Thursday, May 15, 2008

Armed Forces Day 2008




As May 17th - Armed Forces Day - approached, I began thinking of those who fought in World War II. In particular, for some reason I began thinking of those who fought who still had not achieved and been granted the fullest rights at home: blacks, Native Americans, Japanese Americans, and others.

Even though many experienced various discriminations that continued even during their military service, they nevertheless contributed valiantly in their service as American military personnel. And, when allowed to engage in combat, they fought tenaciously.

I marvel at all of our brave American heroes who stood up to totalitarianism around the globe, but I especially marvel at those “minorities” who, in spite of the discriminations they experienced, still put their lives on the line for their country. What would motivate someone to make this decision? I offer only my personal guess.

They believed in America. In spite of injustices that probably most of them experienced, they understood the difference between liberty and totalitarianism. They stood for liberty. Even though there were still domestic issues to resolve, they put many of those on the back burner until the threat to America and the rest of the world was totally annihilated.

Americans today could stand to learn and apply valuable lessons from them.

May God bless all of our Armed Forces personnel preserving our freedom today.




(photo: Tuskegee airmen)

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