Good morning, happy Monday, and happy Memorial Day!
“The price of freedom may be high, but never so costly as the loss of freedom.”
– Ronald Regan
Our TV sets have been bombarded with images of anti-Israel, and in many cases anti-United States, protests recently. I know much of this can be disturbing and causes a good many of us to wonder ‘what the heck is happening in our country?!’
Hate is very real and is a very powerful force.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
This is where our military comes in. Love of country drives these amazing people. Honor, integrity, courage, loyalty … these are the traits our brave military members display day after day, month after month, year after year, decade after decade, century after century.
These brave men and women of our military have fought, and in many cases died, for the freedom that all of us currently enjoy. Even the protestors who are chanting hate only have the freedom to do so because of the sacrifice of our military members.
Do you think these types of protests would be allowed in Russia or China or Venezuela or Cuba or Iran? We all know what happens to people who speak out in these countries.
How ironic is this? The military members lay their lives on the line and sacrifice so much for love of country … including those who hate the country.
This must be so discouraging, and I think it is imperative that we express our sincere gratitude to these heroes in our military. We, the citizens they protect, must let them know we have their back.
Our military reminds me of the Mother Teresa quote:
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered,
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives,
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies,
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you,
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight,
Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous,
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today will often be forgotten,
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have and it will never be good enough,
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God,
It was never between you and them anyway.
There are roughly 3 million people who are actively serving in the military of the United States. In the history of our great nation over 41 million Americans have served in the military. I know a good number of you reading this have served, and almost every one of us knows someone personally who has served or is serving in the military. There is no perfect group of people, but our U.S. military encompasses the best of our society and the best of humanity.
To the members of the military of the United States and our allies, I thank you. We are only free because of your sacrifice. Your contributions matter and because of the work you do the world is a better, stronger, safer place.
THANK YOU!
If you get an opportunity to thank a service member this week, please do not pass on the opportunity to do so.
Have a wonderful week ahead, please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can be of any assistance.