An American Soldier and His Family

Few places are as sacred as where a soldier rests in peace; under the warmth of the sun, the chill of the rain, and the passing of time. What were their stories? Who were they? I wish I knew…

What is one word you would use to describe a soldier? Mine would be sacrifice and most do so willingly.

Maybe it's because I married a soldier, or perhaps its because I'm the daughter of a Naval Fighter Pilot, and it could be that a man I grew up with is a Navy corpsman who was injured in Iraq, but I've spent a great deal of time thinking of all our Veterans; male and female, past and present. I've thought of the ones lucky enough to make it home to family and I've thought about the ones who gave up their lives for another.

Not a day goes by that I'm not indebted for what Veterans have done for me. I think of them when I'm safe at home; I think of them when I'm dining out at a restaurant or enjoying a movie; I think of them when my husband holds me or I shower my little ones with kisses. I live in relative safety and luxury compared to what they endure and they have done so voluntarily and may God bless them for it.

I cherish the men who fought in Vietnam and endured unspeakable treatment upon returning home to the states. We, civilians, are nothing compared to such men because we have never been put in such positions. Our lives are decadent in comparison and personal sacrifice for our freedom is not something all of us experience or even understand.

And so, merely saying thank you to a soldier will never be enough…it can't be enough because they deserve much better.

Here in Colorado Springs, we love and support our troops. It's a comfort and a blessing to see men and women in uniform on a daily basis and to watch as families spend gentle moments together.

One evening my family stopped by a local restaurant in our beloved city. We sat down in a booth next to a young soldier and his family - the parent's couldn't have been older than 30 and they had two children with them; a boy and a girl. While we didn't mean to eavesdrop, it was apparent from their tender conversation that the soldier would be leaving for Iraq. The way the parent's explained 'dad's deployment' in such reassuring tones and how proud the father was to do something positive for his country, and for Iraq, and how respectful the children were in return, is something that has stayed with me.

The father encouraged his son to be the man of the house and to treat his mother with respect, and he encouraged his daughter to do what she's told and to remember her chores, and most importantly - they were to support one another.

Not once during their meal did anyone complain. In all essence, they were a beautiful All American family accepting their circumstances and showing each other a level of love and respect I don't see very often.

And as this memory remains fresh, I'll remember to pray for this soldier and his family, and I hope that people in general will pray for our troops and to support them because they freely give of themselves to ensure freedom for the rest of us.