P*A*T*R*I*O*T*I*C

Because today is Memorial Day, I felt that it would be appropriate to share my feelings about what today means to me.
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about and then feel extrememly grateful for the blessing it is to live in a land of freedom.  What a rich blessing!
I think about all of the men and women who sacrifice so much so that I can have the freedoms of every day life.
I wish to express my deepest gratitude to all who have served and who are currently serving in the military for their willingness to be courageous and 'fight' so that me and my family can be free.  It's because of all of these people that I am able to come and go as I please without fear of consequence.
I appreciate my grandfathers for their valiant service both in Europe and the South Pacific.  I am thankful for my dad's efforts as an honorable member of the United States Air Force.  I am thankful for family members and close friends who have answered their 'call of duty' to go in places of danger and fight off the enemies of this world.  It is with deep respect that I thank these people.  We remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, with their own lives. 
As you go throughout your day, please remember that it is because of so many people that our lives are what they are. 

Several years ago, a friend received his orders of 'deployment'.  He was extremely nervous about the assignment, knowing that his batallion was going into a 'hot spot' where lives had already been lost.  I felt impressed to go by and visit this young man before he left.  While I visited with him, I got another impression that I should offer him a priesthood blessing.  He gladly accepted.  As I gave him the blessing, the words came into my mind that I should tell him that as long as he would do his part and stay out of unecessary places of danger, and also stay away from alcohol and other substances that would inhibit making good and wise decisions, that he would come home and his life would be spared.  There was no promise that he would not experience injury, rather, that he would come home alive.  When the blessing concluded, I reiterated that part of the blessing.  He agreed that he would do his part, and I promised that God would definitely do His.  The months passed by and the day arrived when this young soldier came home.  He had lived up to his end of the deal and God had done His part, too. 

In God We Trust.  This is a choice land and I am grateful to be a part of it.  I thank God for His love for me.  Let today be a reminder of what we have.