Remember Our Fallen Heroes
Since the Revolutionary War, otherwise known as America’s War of Independence, men and women in America have stood up for the freedoms we enjoy today. All of these freedoms were hard-earned by the lives that were sacrificed to provide us with our culture that enjoys the pursuit of happiness, life as we know it, and the liberties we all enjoy and sometimes take for granted.
The Greatest Generation of WWII Veterans were sent off to war to return to a country that was publicly grateful to be the victors and to return to a wonderful life. We publicly and unashamedly extended gratefulness to all who returned and to the families of those who did not. We appreciated how blessed we were, and we continued to enjoy the fruit of all their sacrifices for us.
No sooner did we readjust to “normal” life, than our brave men and women had to go back to war in Korea. We asked our heroes to turn around and fight the next war and to secure freedom for others around the world.
The subsequent Vietnam War was a dark time where we disrespected our heroes and failed to acknowledge the sacrifices they made – largely for the politicians of that era. They obeyed the call, gave their lives, suffered greatly, and never got a hero’s welcome. As a result, we continue to try to make up for that shameful neglect of appreciation and gratitude.
Since then, the Gulf Wars and skirmishes all over the globe have been largely fought by our men and women who prioritized the value of our lives over their own.
We will always be grateful and will recognize Memorial Day to give official recognition and thanks to them for their great sacrifices. We also thank and pray for the families of our fallen heroes who gave it all for us! Thank you! Thank you! We will not forget!
So, while we acknowledge what these fallen heroes have done for us, to sustain our beautiful lives in America, we must also ask what we can do where we are. Each of us has a part in sustaining our American way of life, in every way that it is good and godly! Each of us has a choice each day to choose how we can also fight evil, lies, injustice, and whatever is a threat to humanity and our liberated ways of living. We all can ask ourselves how we can serve each other, our communities, our needy, our families. We can ask how we can fortify our liberties that give us all the opportunity to provide for ourselves and to live and pursue truth and happiness. Let’s sustain what is good, and stop what is destructive. Let’s win our culture back – together – and not shrink back when it costs us something as well. We must sacrifice for the greater good and to sustain American liberties as well. Courage! Sacrifice! Service! These are virtues that will never die. These are attributes of a society that thrives and sustains itself through every generation. These are the characteristics of a great citizen, a great student, a great person. And, it’s what we should be teaching our children as they grow. Let’s learn from our veterans and give where we can also.
Never forget – Memorial Day 2022 – Thank you to our veterans who gave it all for us!
Gina Johnsen