Priorities & Perspective

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"life lessons", America, balance, character training, choices, citizenship, compassion, faith, God, Human nature, Military appreciation, priorities, responsibilities, spiritual

A reflective light amidst the darkness and storms

I am a person of faith, and as such, the priorities of my life revolve around my personal relationship with God.  My love for him and the compassion and empathy I feel for others all flow from God. The fierceness of my love for my three children is rooted and tempered. In God. The tremendous gratitude and pride (not arrogance) that swells within me eminates ultimately from the throne of God.

There are those who believe that faith belongs only in a church or synagogue. I am not among them. Faith is who I am, but there are “apps” in each of our lives for that faith, places to use and apply our faith since faith without works is dead. Being an American citizen entitles me to share in the many rich choices available here. From the hundreds of varieties of shampoo to the fresh produce at the grocery to clothing, fragrances, cars, and technology. In exchange, I pay taxes and served my country a brief 3 years.

Now, my duties, my responsibilities to my children no longer include daily meals, laundry, and carpooling, so I am FREE to make other choices. Shall I join a bowling league? a Bridge Club? a local Tea Party? or lock myself within the 4 walls of a local congregation? There are a multitude of options. This is America!

America was birthed with a Godly purpose. She has grown, matured, and rebelled, just like any person. Now, she must grow up and become a mature, responsible, compassionate adult. The outcome is not my responsibility. The ultimate path of our nation is not my responsibility. It IS my responsibility, however, to do my part. It is the RIGHT place for me to APPLY my faith. It may not be for every person of faith, I suppose, but again, that is not my responsibility. I can only do my part. I am one voice, but I vow to be a persistent voice for balance, for compassion tempered by responsibility. I love my country and the people who call her “HOME.”

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Taking Time to Salute the Heroic 1 Percent

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"life lessons", Afghanistan, America, character training, Germany, gratitude, honor, Human nature, Iraq, Military appreciation, patriotism, patriots, respect, spiritual, WE THE PEOPLE

I talked to my daughter yesterday. She is active duty Army. She asked if I had heard about the 3 MPs killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan. They were from her current unit. The names had not been released yet.

Three US MPs based in Hohenfels, Germany killed in Afghanistan

Three U.S. soldiers died July 5, 2011, in Paktia province, Afghanistan of injuries suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.

They were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan fighting the Global War on Terror.

The soldiers were assigned to the 709th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Hohenfels, Germany.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Joshua A. Throckmorton, 28, of Battle Creek Michigan;

Spc. Jordan C. Schumann, 24, Port Saint Lucie, Florida; and

Spc. Preston J. Suter, 22, Sandy, Utah.

Politics, in general, is about ideas and ideals. It’s PEOPLE that make up our great nation. Those who dare to serve in uniform, from our local First Responders (police, fire, EMT, etc) to the Border Patrol to the US Military, are our unsung heroes. Their stories are untold and easily forgotten among the really important stories, like the “Casey Anthony” trial that command our attention.

Taking time to salute the 1 percent

“After nearly a decade of war, it’s easy to become numb to it.

“You read the newspaper, you watch the television and it just keeps coming, one day after another until it all runs together. You mourn the dead and you celebrate the victories, but you can’t allow yourself to feel too deeply or it becomes too much. If you’re one of the 99 percent of Americans not actively fighting this country’s battles, war is difficult to understand.

“But we must try. We owe it to the 1 percent.

“For them, it’s not complicated. It’s not about surges and drawdowns and Capitol Hill bickering. For the men and women who will lace up their boots in Afghanistan or Iraq today, their only goal is to complete the mission and lie down to sleep at night one day closer to coming home.” Each of these young men are REAL people, REAL Americans. They have families and loved ones, they have flaws, but they are heroes.

WOUNDED WARRIOR Softball Team

Watch the video!

The quiet heroism of America’s secret warriors

Were they heroes? Or were they fulfilling their job descriptions?

“We know the bare outline of the May raid: Some of the United States’ best sailors and soldiers entered Pakistan undetected, slipping through the darkness in secret stealth helicopters across 100 miles of potentially hostile territory. They continued the mission despite losing a helicopter and dispatched the target — elusive al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. Then they scooped up a wealth of intelligence materials and disappeared.

“Although there’s plenty the public may never know about the operation, the details that have leaked out have been breathtaking, providing a rare glimpse into the ultra-secretive world of the U.S. military’s most elite troops.” CONTINUE READING

American Heroes

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"life lessons", character training, heroes, Human nature, Military appreciation, military appreciation, spiritual, US Air Force, US Army, US Coast Guard, US Marines, US Navy

AN UNKNOWN HERO OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

On July 29, 1779, just above the Delaware River near Barryville, New York, American Minutemen Militia were badly beaten by a raiding party of British Tories and their allied Mohawk Native-Americans.

Although the Battle of Minisink was considered an American loss, there were still many American heroes. One hero, the second in command of the American Militia, was wounded early in the battle. A doctor by profession, instead of thinking of his own wound, he treated the wounded Americans for hours.

Four hours into the battle, the tide of battle turned against the American Militia. The doctor was told by the Militiamen Leader to leave the battleground to save his own life. He refused to leave the American wounded…

He died as he tried to save their lives.

This is the legacy of the American Hero. The dominant character trait is selflessness, to put the safety of others ahead of self. This is the heritage of the top honorees of our Military – The Medal of Honor winners.

Operation Enduring Freedom

“The War in Afghanistan, which began on October 7, 2001, was launched by the United States, the United Kingdom, and NATO allies in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. It was the beginning of the War on Terrorism. The stated purpose of the invasion was to capture Osama bin Laden, destroy al-Qaeda, and remove the Taliban regime which had provided support and safe harbor to al-Qaeda. Since 2001, five American service-members have received the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan, three of them posthumously.” (Wikipedia)

Army Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti received his medal for attempting to rescue a wounded soldier at the cost of his own life.

Navy Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy received his for actions against insurgent forces and for sacrificing his life to call for help when his team had been overwhelmed by a much larger enemy force.

Army Staff Sergeant Robert James Miller‘s surviving family was presented with his medal on October 6, 2010.

The fourth recipient, Salvatore Giunta received his for his actions in 2007 when he risked his life to save a wounded comrade. He is the first living recipient since the Vietnam War.

A second living recipient, Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry, received the medal from President Obama during a July 12, 2011, ceremony.

On November 10, 2010, the Marine Corps also nominated Dakota Meyer for the Medal of Honor for actions on September 8, 2009, in nearby Kunar province.

Operation Iraqi Freedom

“The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom (US), Operation TELIC (UK) or the occupation of Iraq, is an ongoing conflict which began on March 20, 2003 with the United States-led invasion of Iraq by a multinational coalition composed of U.S. and U.K. troops supported by smaller contingents from Australia, Poland, and other nations. Four service members have received the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq; two from the Army, one from the Marine Corps and one from the Navy.

Paul R. Smith was the first to receive it for his actions on April 4, 2003 when he held enemy forces back, allowing other wounded soldiers to be evacuated to safety.

The other three, Corporal Jason Dunham of the Marine Corps, Specialist Ross A. McGinnis of the Army and Master-at-Arms Second Class Michael A. Monsoor of the Navy received it after being killed while using their own bodies to smother grenades to protect their comrades.” (Wikipedia)

The Battle of Long Island

Thank you

to all our HEROES