Whether you’re a fan of Hank Williams Jr. or not, you have to acknowledge that he summed things up pretty durn’ good when he crooned, “You’ll never see those refugees heading the other way.”

Not only having the privilege of being born into this free citizen-governed nation, but being raised in a home where our patriotism was celebrated, not mocked, I was destined to do my part with so many others in serving our country. 

I spent eight years in the Marines, taking my patriotism up several notches and celebrating the family I have in my past, present, and future brothers and sisters-in-arms (once a Marine, always a Marine) and left only because I had fallen in love with my wife and knew our time would be fleeting had I reenlisted.  I was honorably discharged and focused on making a life with my wife, yet never forgetting my commitment to our country and to my “family”.

Every year I pause in prayer (more often than that actually; however, especially now in observance of Memorial Day and again on Veteran’s Day) and ponder, sometimes grieve, and sometimes even smile – yet always celebrating those who not only have gone on before me but paid the ultimate price so that others may live and not only celebrate them, but spit on them if they so choose. 

This giving of life for the betterment of others reminds me of another amazingly true story of martyrdom by our great Savior, Jesus Christ not to compare mind you (even in giving their lives for our country there is no comparison in that regard), but simply to acknowledge and celebrate the giving away of ALL things, all purposes, all smiles and cries, sons, daughters, husbands and wives – letting it all slip away - for the protection, betterment and ultimately the love of all beyond self.  Is there a greater gift we should recognize under God?  I think not!

So, our merciful God entrusted to me a passion for writing and the ability to do so.  With that, I’ve often penned poems about those things and those heroes that tug at me.  Memorial Day is everyday for me so it often becomes the focus of these poems of mine.  This year, I hope you’ll keep tabs on my blogs as I use them as a forum to share these bits and pieces of poetry over the next several days in hopes that you might be encouraged to stop sometime this weekend, get on your knees, and pray not only for our troops, past present and future, but pray a thankful prayer to those who gave all, and an encouraging prayer to all families who have experienced loss through this greatest of sacrifices. 

Finally, I hope you are also encouraged to once again unfurl your flags, beat the dust from them, and let them dance upon the wind of a free and sovereign country.  Hank Jr. said it best “You don’t see those refugees heading the other way.”

May God bless your Memorial Day by giving it teeth this year,

Kevin

www.Just-Hunt.com

Tags: Memorial Day Troops Veteran Holiday Free Hero

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