Thank God that men like that lived.
It’s Memorial Day weekend, a time to remember our soldiers, the sacrifices both they and their families make daily for us. It’s times like this that I remember the Patton quote “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” I come from a military family, even though I never served. Grandfather served under Eisenhower, father/1 uncle tours in Vietnam, another uncle 25 years in the airforce, and a younger brother in the Marines right now. Grew up in VFW’s and American legions all over eastern Pa. Hell, my first slow dance with a woman was in a VFW, so many pivotal times in my life occured around veterans that I truly embrace and feel that quote by Patton. To me it makes such perfect sense as to be an indisputable truth.
I think when it’s all said and done that my biggest problem with “liberals” is that they have, for the most part, have no clue as to what makes a soldier or his/her family tick. Oh they think they are supporting the troops but it’s hard to support something you can’t understand. There’s an urge, a need to protect what is important to them, and invariably it’s their country/friends/family/freedoms etc. These are people who value the well being of others over themselves so highly that they are willing to risk their lives daily. It’s not a job to them, it’s a duty nay a privelege. Contrary to John Edwards belief about bumper stickers there’s a really good one about soldiers “For those that have fought for freedom it has a taste that the protected will never know”. It’s true, talk to a veteran, ask them why they do what they do. Look into their eyes, you will see something that almost no liberal will ever be able to understand, a true passion for protecting this country. Ask a guy who did multiple tours in Vietnam or Iraq, why they went back or re-enlisted to go back. These are people, that without whom our country wouldn’t exist. It’s truly a direct link back to the founding fathers and the soldiers of the American Revolution. They aren’t just the greatest fighting force in the world, they are also the greatest providers of humanitarian aid in the world, some of our greatest leaders, poets, philosphers, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and no greater friend then a US soldier. Some say America’s greatest power to influence the world is our economic might. Personally I think it’s our military’s ability to protect us. Take a moment this weekend between bbq’s and family gatherings and thank a vet. Take a moment this weekend and silently thank whatever power you believe in that people like these lived.
