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Thursday, November 11, 2010

GARY EMINETH: THANK A VETERAN


 

"The only two people on earth who will die for a perfect stranger?  That's easy - - Jesus Christ and the American GI."  I've watched enough movies, read enough books and listened to enough accounts of bravery and uncommon willingness to sacrifice life and limb on the battlefield to believe that statement.

 

Furthermore, most veterans and soldiers on active duty would not feel the need to qualify their response to urgent need in the face of imminent danger  "It's just what Americans do.  It's who Americans are."  In my experience, this is the heart and soul of the American soldier.

 

In an article published in a daily German newspaper on the 60th anniversary of the allied invasion of Normandy,  then Cardinal Josef Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) wrote this:

 

"When the landing of the allied troops in German - occupied France commenced June 6th, 1944, a signal of hope was given to people throughout the world, and to Germany itself, of imminent peace and freedom in Europe."

 

What sets the United States of America on a different plane than many other world powers is not the use of force -- it is the motivation for the deployment of troops into a conflict.  This, in my view, is what bears examination on this day set apart to honor those who have served in the military and those men and women who continue to sacrifice for the cause of freedom.  We do not enter another country to conquer or to possess but to liberate from oppression, tyranny and terror. 

 

Certainly we want to take the time on Veteran's Day to remember, reflect and return thanks.  Abraham Lincoln eloquently reminds us in his address after the battle at Gettysburg that "It is fitting and right that we should do so."   It is part of the "Unfinished Work" to keep America free.

 

My son is playing in a band for a Veteran's Day ceremony and I am so thankful the school he attends is part of the commemoration of this very important day.

 

Ronald Reagan often exhorted the American people to do a better job of passing the love of freedom on to the next generation.  I hope you will stop and take some time out of your day to say "Thanks" to a Veteran, to an active duty soldier and to God for the gift of liberty and life in this country we so aptly call, "Land of the Free and Home of the Brave."

 

God Bless America

 

Gary Emineth

 

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Comments

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ada1 on November 13, 2010 at 09:34 am
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Jimy on March 14, 2011 at 03:07 pm
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