Tag Archives: Ft. Hood

      

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to be in Washington DC in the new Pentagon chapel for a private dedication honoring those who horrifically died in the September 11th attacks at the Pentagon. Words cannot express the feelings of standing in that very spot where so many military personnel and innocent citizens were needlessly killed.  What a tragedy.  What an incredible loss!

During our time in DC, we visited many of the memorials which honored our fallen soldiers and those who served in wars.  I will never forget the seemingly unending list of those who died, carved into “The Wall” at the Vietnam War memorial.  The grief and cost of lives represented with those names was overwhelming. My heart broke for the families whose lives were forever changed. At another memorial, I read the words engraved in stone, “Freedom is Not Free.”  Memorial after memorial, these words became engraved on my heart. 

As we set aside time nationally to celebrate and remember our veterans tomorrow, these memories come rushing back and cause me to pause. 

Please join me in appreciation and prayer for our service men and women.

With deep gratitude, I want to thank those who put on the uniform, for your service and sacrifices. 

We honor you, our veterans, who have proven your heroism and love of country time and time again.  You have defended our nation and you are an inspiration today, to those of us who enjoy a life of freedom.

Millions of you have died in service to America and millions more have been wounded and now  live with disabilities.  Billions more have lost family members and friends in horrific acts of war.

We in the United States of America will always be grateful for the noble sacrifices made by you and we honor and respect you for your service.

We can never adequately repay you.

YOU, our veterans, are living examples of the timeless and eternal truth that “Freedom is NOT Free.” 

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you!

Please join me in praying for our service men and women and their families at Ft. Hood in Killeen and for our military serving us around the world.

::  This post is dedicated to my two dear uncles, Jim Bilderbeck and Walt Collins, who served in the military in times of war.  You are greatly admired and loved, and we thank you for your service.