RSSRemember our Troops on Thanksgiving
Move America Forward | November 26, 2010
Written by Debbie Lee,
Gold-Star Mother of U.S. Navy SEAL Marc Alan Lee KIA Iraq, 2006
T’was the day before Thanksgiving and all through the house every creature is stirring as they thaw the turkey, cook the cranberries, make the dressing, bake the pies, clean the house, prepare for family and friends or head to the airport.
Oh yeah the airport, that seems to be dominating the news coverage the last week as new scanners and the alternative pat downs have raised more terror for Americans than the terrorists do. The thoughts of millions watching our full body scans revealing every inch of our exposed bodies on Youtube or if we decline the scanner then we are caressed by the TSAs and forget the notion that we teach our children to not let anyone touch us where our swimsuits would cover, if you or I touched someone that way we would be arrested. Nothing says Happy Thanksgiving like added stress at the airports on one of the busiest travel days of the year.
Thanksgiving is that time of the year when people travel from near and far to spend time with their families and loved ones. The holidays are always difficult for me since my son was killed in Iraq and I have to constantly remind myself to focus on the blessings that I do have not what is missing. It’s difficult as we try and do the head count and set the table knowing that there will always be that empty chair.
There are many military families that are struggling with that empty chair this Thanksgiving. Many are awaiting the return of their hero who is serving in a combat zone today fighting the very terrorists who tried to steal our peace from us and who have caused the craziness that we are seeing in airport security today. I am so thankful for our brave warriors who volunteered to put on the uniform of the armed forces and choose to defend and protect me. Our troops serving are willing to give up everything if need be to guarantee our freedoms.
I’m thankful for my son Kristofer who served in the Marines, my son-in-law Christopher who served in the Army, my son Marc, a Navy SEAL who made the ultimate sacrifice 8-2-06 and my brother Jim who is in the Air Force and in Afghanistan today and several cousins who are also serving.
I’m thankful that God has given me the strength to put on my own “combat boots” and to use my life and my voice to continue to honor, support, and defend our brave warriors and their families. We must never forget the sacrifices that our troops have made through the ages and continue to make today. In Marc’s last letter home, he challenged us to do more random acts of kindness that by doing so we could change our world.
I accepted his challenge to do that and am directing those acts of kindness to our men and women in the military, their families and especially the families of the fallen. We have men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan and throughout the world who are separated from their loved ones this Thanksgiving. Will you respond to Marc’s last letter home and help me let our troops overseas know they are not forgotten this holiday season by sponsoring a care package? Will you show your Thankfulness to them by adding a personalized note that will accompany that care package?
Will you also join with me in praying for those families who have a loved one who gave their life in service to this country. There is no better way to show your thanks an appreciation than by sending a care package through Move America Forward.
I am so thankful for the family God has blessed me with by birth, and those that have been gifted to me since Marc’s death in his teammates and their families. I have also been blessed by the many patriots and friends who continue to shower their love, encouragement and support on me as I travel this nation.
I am a blessed woman! Just as that first Thanksgiving the pilgrims gathered to thank God for all he had done in bringing them to this new country and providing and protecting them I join with them to give thanks and count my blessings!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Debbie Lee
Contributor's website: http://moveamericaforward.org
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