A Thank You to our Military

This e-mail was circulating around members of our congregation, and I wanted to share it with you for Memorial Day. It is SO EASY to take our freedom for granted. Yes, more and more liberals are trying to take away our freedoms; however, we still do have the freedom to worship the One and only True God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And we are free to go where we want to, spend our time as we want to, etc. May we take this time to thank God for our freedom and for the brave men and women who have stood in harm's way to preserve our freedom. Also, may we take the time to thank God for our president who has had the faith and courage to preserve our freedom by standing strong and not letting other countries push us around. Also, he believes in our military. Most of all, he believes in Christ. Yes, he has made mistakes and so has our military, but they are all sinners just like us. They need our prayers and support! (spouses and families of servicemen too) By the way, I heard today that the heat in Iraq is sweltering hot. That takes committment for our soldiers to endure that for us, doesn't it? Wow, I have to admit, I would be a wimp of a soldier!

Here's the email: "Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we had boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who?d been invited to sit in First Class (and was seated across from me), and inquired if he was heading home. No, he responded. Heading out? I asked. No. I'm escorting a soldier home. Going to pick him up? No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq. I'm taking him home to his family. The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he did know them after so many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do. Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom. Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door [so as to] allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign. Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American. So here's a public thank you to our military for doing what you do so we can live the way we do." Stuart Margel, Washington,DC