“Coward!”, “Chicken…bak, bak, bak”. Those are fighting words for any boy from the 3rd grade on up. As boys get older to be young men all it takes is a disrespectful word, glance or gesture that can send our blood pressure to the moon and we are ready to jump on the back of Goliath. There are times when this quick overreaction can get us into a lot of trouble (e.g. see the sports page for the latest brawl, fight, or altercation with our professional athletes). However, there are times when this tackle Goliath, “you talkin’ to me”, attitude rises up for a noble cause…the defense of liberty, democracy, family and our nation.
This is Memorial Day weekend that includes a time of reflection, respect and honor given to those courageous men and women who have given their lives for the freedom, the prosperity, the democracy we enjoy today. From the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, knowing full well that they might be signing their own death certificate, to the sacrifice of lives in WWW I and II, in Korea, Vietnam, and presently in Afghanistan and Iraq. Hundreds of thousands of men and women have risen to the call of our nation to “go”, “defend” and “fight” for us, and they paid the ultimate price with their lives. Thank you.
I treasure the religious freedom we have in our nation. To worship without government opposition, regulation, and persecution is a privilege that a great number of Christians world wide do not have. There are brothers and sisters in Christ who face persecution, beatings, imprisonment, and even death for gathering, teaching and living in Christ’s name. I am thankful for our nation’s forefathers to establish this right for me and my family.
As we have always known the freedoms, rights and prosperity within our nation, we can easily take for granted the life we enjoy. This Memorial Day let’s pause, reflect, and honor the men and women from all walks of life, of all faiths who fought in unity under the freedoms we cherish as the United States of America and remember that Freedom isn’t Free.
This Memorial Day I remember Lt. Col. Fred Koetitz, and his distinguished service as an Air Force pilot, and I am thankful for the past and current military service of Grandpap (Bob Lofstrom, Navy & Army Air Corp), Dad (Jerry Koetitz, Air Force), Clyde Fuller (Father-in-Law, Navy), Drew Foster (Brother-in-Law, Navy Submariner), and my little brother, 2nd Lt. Jon-Mark (C-130 Pilot, Air Force Natl. Guard). Thank you and no one can ever call you "Coward" or "Chicken" for you have shown your courage in action by your service.
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