.

God Bless You Today.

Tell about this to everyone in your address book. If you like it, send it on to those in your address book. But please whatever you do take a moment today to say a quick prayer for our Veterans and their family and when you have a chance shake their hand and say THANKS. OK?