During World War I, the U.S. suffered 117,000 casualties.
In World War II, 407,300 American GI's lost their fighting for the freedom of the world.
During the Korean War, 54,000. Vietnam: 58,209.
The first Persian Gulf war saw 382 casualties.
As of today, at the Iraqi / Afghan war, 3,435 American lives were lost.
There are those that made the ultimate sacrifices with their loss of body functions, sight, limbs, even suffering death. As I sat in the air conditioned auditorium surrounded by well-dressed people, I remembered what it was like in the trenches, to be out in the heat, wondering if I would make it back home on my own two feet or in a body bag. Many soldiers have come home to happy family members. Many did not.
As the congregation proudly sang the Star Spangled Banner in church, I could not with all my might finish the last verse as tears filled my eyes and tightness gripped my throat.
I would gladly trade places with one of our soldiers out there to allow him to spend time with his loving family, so that he may also see the appreciation we have for his sacrifices.
I don't know if I will fully appreciate what Jesus did for me on the cross, but I'm grateful for the life that I have through him. I also don't know if I will fully comprehend the sacrifices made for me to maintain my freedoms. But I am glad to have been given the opportunity to become a part of it.
In World War II, 407,300 American GI's lost their fighting for the freedom of the world.
During the Korean War, 54,000. Vietnam: 58,209.
The first Persian Gulf war saw 382 casualties.
As of today, at the Iraqi / Afghan war, 3,435 American lives were lost.
There are those that made the ultimate sacrifices with their loss of body functions, sight, limbs, even suffering death. As I sat in the air conditioned auditorium surrounded by well-dressed people, I remembered what it was like in the trenches, to be out in the heat, wondering if I would make it back home on my own two feet or in a body bag. Many soldiers have come home to happy family members. Many did not.
As the congregation proudly sang the Star Spangled Banner in church, I could not with all my might finish the last verse as tears filled my eyes and tightness gripped my throat.
I would gladly trade places with one of our soldiers out there to allow him to spend time with his loving family, so that he may also see the appreciation we have for his sacrifices.
I don't know if I will fully appreciate what Jesus did for me on the cross, but I'm grateful for the life that I have through him. I also don't know if I will fully comprehend the sacrifices made for me to maintain my freedoms. But I am glad to have been given the opportunity to become a part of it.
Soldier, rest, thy warfare o'er,
Dream of fighting fields no more.
Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking,
Morn of toil, nor night of waking.
---Sir Walter Scott
3 comments:
This is a very touching post Noel.
I can never hear the
Star Spangled Banner" without getting tears in my eyes.
The year after 911, when the Legacy Five Quartet was singing in Mohawk College, I asked Roger Bennett at intermission if they would sing it in the second half of the concert.
We gave each of the guys a "United We Stand" pin for their jackets and they wore them in the last half of the concert and when they sang that song, there was hardly a dry eye in the place!
They got standing ovation and for Canada THAT in itself was almost a miracle!
Thank you for sharing with us such a good post Noel.
You and all the other troops are our heros!...from Terry
This was good.
Dood morning Noel Lewis..
Just stopped by to say hi and to tell you I am thinking of you and hoping you are having a blessed Sunday....Gotta' run after some Sunday School kids now....Love Terry
Post a Comment