With this past weekend being Memorial Day, I have been thinking about the men and women who defend my country. Within the swirling of my thoughts I have considered how vital a role they play. Past and present.
We as Americans fought for our independence. We declared that we, all of us human beings, were free with unalienable rights and then we did something about this fact.
There were times in our youth, where we fought one another, and we’ve fought others around the world. Because of this, there were times when we were right and when we could have taken a better, more heart centered path.
I look at my country and her history, and then I look at the outcome. Over two hundred years have passed, we are not young anymore. We have seen much as a people and we have done much.
One of the things that we’ve done, is forget our own people. In an age with atomic bombs and world wars in our past, we have become divided. The argument of more or less guns has fallen like a line down the middle of my country.
As a result, our own people suffer. Our defenders have suffered. We have taken our rage and annoyance at the state of our country, out on the people who defend it. People who pay a price for the time they dedicate to our borders and more importantly to our people.
We might not agree, we might not have all the answers, and we might not be where we want to as a country. But that will never give us the right to harm those who protect us.
For the soldiers of the past, the present, and the ones yet to enlist, they not only protect our land and us, but they buy us time.
Time to navigate our way. To decide where we stand as a nation, and where we stand within the world.
This time that they supply us, is vital for the future of our nation. Because while they keep us safe, we are able to take action and make decisions about the laws and customs that we will use to build our nation.
Time so that we can reach a peaceful place about guns, about violence, and our role past our borders. We can become united once more. Not to announce and claim our independence, but to help each other.
To take the ideals, hopes, and dreams found within our Constitution, the words of our people, and manifest them into reality. So that we all may be free, honoring the unalienable rights we all have, and become a land that supports one another.
As I have thought these last few days, I have considered the price our soldiers pay. The price their families pay.
While we work to not only survive but thrive during the Coronavirus, we are separated from those we love. In talking with friends and family, a common theme has emerged. Being separated from girlfriends, family, and friends we have gone without.
As pack animals, the hugs and kisses, not to mention the smiling faces, are essential parts to soothing and warming our souls. Yet, at this time we go without.
Just as all of our protectors have.
Let our experience today be a reminder and a lesson about the price paid. So that we may never again take our frustration out on the wrong party. We must do better for our protectors.
- Treat them well.
- Thank them.
- Put into place programs for their wounds and pains, earned for us.
- Treat them as family. Because they are.
We must do better, and thankfully I know we can.