Make a Difference Monday -- Military

Whether you agree with the actions our government takes regarding war or not, there’s no denying that if it weren’t for our brave, and committed soldiers, we wouldn’t have the feeling of safety and freedom that we do. There are so many little freedoms in our country that we take for granted that those in other countries are not so fortunate to have.
One of my good friends is the wife of an Army soldier, and she and her kids are so proud of their soldier. This wife and mother of three goes for months at a time without seeing her husband, without help running the kids here and there, without help disciplining the kids, and the list goes on. For the majority of the past 7 years, she has basically acted as a single mother. You’d never know it because she has somehow gotten a hold of some of that military fortitude that helps her make it through each day with a smile. She knows that her husband is with her in spirit, and he knows his family is with him. Every time her husband’s troop comes home, she makes sure they have TV cameras, a parade, and hundreds of people there to greet them so they know they are loved and appreciated. I have to be honest and tell you that the first thing on my mind on Independence Day isn’t the thousands upon thousands of soldiers who are serving and who have served to gain and keep our great nation’s freedom. It generally doesn’t come to mind until someone says the prayer before lunch. Then, I’m reminded again by whatever beautiful display of fireworks I’m watching and possibly Lee Greenwood ; ). Soldiers make a difference in our lives literally each and every day even when we don’t think about it or realize it. It takes the heart of a servant to be a soldier, to fight for your country, and fellow countrymen. A bomb squad Marine told me recently that not everyone is cut out for military life, or to be the servant that the military requires, but for those who are, there’s no better life. He told me this after I thanked him for his service. He had just come back from his 5th tour in Middle East. He said he’d only been shot at 7 times this past tour, and that was pretty good. He literally risked his life with hundreds and thousands of other brave men and women from all over the place, and all I could say was a simple, “Thank You”.
While we may not be the ones defending our country, certainly we can make a small difference by taking the time to thank those who serve, and also thank their families for all they do to support them. Maybe you can even make a difference by visiting and helping a veteran, finding a way to help out a military family or by sending a care package to someone who is deployed. Maybe it’s time to not only thank those who make a difference in our lives, but maybe it’s time to make a difference in theirs.