America owes you an enormous debt of gratitude for your service and sacrifice. Our country would be in dire circumstances without the men and women like you who put their lives in jeopardy everyday to protect our freedom. As a Vietnam Veteran 63’-68’, I salute you!

During the 60’s it was “cool” to protest or avoid doing your duty to serve and protect your country. Those who were drafted into service, did their best. Still again, some volunteered to go to war. Today, there is another caliber of brothers and sisters like you, who stepped up and said “I am ready to do my best, to do my duty” to protect America from oppression, to maintain the freedom, the rights, and the joy that many Americans take for granted.

Everyday I give several thoughts to our Creator about our founding fathers words, and each and every American who has sacrificed to maintain our freedom and our lives. These sacrifices are not given easily, but they are freely given, so that our children may live in a world of peace.

I still can’t puzzle out why things happen the way they do, but to paraphrase Ecclesiastics 3:
“There is an appointed time for everything and a time for every event under heaven. There is a time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace”. God has given the sons and daughters of men this momentous task with which they must occupy themselves.

Every Saturday from 11 to noon, a group of veterans and families who have sons and daughters in the military gather at our county seat, the West Chester, PA county courthouse, in the rain, the snow, the cold, and the heat. We stand as ONE to honor those who bravely serve our country. We call ourselves the American Sheep Dogs. A sheep dog protects the flock of sheep from the wolves, the vicious predators, that prey on the helpless sheep. Our military are Sheep Dogs. Your gallant service provides the unassuming American with protection from the wolf, from evil. We are also believers that victory is always the answer and peace comes through military strength, our faith in God, and our colleagues in arms.

Minutes turn into hours, hours into days, days into weeks, weeks into years each and everyone precious, but filled with trials and tribulations – But you are never ever alone in this world’s journey. Words are easy to put onto paper, but your valiant service precedes you. We love and appreciate what you do, the things every service man or woman does for us everyday. All our troops, past and present, are our greatest strengths and our greatest patriots and as such, they represent the best of America. You all are one with us and will never be alone. Your brothers and sisters at arms are always with you.

For the injured and wounded, I know in my heart, your journey to recovery is not easy. I also know that being the soldier you are, the strength you garner from within, from God (who constantly tests us), from your loving and ever faithful family, and your fellow military you will defeat all the seemingly impossible obstacles placed in your way.

Again, my thoughts and prayers and of those of all Americans go with you every minute of every day.

May God Bless you and keep you and your family safe forever.

Advertisement