Recently I was in a room filled with approximately 100 heroes – veterans from WWII, as well as the Korean and Vietnam wars.
I sat with a 94-year-old US Army veteran and his family, for the second year, and found myself emotionally fraught, saddened because there are so few of the Greatest Generation who remain among us.
I had the honor of assisting a 103-year-old WWII nurse, a WAVE, who I had the pleasure of meeting in 2016 on an Honor Flight. She is sharp as a tack, as lovely as lovely can be, and a joy to all who know her.
And I had the pleasure of giving ‘dancing’ Ernie, another WWII US Navy hero who turned 100 in February, a great big kiss on his cheek. He hasn’t changed since we met, but sadly dancing is a thing of the past. But how could he cut a rug – and I had the pleasure of watching him bust many a move.
For these folks, nothing is more cherished than family, faith, and freedom – the freedom they fought for that many in our society are destroying day by day. The families they raised, many a child unplanned, but never aborted. And the power of prayer, a faith so deep nothing could rattle it, despite any hardships and adversity.
So tell me …
When did it become offensive to believe in the traditional family – a man and husband, a woman and wife, who possibly raise 2.5 children? Wake-up America.
When did prayer become uncomfortable? Why would we forbid someone from praying in public, yet find it acceptable to defend terrorists while inferring that faith motivated people are the narrow-minded and hateful ones? Wake-up America.
And freedom – why would any of us allow it to be taken away, the freedom our veterans fought for, and continue to fight for today? Wake-up America.
On that day, I stood for the National Anthem with a hand placed over my heart.
On that day, I bowed my head in prayer, and asked my God to protect and help everyone – no matter what religion, faith, or spirituality another subscribes to.
On that day, I reaffirmed my commitment to defending our freedom, celebrating our faith, and putting my family first above all else.
What seemed to be a slow, insidious destruction of our country has picked-up speed and accelerated so quickly that I fear we won’t stop it – and please note I said ‘won’t,’ not ‘can’t.’
I am proud to be an American and I am grateful to our veterans – our heroes. Those who served, those who serve today, and those who will in the future. I back the blue. I stand for the National Anthem. I kneel to pray. I am grateful to live in a country that allows us to debate, disagree, and express our freedom of speech.
But good Lord – it’s gone too far. Let us come together and be proud to proclaim family, faith, and freedom – let us be proud to be Americans.
“If not us – who? And if not now – when?” – J.F.K.
You can pray for a better today, a safer tomorrow, and hope to preserve the values our country was founded on – or you can act by getting involved, educating others, and leading by example.
That’s the only chance we have to wake-up America.