First~ Welcome new followers I appreciate your interest and am delighted that you have taken the time to read my musings. I am honored.
As some of you know, My brother is ( the one who I just visited...) is a C17 pilot.
When he was 7 or 8 my mom took him to an airshow and he said- "that's what I want to do"...and today actually today he is flying in the OSH KOSH AIRSHOW.
Talk about focus. I could use a portion of that type of drive.
Earlier this week -as some of you may know- a C17 crashed in Anchorage Alaska- one practicing for an airshow. The ARCTIC THUNDER AIRSHOW. All four airmen aboard deceased.
I had just returned home from my visit with my brother when I heard this. I had just watched how his children adore him and his wife patiently and gracefully shoulders so much- so he can serve.
I crumpled when I heard this news- and my heart literally broke for the wives, children, sisters, friends and family of these men. It hit so close to home.
I am not sure of the details but I do know they had my brother and his crew flew the tribute flight as the grand finale to these fine airmen at the Osh Kosh Airshow. What a somber honor.
All of this while the USA had it's deadliest month in Afghanistan.
To the Elmendorf Airforce and Air National Guard Family... I am sorry.
Thank You for your gift to us and May God grace you each with comfort.
To the countless families and friends of fallen soldiers - especially this past month- Thank You.
I will celebrate my freedom vigorously...and I will teach my daughter that her life as she knows it is bought with blood.
My desire is to challenge us each to reflect on the reality that are a very blessed nation and we have the finest sacrificial men and women defending our freedom.
Major Aaron W. Malone ~249th Airlift Squadron
Major Micheal H. Freyholtz~ 249th Airlift Squadron
Captian Jeffrey A. Hill ~ 517th Airlift Squadron
Master Sergeant Thomas E. Cicardo ~ 249th Airlift Squadron
Romans 8:21 (Amplified Bible)
21That nature (creation) itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and corruption [and gain an entrance] into the glorious freedom of God's children.
Executive Mansion,
ReplyDeleteWashington, Nov. 21, 1864.
Dear Madam,--
I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.
I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln
Caleb~Thank you for sharing this... I love you.
ReplyDeleteHi Mel,
ReplyDeleteYesterday my church held a corporate prayer day (we keep the doors open all day and people come and go). As I was in prayer I heard a mom next to me pray "thank you Lord for the freedom to praise you". I thought about that all day....we are truly blessed to live on this soil.
I hope to instill this into my kids...the wonderful freedom they have. I am so thankful for men like your brother...may the Lord bless him and his young family today.
Have a great day.
Elisa
Mel, be sure to tell your brother THANK YOU for serving. It breaks my heart to pieces each and every time I hear of someone serving our country die. It doesn't matter HOW they died, it just hurts that they did. Those people gave so unselfishly to serve for our FREEDOM. Just their service alone puts them on a pedestal in my eyes.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the faces of those who perished just brings it all closer to home. We miss our son, SrA J.E. Roberts, Firefighter - so deeply each and every day. The only saving grace to my sanity is knowing that Jordan is in Heaven now. God reached for his hand on the early morning of 2-4-09. Jordan did not die in a war, but he did serve our country with zest and love.
((hugs)) to you and yours,
Becky
how sad Mel....and yes, I would say that would affect you so personally....my oldest son has talked about being a chaplain in the air force - but I read that "do not worry" is in the Bible 364 times....so that kind of helps!
ReplyDeletexo+blessings,
Anne Marie
Thanks Sis. I love you.
ReplyDelete~Jess
Jess~ Be sure and read all the people who thanked you... they mean it!
ReplyDeleteVery well said.
ReplyDeleteFreedom is anything but free, and my heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones.
Thank you for this post, Mel.
Way to show your support and thanks to our servicemen, they sacrifice Everything!!
ReplyDelete