A Soldier's Story

Cold and wet. Dark and dirty. This is what I am seeing from the bottom of my foxhole. I can hear the bullets whizzing above my head and the cries of men who have fallen but can’t be attended to. I wonder what home is like. Is the sun setting over another beautiful Carolina day? Has my family already eaten supper and gone to bed? I miss home but I am here for the sake of my country and more importantly for the sake of righteousness. I can endure the meager rations and snow and deafening cannon noises. I will endure another night curled up in this hole with my best friend fighting the seemingly endless tide of enemy soldiers. I believe that God has called us to rid the world of this monster that has taken over all of Europe or almost. We are slowly taking back ground. I landed on the continent amid the hail of machine guns and German curses. I can’t tell you what I felt knowing that someone who has never even met me could hate me so much. I saw so many of my fellow invaders fall right there on the beach and I waded through their blood that turned the sea warm and red. Now, I am here in some country that I had never really heard of fighting off the most threatening enemy thus far, the cold. The snow falls and falls and it is a novelty to me. We don’t get too much of it in my home state. God, however, didn’t mean for the stillness and serene beauty to be marred by blood and ungodly sounds. We are to march into the town in the morning and take it back for the French citizens. The last place was destroyed but the people were so thankful that we had freed them. We gave them tastes of home, chocolate and liquor and kisses from American GIs. That place was full of joy among the ruins. I hope the next place will be so appreciative.

I never dreamed when I was little that I would be here doing this when I “grew up,” but, the greatest things that we can do are those things which require the most sacrifice. When this is over, I don’t want parades and accolades. I just want to go back to the way I was. I know that can never happen. My innocence is gone and so is my belief that people are inherently good. I want to go home and find a woman that I’ll love with all my being and marry her and make a better life for my children. I want the future generations to live life without the shadow of tyranny. For them to cultivate their freedoms and never forget that there are those who gave everything, including their lives so that America and Europe could be free.

I wrote this in 2008 but it is still relevant!  Thank you to all who have served America so that we can be free.  All wars from the Revolution to the current war in Afghanistan, you are not forgotten!

We Remember

This morning, as is our family tradition, we delivered muffins to all the former soldiers is our neighborhood. We have 10 houses in our neighborhood and 4 former soldiers. One, Mr. Jack, served in the Korean war at the very end of the war. Mr. McGuinn and his son, Mr. McGuinn, both served. One in Vietnam and the other retired due to an injury he suffered while serving. Mr. John was in the army and served in Vietnam as well.  My friend, Rich, is/was a Marine who served in Central America in the 80s.  My friend, Skip, also, served in Vietnam. These men(& women) and all the others like him are heroes to me. They give up so much for us so that we can have freedom. I would not, could not serve in the military because #1 I am a chicken and  #2 I am too old now. For their sacrifice of their time and of their families and for some, of their lives, I am eternally grateful.
Memorial Day, for my family, is not just for remembering those who died in service of their country but for those who lost family members, body parts, and those who lost time with their families. Some soldiers go overseas and aren't there to see their children being born or graduating from high school. The spouses who are left behind are in essence single parents who struggle to hold it together while living in constant fear(see previous post) of a hand delivered telegram announcing that their soldier will not return. There are kids who don't know their daddies and mommies when they come home because it has been so long. I can relate to that just a little bit. After spending 81 days in the hospital, my 18 month old knew me as mommy in name only. I was just someone he visited a couple times a week. My mother-in-law became his mommy. I was only gone a short time but these soldiers are gone for maybe years at a time with a few weeks to visit during their tours. Hats off to you(I am literally wearing one or was until just now).
My freedom and the freedom of countless millions of people are accredited to God and to you. You make the hard choices and the tough sacrifices. Without our young men and women, there may be no Jews left or a free Europe(though that is debatable). Women in Afghanistan & in Iraq would be completely covered & completely at the mercy of their husbands. Oil or no oil, we have done a good thing. These young people have fought & died so that others might live. Jesus spoke of this when He said, "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay his life down for his friend."

This post was originally written 4 years ago but is true today!

To Honor Those Who Gave All

"There will be a child who will live because men left the security they enjoyed in their home to come to his.  "He will have the gift of freedom which I have enjoyed for so long myself, and if my life brings the safety of a child who will one day change the world, then I know that it was all worth it."  U.S. Marine Sgt William Stacey

Stacey was killed in Afghanistan and wrote that in a letter to be read upon the event of his death.  I think this says it all for all those who have sacrificed themselves for there fellow countrymen.

Here are some posts that I wrote in honor of Memorial Day.  I hope that you enjoy them!
Patriots

Memorial Day


Greater love has no man than this: that he lay his life down for his brother! John 15:13

Memorial Day

John 15:13 (New International Version)

¹³ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Transparent Thursday-Bless Their Heart Edition

This edition of TT is the Bless Their Hearts edition. If you aren't Southern or just plain don't know what that is, let me explain. In the South, we phrase anything that may be insulting or critical with "Bless their hearts." That just basically gives us license to say what we please and get away with it. Allow me to give you an example. I am putting on my thick Southern drawl...give me a sec.......

Ok, now, "Bless her heart but should she really have been wearing that dress with those shoes? I mean really?" Get the picture? Ok let's go!

Dweej from House Unseen, Life Unscripted, states that she ate more candy than her kids did. Well, bless my heart, so did I! Maybe I should say, "Bless my thighs!"

I am having mixed emotions about Osama Bin Laden being killed, "Bless his heart." One 1 hand I am sad because he died without knowing his Creator and Savior. The Lord, Himself, said that He didn't want any to perish. On the other hand, OBL was a horrible, evil man "Bless his heart." He slaughtered thousands of people and he deserves to rot and burn in Hell. I am conflicted! "Bless my heart."

My internet provider sucks! "Bless their hearts" they have had the most problems at my house. We have our cable and internet bundled and they have been the worst! We have been without internet since Sunday. They have agreed to refund us for the days but what about the ebay stuff I missed!

I was blessed to witness the coming home of a US Soldier who was shot down in the line of duty. He was flown into our local airport. He was then driven through town escorted by the Patriot Guard. The Patriot Guard escorts fallen soldiers until they are safely home. But the thing that got me was the helicopter that hovered over the hearse as the hero's body was safely brought home. I was blown away by the patriotism that was shown. "Bless my heart", I had no idea that people could still be so attentive! RIP SGT Terry Varnadore!

What do you have to confess? Whose hearts can you bless today?