This Memorial Day I would like to place in our thoughts and prayers, and honor all our brave service members who are currently in harm’s way, all those who have served and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to allow us to enjoy the freedoms we enjoy every minute of every day!
“It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.” ~ Norman Schwarzkopf
“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” ~ Joseph Campbell
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price,
bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty”. ~ John F. Kennedy
Today though, I want to highlight my hero this Memorial Day. A serviceman who fought in World War II and became a part of that fraternal organization called the U.S. Army and did as soldiers do – they make sure they have each other’s back.
“The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.” ~ Thucydides
My special soldier is my Dad. Being a trainer and a life coach who works with and helps military families; my drive and desire to give my all each and every day to the families I work with is directly related to my experiences with my Dad. Seeing and knowing about what he endured as a paratrooper in the Pacific Field during WW II and with each of the three opportunities he had to return home, he instead chose to go back to his unit, his new family and to continue to fight alongside them.
“Better than honor and glory, and History’s iron pen,
Was the thought of duty done and the love of his fellow-men.” ~ Richard Watson Gilder
His sweetheart was supportive to him while he was away and gave him something extra to look forward to when he got home. This wonderful lady has continued in that role for the over 60 years now since marrying my Dad. I’ve seen firsthand what can happen when you have a great relationship!
“Heroism is latent in every human soul – However humble or unknown, they (the veterans) have renounced what are accounted pleasures and cheerfully undertaken all the self-denials – privations, toils, dangers, sufferings, sicknesses, mutilations, life-long hurts and losses, death itself – for some great good, dimly seen but dearly held.” ~ Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
With what our family members bring back with them from war – the horrible experiences, losses and post traumatic stress disorder, along with the additional challenges of transitioning into a setting back home that has changed. To this day, my Dad cannot watch shows like the HBO mini-series “The Pacific”, even though it has been over 64 years since he came home. He talks very little about his experiences during the war and those are usually good memories of things he and his buddies did.
“The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.” ~ Benjamin Disraeli
Yet, he and my Mom taught me, my siblings and my son so much about life and family. They molded me as a parent – educating me by example of what a parent is to him/herself and to their children. They never quit on us as parents and never, ever have they lost faith in us or in us pursuing our passions. They tell each of us each time they speak with us and in those surprise letters (as you probably guessed they are not computer people and if they got a computer then they would have to learn email!).
“The greatest glory of a free-born people is to transmit that freedom to their children.” ~ William Havard
My Dad made sure that he made it home from the war and at the same time, always did what he needed to do to help make sure his buddies did too! As parents, both he and my mom always had our backs. I’m not talking about the type of parent who goes in to yell at the school every time little Tommy got in trouble and took no responsibility for Tommy. My parents held us accountable for our actions and they were always there when they felt we were wronged and were unable to remedy the situation ourselves. The next day they would be up at the school having our back – and even today in their 80’s they still do whatever they can to have our backs. Kinda nice knowing your parents are there for you.
Even today my Mom jokes about when I make it big I will have to treat her to the type of life she and my Dad expect – which I will do of course. Yet after joking around she will always say your Dad and I believe in you and know that you will be making a difference for many families throughout the military. They know in their hearts and have the confidence in me that I can help change lives and assist the families in becoming closer.
I know of the many challenges my parents had to go through beginning with getting through a World War, through raising four children and through several major illnesses and remain loving, supportive and caring toward each other and each of us as a family. They have fought through all their challenges never losing their sense of purpose, sense of humor and their desire to help!
Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die, and to leave their children free,
Bid time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
As our service members deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan, return from deployments or during a deployment – ask these families what you can do to help support them through these most challenging of times. Next time you see someone in uniform, I would ask you to think about what they may going through, get out of your comfort zone and go over and shake their hand thanking them for what they do for us and what they and their family sacrifice to do it! I know – this is where someone says that they don’t believe we should be in Iraq or Afghanistan. My answer to that is if that is your belief than go contact your representatives and complain to them as often as you want! They are the ones who make those decisions. However, do not take this out on our soldiers – they do not get the luxury of deciding where they go and who they fight. What they do get to do is risk their lives daily because that is their job! They are in the military to defend our nation and to defend our rights and freedoms.
“They fell, but o’er their glorious grave
Floats free the banner of the cause they died to save.” ~ Francis Marion Crawford
Thank you for taking action and doing something this Memorial Day that makes a difference for a service member and his/her family!
“The patriot’s blood is the seed of Freedom’s tree.” ~ Thomas Campbell
May G-d look over and protect our military and their families and help to guide them in making good decisions and in coming home safely!
I would like to also share that the Army Reserve unit I have been working with that has been deployed for last 15 months is returning home this Memorial Day! I am excited for this group that has become part of my family and celebrating Memorial Day by coming home to theirs.
And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free,
and I won’t forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me
and I’ll proudly stand next to him
to defend her still today,
‘cuz there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
god bless the USA. ~ Lee Greenwood
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!
With Love, Peace and Power,
Ron Dilbert
Operation Renewal, Inc. – “Helping Military Families Stay Connected”
www.OperationRenewal.org
Click to follow me on: Twitter Facebook Linkedin
rdilbert@OperationRenewal.org
479-935-3986
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity” – Albert Einstein
Tags: America, Children, Family, Holiday, Kids, Memorial Day, Military, Mourning, Remember, Sacrifice, Service Member, Spouse, Stress, Veteran, War
