Memorial Day

"How have the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle!..." --2 Samuel 1:25
 
Three years ago, we spent our Memorial Day weekend/week in Washington, DC. The World War II memorial was dedicated that same weekend; we visited Mount Vernon, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam and Korean War memorials. We spent some time at the National Archives. On our way home, we stopped at Atietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg, MD. ¹

As we visited each of these national monuments, I was in awe of the sacrifices the men and women who founded and fought for this country had made; I am still amazed at the insight and wisdom of the founding fathers as they laid the foundations for this great country we call The United States of America. And I am humbled by the fact that many lives were and are still being given for the privileges we enjoy. This is STILL the best, the GREATEST country on the face of the earth! I am proud to be an American, especially on this day when we pause and consider the price that has been paid for our freedoms. To those who serve in our military and to their families...THANK YOU!

As I think about those great Americans of the past, I am also saddened by the actions and apparent attitudes of our current day lawmakers/national leaders. I don't see the same love of country and fellow man. I see greed and deceit, and it makes me very sad and angry. Lawmakers are more interested in being re-elected than doing the "right thing." Consequently, we get "bridges to nowhere" to the tune of $450 million dollars. We have millions of dollars in low interest loans being doled out under the Terrorist Relief Act to businesses like Dunkin' Donuts in Essex Junction, VA. (The owner claimed the 9/11 attacks affected his business). Medicaid spends millions of dollars on Viagra and other erectile dysfunction drugs...all at taxpayers expense and all under the "watchful eye" of our dedicated lawmakers (heavy sarcasm). Rather than being men and women of integrity and honesty, we get "public servants" that give us lines such as: "I never inhaled" or "That depends on what the definition of 'is' is" or "This is not amnesty." A far cry from the days of men like Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln.

Today, I am grateful there are still men and women that believe in America. They serve in our military, selflessly giving their time away from home and families, and sometimes giving their lives.

Thank God for "mighty men" (and women).

¹The bloodiest one-day battle in American history, 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862.