A Huge Debt of Gratitude

As we celebrate the beginning of the summer season this weekend, let's all take time to remember our military men and women and their families. This is meant to be a time of remembrance and thanks for their sacrifices in service to our country. Both of my parents were in the Army during WWII. My dad was drafted as a young married man. My mom was a nurse. When my father was shipped overseas, my mother, who was pregnant, lost the baby late term. After that, she enlisted in the Army as a second lieutenant, requesting the European theater. Through some help from my dad's colonel, they spent their third wedding anniversary in Paris. "Six glorious days" according to my mom's scrapbook. There was an article in the local papers titled Love Refuses to Be Sidetracked. They each spent their time in Europe, but didn't see each other again until they were discharged at the end of the war. When we were children, they took us to every Memorial Day service in our community. We learned love and respect for the United States of America. To this day, tears come to my eyes when I hear our National Anthem. I've traveled extensively outside our country and even lived for a while in Europe, but have yet to find a place that even comes close to home. We are so fortunate, and I'm afraid many today do not realize exactly how fortunate we are. We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to those who serve, and this is the weekend to honor them. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.