Have You Hugged a Soldier Today?

This 4th of July I hope you have hugged your local Soldier, Airman, Sailor or Marine. I did. I couldn't help but get teary eyed at our local 4th of July celebration. I wanted to say thank you, but I couldn't get the words out. So I hugged him. I know in today's culture, men don't go around hugging other men. Let's not go there, shall we. Anyway, I finally told the soldier, "thank you for fighting for freedom and for sacrificing so much. God bless you." And he was very appreciative. I was more. To leave your family behind, and go to a foreign land where there are nuts willing to strap bombs to themselves and blow up innocent civilians and military alike without even blinking an eyelid. I find that simply amazing. That is a debt that we as Americans can never repay back to these men and women. Sure there are a few bad apples, but the military as a whole is built on honor and pride and a sense of completing the mission.

We as Americans need to remember that. We need to support our troops, so they can complete the mission. Set the Iraqi people on the right path to a real Democracy and real freedom will flourish. The over 2500 military personal deserve nothing less. We need to remember our roots as Americans. Freedom took time. Freedom involved sacrifice. Should we turn a blind eye to tyranny and oppression? What if George Washington said "Sorry folks there is just too much bloodshed, freedom isn't worth all this killings."? We would still be under British rule today.

If you see a soldier, airman, sailor or Marine today, but him or her a cup of coffee and say thanks. Let them know how much we appreciate their sacrifice. If you see a protestor, let them know that you love them and maybe say it's good to live in America and not in Iran or South Korea. But that's another blog...

I love this photo. American Marines are training Iraqi soldiers how to fire weapons. Don't you just love the target? Osama Bin Hidin' - Later