GIVE THANKS TO GOD AND A SOLDIER: PAM MEISTER
Exclusive: Give Thanks to God – And a Soldier
Pam Meister
Many of the pieces we have up on FSM today are poignant reminders that we give thanks on this day not to the government (my tongue-in-cheek take on that topic appears here) for our many blessings, but to God. We also give thanks for our Founders, who believed that our many rights and freedoms are granted to us by our Creator.
But as we give thanks today for our many blessings, let us not forget one of the greatest blessings we have as a nation: the (un)common soldier.
From the Minutemen and enlistees in the Continental Army in 1776 to those who are currently fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan today, our brave men and women in uniform give up their personal comfort, safety and, all too often, their lives so that America can remain the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Yet all too often, we either forget or even outright dismiss the sacrifices of those in all branches of the military. Some even go so far as to demean their service or demand photo ops in the name of political gain. Remember: soldiers do not choose the missions, but they are sworn to carry them out to the very best of their abilities. And they do not have the luxury of playing armchair quarterback in the heat of battle.
Today’s military has also become politicized from within – civilian personnel and senior ranking officers seem to be more worried about political correctness within the ranks, which likely contributed to Maj. Hasan’s (alleged) act of jihad at Fort Hood, then what is best for the safety and effectiveness of those who are a part of the military machine. Who is shortchanged? Junior officers and enlisted personnel – and, ultimately, the American people.
Thousands of soldiers, sailors and airmen will spend this unique American holiday far away from home, dining on MREs and facing danger in harsh climes in service to their nation. Before you dig in to your turkey and pumpkin pie, and before you set the alarm for the annual shop-a-palooza known as Black Friday, please take a moment to ask for God’s blessings for the military members who serve tirelessly for the common defense.
They do so much for us. It’s the very least you can do for them.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Pam Meister is the editor of FamilySecurityMatters.org.
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