This week's entry is simply to thank those who have given the
'Full Measure of Sacrifice' for each of us who lives in the United
States. My father lost a brother, Edward, in the Pacific Campaign
in World War II as well as his twin brother, Otto in the Korean
Conflict. Many of my classmates have lost friends or family in the
current conflict. Regardless of opinion on decisions made by
leadership in this country, each generation has stepped forward and
answered the call to defend our Great Nation. The rank and file
Citizen Soldiers of the United States has secured the freedom to
determine our destiny regardless of any classifying factor, as well
as the freedom to disagree in a civil manner and exercise the
tremendous power of the voting process to maintain a just and
balanced leadership.
The posting this week is best summed up by a note shared by
Sharilyn, a classmate who is a veteran and worked in a military
hospital:
"I was working the MICU (Medical Intensive Care Unit) one night
at an Air Force hospital with a patient who was having an MI. He
was there alone. When I asked him if there was any family we could
call for him, he said no, that his family had left him long ago. He
was no longer the person they knew before he went to war. It became
real at that moment for me. There are many casualties of war, each
just as devastating. I can't help but think about military families
and soldiers whose lives have been forever changed, especially
those close to me. There are never sufficient words of comfort, but
know on this end, today and every day, I offer you a grateful
heart."
I am eternally grateful to those who have sacrificed their lives
in the defense of our United States of America. My heart goes out
to their loved ones, full of empathy and thanks for their sacrifice
as well. May our current generation of veterans be the last who
need to leave our shores and may they never be called to defend our
home on our soil. Blessings to them all.