Veteran's Day

Yesterday in church, all veterans were asked to stand and we honored them. Then anyone with family currently serving in the military were asked to stand and we honored the sacrifice their family was making in the present. Then as a church we sang "God Bless The U.S.A.". I have to admit, I haven't always treated Veteran's Day as reverently as I should, and my dad is a veteran. I was 16 when he went to Operation Desert Storm for 6 months. I remember this because I only got 1 driving lesson with my dad and then he was shipped out. My mom had to teach me to drive (and she did a good job!). He was also in Vietnam, though I don't remember that specifically as I wasn't born yet. Too often I lump Veteran's Day in with a bunch of other holidays that just give the Post Office and banks an excuse to be closed. But Saturday night I got a forwarded e-mail with 2 pictures that really touched me. As we sang "God Bless The U.S.A." on Sunday, I couldn't get those 2 pictures out of my mind. I practically cried through the whole song. I wanted to share the pictures with you. An interesting note about the pictures too, they were honored at this year's International Picture of the Year - they got 1st place and 2nd place. Here they are with stories to explain them:

First Place-
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News - When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport, Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac. During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport, Major Steve Beck described the scene as so powerful: "See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home," he said. "They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should."

Second Place -

Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News -
The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. "I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it," she said. "I think that's what he would have wanted."
For those that can't think of the lyrics to the song I mentioned off the top of your head - here's the lyrics to read over. I cry everytime I hear this song and that goes back to me being a teenager, but I used to think the title was "I'm Proud to be an American". I think "God Bless The U.S.A." is more appropriate though - good choice Lee Greenwood!

God Bless The U.S.A.
by Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.

That I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

Tell a veteran "Thank you!" today - God Bless America!