Armed Forces Day

From Jacqui Murray at Worddreams :

Many Americans celebrate Armed Forces Day annually on the third Saturday of May. It is a day to pay tribute to men and women who serve the United States’ armed forces. Armed Forces Day is also part of Armed Forces Week, which begins on the second Saturday of May.

Original Post: https://wp.me/p90mx-4lF

“Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.”
Psalm 144:1, 2 (NIV)

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Salute

The word-wide obsession with our devices and mankind whirling along the surface of the earth without actually living on it has me thinking. For all our technological advances we may have missed something important.

Spoiler alert: While I believe God blesses America, I am not blind or ignorant. We’re in a mess. And yet we’re a blessed mess. “And that’s all I have to say about that.”

So, now that’s out of the way:

I’ve noticed a distinctive change in American society. I admit, I’ve corrected youngsters for being disruptive or disrespectful during the National Anthem at baseball games, etc. That’s old school and can be risky. It’s also one of the perks of being old.

As a kid when I stepped out of line, whether they knew me, my family or not, a momma or a father was often quick to correct me. It was perfectly acceptable then and I appreciate their guidance more now than ever.

Today in our litigious society, we may have missed the importance of teaching our history, our good traditions to our young. Things like pausing for the playing of the National Anthem, saying the Pledge of Allegiance and what it all means. I didn’t learn it in school – I learned at home. While it may be part of a teacher’s seemingly endless job, it’s not their responsibility; it’s the parents’. And don’t get me started about showing appreciation for service persons in uniform…

So, before I start another rabbit trail, on this Independence Day, I apologize for the poor quality of the following video. Like me it’s old school. But as a society we need to hear the message. Like our full, accurate history, complete with some shameful attitudes and incorrectness, it’s important to remember what it’s all about.

Feel free to stand. Or pray.

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)

Day Three – Three Day Quote Challenge

My nominees for the Three Day Quote Challenge are:

Debbie at Butterfly Ramblings
Paul at A Christ Led Journey
Amir at World of Horror

Third only to God and family I love my country. Volumes of quotes come to mind with the thought. Hours later the most prevalent quotes may not be the most well-known today:

“…In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shank from this responsibility — I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it — and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you.” John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961

I was a child at the time, but I clearly recall the following months, the mounting atmosphere of trepidation, air raid drills in school, and then the global sigh of relief.

 

I simply must also add:
“Ladies and gentlemen, I was warned to be out of here in plenty of time to permit those who are going to the Green Bay Packers game to leave. I don’t mind running against Mr. Nixon, but I have the good sense not to run against the Green Bay Packers.” JFK quote 

Go Packs!

My personal favorite, which also grieves me most on many levels today:

“We in this country, in this generation, are, by destiny rather than choice, the watchmen on the walls of world freedom. We ask, therefore, that we may be worthy of our power and responsibility, that we may exercise our strength with wisdom and restraint, and that we may achieve in our time and for all time the ancient vision of ‘peace on earth, goodwill toward men.’ That must always be our goal, and the righteousness of our cause must always underlie our strength. For as it was written long ago, ‘except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.’” John F. Kennedy, Undelivered luncheon speech, Dallas, Texas November 22, 1963
 

Síocháin
(Peace)