::Fan Share:: Every remembrance day I wake up appreciating the safety and security that any other day I take for granted. The rights and freedoms that were fought for and many sacrificed for. I am so grateful for the opportunity to raise my child in a place where so many will forfeit so much for so many, without a thought for themselves. So often we forget that the lives that we live are at the expense of others who will stand on foreign ground and even in our own country and take a stand against crime, and injustice, persecution and corruption, greed and outright stupidity. They are willing and prepared to lay down their lives for us, yet we are strangers. How many of us take this for granted? How often do we stop and think about our service people? Our soldiers, policemen and women, paramedics and fire departments. All of these people are willing to step into the “fire” to protect us and often sacrifice themselves for total strangers. People who these days, are so often lacking in even the basic manners to offer a humble thank you, even though the words will never be enough. How often do we stop and think about the families of these service people who sit at home, hoping and praying that this will be the night that they hear from their loved ones overseas? Husbands and wives serving here at home will phone their spouses and children just to let them know they’re ok, that they’re safe? These same people who watch every news broadcast in fear and trepidation, hoping for a glimpse of their family member. Something to reassure them that they’re ok. These people also serve and are seldom recognized. Think for a minute about our soldiers. They don’t even have a guarantee of their next meal, let alone a bed to sleep in. Their nights are filled with fears, their days of suspicion and apprehension. These are the things they live with. It is a heavy load. Yet they all do it willingly, but for what? We are selfish people. All of us. We have so much luxury by comparison. Yet we always want more. More money, more status, more power, more recognition. We seem to think that we’re entitled to it. Yet our soldiers and their families sacrifice everything so we can have our more and it often leaves them with nothing. We should be ashamed of ourselves. Decades ago, we allowed our soldiers to go and fight battles that are quickly being forgotten except in school curriculum. Shame on us for that to. Every day should be a reminder of all that was sacrificed and we should be striving to ensure that future generations don’t have to make the same sacrifice. So many of our soldiers are now only remembered as a name on a cenotaph. Shame on us. How many of us actually take time be thankful that these brave men and women, who gave their lives for us? How many of us actually take time, to be grateful for our freedom? I am ashamed to say that until recently, I didn’t either. It is time for all of us to start holding these people in our hearts. Not only our service people but also their families. So many have served faithful at home and overseas to provide so much security that we take for granted but never are actually willing to be thankful for. I have so much respect for men and women who serve. Their jobs are not jobs, they are a commitment to us all. For this commitment we should all be grateful. I couldn’t do it. I have so much and I’ve never had to earn it. Today, I would like to thank the servicemen and women and their families everywhere. Today is NOT remembrance day. I thank you for sacrifice, be it time with your loved ones, or the lives of your loved ones. For all of you who have given so much, you have my gratitude, respect, and admiration. From one stranger who is grateful for all you’ve done and all you’ve given. Thank you.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 00:59:44 +0000