Armed Forces Day: America Supports You
May 19, 2007 by Lillie
Today is Armed Forces Day, a day to show support for our military members and to thank them for their service to our country.
My good friend, Fr. Jerry Sherbourne, is a military chaplain. His blog helps us understand the sacrifices our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines - and their families - make to defend our country.
I am editing a book written by a woman and her chaplain husband. They had both been widowed, and the woman had no previous experience with military life. As a grandmother, she was deeply touched by the sacrifices military families make to support their husband, wife, father, or mother.
The following sites and videos remind us of the sacrifices of those who serve and those who wait at home missing and worrying for the safety of their loved one:
Armed Forces Tribute
Military Prayer Point
Remember Me
Until We Meet Again!
When Are You Coming Home?
Updated to add this video of my client Ted Janicki:
Capt Janicki - Rebuilding Afghanistan With Class
Linda Cano, a friend who works a part-time job to earn money for postage to write letters to nearly 150 soldiers twice a month, says this:
This is why I write to our troops. This is why I do without to make sure they get mail. This is why I cry myself to sleep every time one dies or is wounded. They do what we don’t have the strength and courage to do. They are our heroes. They fight so we don’t have to. Honor them. Respect them. Support them. Most of all, thank them when they come home…shake their hands. Visit your VA home and hug a veteran. They need to know we remember the sacrifices they made for our safety and security. Don’t pity our wounded…they don’t want your pity. They want your gratitude and respect…they have earned it. God bless our troops.
Though we especially show our appreciation for our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines on Armed Forces Day, they need our support all the time.
If you’d like to support the troops, a number of excellent organizations can use your help. Here are some of my favorites:
Adopt-a-Chaplain
AnySoldier.Com
Soldiers Angels
And if you do nothing else, if you believe in the power of prayer, you can pray regularly.
O LORD God of Hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines of our country. Support them in the day of battle, and in the time of peace keep them safe from all evil; endue them with courage and loyalty; and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Related Posts:
Let’s Say Thanks!
If you want your writing to make a difference in people’s lives…
Another Great Organization for Our Troops
Reservist still teaches college classes online while serving in Afghanistan
[tags]Armed Forces Day, support our troops, Adopt-a-Chaplain, AnySoldier.com, Soldiers Angels[/tags]
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Oh, I did not realize that was today! Thanks for the reminder and WHAT a great compilation of things for us to go and view today. That took some work on your part. I am also touched by patriotic posts and thank God for those who serve so that I can sit here in my comfortable bed every morning.
Hummie,
You’re right - we are so blessed to sit in our comfortable beds knowing brave men and women are putting their lives on the line to protect us and keep us free. And their families are missing and worrying in their own homes.
Lillie, I didn’t know that was today, either! Our soldiers are the ones that make sure we can be free to do things like post to blogs and speak our mind. This is a truly great country in many ways, and now that I know what today is I’ll take some time tonight to stop and say ‘thank you’ to those that protect us from harm every day.
Michi,
I’m glad to remind people to appreciate the freedoms we have because of our military.
Beautiful videos, Lillie. God bless you and God bless our troops and their loved ones.
Linda,
God bless you and all you do for the troops! I admire and appreciate what you do so much.
I pray for our service men and women in their efforts to keep us safe here at home:
Dear God, may the journey of our service men and women be smooth and have all green lights. Unto God’s gracious mercy and loving protection we have commited you. May God bless you and keep you. May God make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace, now and forever more and may God give His hand to see that you come home safely. Amen
Amen!
Hmm… does it occur to you that somehow, our brave soldiers are just being used by our government to further promote a culture of violence around the world? Just my two cents.
Alcohol Rehabilitation,
The soldiers I know are highly intelligent and sincere people who believe in what they are doing. They detest violence and are not easily manipulated, by the government or anyone else. However, they recognize that evil exists and if no one stands up to it, evil will prevail. Members of the military I know love peace, but not at the expense of freedom.
Thanks, Lillie, for your unfailing love and support - not only since I became a Chaplain but since we first met at All Saints!
Whenever anyone thanks me for my service to our country, I always thank them for theirs, as well. That could be for their own time in the military; or it could be for being a firefighter, police officer, school teacher, accountant, retailer, housewife - whatever form of service being a God fearing citizen may have led them to be.
So thank you again - to you and your readers - and to all who love and support this great country and the Servicemembers called to fight for and defend her.
Fr. Jerry,
It’s great to hear from you. Thanks for your comment, for your service, and for your recognition of the contributions of everyone who serves, no matter in what capacity.
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