The Real American Hero

Every day, millions of Americans, all across the country, wake up, eat breakfast and go to work.
Every day, millions of Americans, all across the country, worship God freely in their homes, their communities, and their churches.
Every day, millions of Americans, all across the country, take their children outside to play.
Every day, millions of Americans, all across the country, take their families to movies, dinners, entertainment venues, churches, amusement parks and sporting events.
Every day, fathers across America, take their little boys fishing, hunting, camping and hiking.
Every day, mothers across America, take their little girls shopping, to parties, and to plays.
Every day, families sit with each other around the supper table, hold hands, and thank God for their day, their health, and their meal.
Every day, millions of mothers and fathers across America answer the question “why” to their little children, whos minds are growing every day.
Every day, millions of Americans, all across the country, are free to speak without fear of being arrested or detained for their point of view.
Every day, millions of Americans, all across the country, lay their heads down at night, to a peaceful sleep, knowing that they live in a country, that is a safe country, a strong country, and a just country.

Every day, millions of Americans, all across the country, go through the motions of their daily lives, as mentioned above, but most forget that men and women just like them, gave the ultimate sacrifice-their lives, so that you, me and every other American in the land can live in a free country, and enjoy the everyday things that most take for granted. They gave up those freedoms, so you and I could have them instead. Men and women who had families to provide for…men and women who had children waiting in anticipation for mommy or daddy to come home…they had families, mothers, fathers, wives, and children, all of whom loved them beyond all measure. These were the men, and women who gave their lives without question for a cause. A cause that is still as just today, as it was yesterday, and will still be as just 100 years from now. These men and women died for something they believed in. An ideal that stated that every man was born equal, and endowed by God with unalienable rights, that included life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They believed in Freedom-freedom from oppression, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom to live their lives as they see fit. Those ideals are still alive and well in America today, because those men and women gave their all to ensure that future generations enjoyed those very same freedoms. Many parents lost children. Many wives lost husbands, and husbands, wives. Many children waited in vain for a mommy or daddy that would never come home. It was because of those sacrifices made, that we live in the country we live in today. Those soldiers believed in something bigger than themselves, and they fought for it tooth and nail, many of them gave their life for you, and for me.

This Memorial Day, families and friends will gather together for cookouts, get-togethers and parties. You and I will no doubt most likely be among those groups. While we enjoy the company of our friends and families, and while we enjoy the company of our parents, and our children, let us all keep in mind the men and women who will be missing family members this Memorial Day. Let us not forget to remember those who gave their all, so that we could be with the ones we love. If you know someone who has lost a loved one fighting for our freedoms, invite them over...many of them have lost loved ones, and have nobody to celebrate with. Give them a place to come, and honor their loved ones who have given their lives. Many children have lost their parents, and many men and women have lost their spouses. Let them know that their loved ones are heros, and thank them for the sacrifice they’ve given. If you know someone who has risked his or her life fighting for our freedom, thank them. They can’t be thanked enough. Without them, we wouldn’t be here today, much less, enjoying the life we all take for granted way too often. To all Veterans, past and present, and to all active members of the American military, thank you. Thank you for your courage, strength, and resolve. Thank you for your belief in the ideals that make America the great nation she is, and thank you for your willingness to protect those ideals with your life. You truly are the real American Heros.