IT IS THE SOLDIER

It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag

.©Copyright 1970, 2005 by Charles M. Province

Every Memorial Day stores have their sales, the government offices, banks, and others close for a long weekend.  Millions of Americans take advantage of the time to BBQ and enjoy other activities.  These things are not bad, but before we go to the sales, before we enjoy, the ball games, before we enjoy the outdoor BBQ, let us take time to remember those who have died in the service our great nation.

As the poem above  states, it is because of the soldier that we enjoy all the great freedoms that we have.  I am very grateful to our nation’s military for all the great things they do for us.  This weekend enjoy your plans, but why not add these activities to your Memorial Day Plans.

1.  Thank a soldier if you happen to run into one, and thank them for their service to this great nation.  (As a bonus, buy their meal if they are in a restaurant.  When my dad and I were in the Dallas airport a few years ago it was our pleasure and honor to buy the meal of two brave soldiers who were on leave from their tour in Iraq.)

2.  Attend a church service.  Pray for our nation, pray for our military, and pray for our leaders.  Now more than ever we need God in our lives and country.

3.  Donate to a organiztion that benefits veterans.  It has been said: “God and the soldier are the first ones remembered in times of war, and the first ones forgotten in times of peace.”

until next time

Happy Memorial Day

God bless America, God bless our veterans

pastor greg t.