One Nation Under God

Monday there was a Veterans day assembly at the school. We didn't know about it until Thursday and Little BIL had already arranged to go visit his aunt & cousin who live 2 hours north of here, so he couldn't attend. Husband had to work, so I loaded up a big orange tote (thank you, Nan) full of snacks, books, sippy cups, diapers, and things to keep two little brothers busy during a 45 minute program. Luckily the program was only about 20-30 minutes long & I only had to pass out sippy cups.

We stood & said the pledge of allegiance. Then the band (4th-8th grade) played the Star Spangled Banner. After three years of High School Marching Band flag corps, I felt an almost uncontrollable desire to go into Queen Anne's Salute (that's what you call the pose the color guard takes during the national anthem). Mr. M (the music teacher) gave a short speech about the history of Veterans Day & had all the veterans & current military stand to be recognized. A boy in the band played Taps on his trumpet. It doesn't matter how off key or off beat it may be or how hesitantly played, Taps always brings tears to my eyes. When Husband's Grandpa was buried I was OK until they played Taps.

After all that Husband's cousin J read an essay he wrote for a contest about what patriotism meant to him. It was beautiful. He'll be 13 on Sunday, but he the things he said were very powerful.

Then all the kids sang some patriotic songs. I cannot say I'm overtly patriotic. I'm not a very political person, but this program really touched a cord in me. I spent most of it near tears.

Yesterday I received an email from my aunt that contained a letter written by a soldier, Army SGT Eddie Jeffers before he was killed, in Iraq, on 19Sept07.

America has lost its will to fight. It has lost its will to defend what is right and just in the world. The crazy thing of it all is that the American people have not even been asked to sacrifice a single thing. It's not like World War Two, where people rationed food, and turned in cars to be made into metal for tanks. The American people have not been asked to sacrifice anything. Unless you are in the military or the family member of a service member, its life as usual...the war doesn't affect you. But it affects us. And when it is over, and the troops come home, and they try to piece together what's left of them after their service...where will the detractors be then? Where will the Cindy Sheehans be to comfort and talk to soldiers and help them sort out the last couple years of their lives, most of which have been spent dodging death and wading through the deaths of their friends? They will be where they always are, somewhere far away, where the horrors of the world can't touch them. Somewhere where they can complain about things they will never experience in their lifetime; things that the young men and women of America have willingly taken upon their shoulders. We are the hope of the Iraqi people. They want what everyone else wants in life: safety, security, somewhere to call home. They want a country that is safe to raise their children in. Not a place where their children will be abducted, raped, and murdered if they do not comply with the terrorists demands. They want to live on, rebuild and prosper. And America has given them the opportunity, but only if we stay true to the cause, and see it to its end. But the country must unite in this endeavor...we cannot place the burden on our military alone. We must all stand up and fight, whether in uniform or not. And supporting us is more than sticking yellow ribbon stickers on your cars. It's supporting our President, our troops and our cause.

Maybe it's because there's a chance Little BIL will be sent to Iraq before he gets out of the military, maybe it's because my cousin Scotty is serving there now, maybe it's because I have another cousin who will probably be there before next year is over, but this hit home with me.

I think our nation is in a special position. We have the strength and ability to protect those who are in need. I think that is our responsibility.

We are very blessed. We have lived under the grace of God for over 200 years. I wonder how long we will continue to live under His grace if we continue to ignore Him, to belittle Him, & exclude Him from our lives.

**** Updated: 5:30 pm. ****
Grace pointed out (and she's right) that this reads as if I think if you are against this war, you are ignoring God. That isn't what I meant. You have every right to be against war. This war or any war. Our soldiers throughout history have died so that you can have that right.

What I mean is that I believe our country is sliding down a slippery slope morally & ethically. I think our nation has turned from God in general. We've distanced ourselves from Him as much as possible but we still expect His blessings.

I'm sorry if I muddled my meaning.