July is not just the golden month of summer for most
families. Golden in that it is the one month, nationwide, when most schools are
guaranteed not to be in session…
whatsoever. But, July is also “firecracker” month, the month we gather, cook
out, and blow things up to the squealing delight of young and old, alike. The
month we celebrate our nation’s freedom.
Although I did serve four years in the US Air Force in the
early to mid 1980’s, by the time I met my wife and we started our family, I was
in a completely different line of work.
However, early on my wife and I agreed that it was important for our
boys, growing up in a country in which it would be so easy to casually enjoy so
many freedoms, to somehow learn to understand and truly appreciate sacrifice.
In particular, the sacrifices made by countless men, women, and family
associated with our Armed Forces.
Regardless of what side of the political aisle people are
from, most Americans seem to be on the same side when it comes to supporting
our service men and women. Sadly, this has not always been the case, as a few
of us are just old enough to remember the tragic treatment of soldiers coming
home from Vietnam. But, in the past 20 years, remembering what it is to honor
those who give so much – sometimes even giving all – appears to be trending.
From the time our sons could talk, we taught them to
recognize service members, identify the various branches, and to always express
their gratitude for the sacrifice of any patriot they might happen across. One
of our sons was painfully shy and struggled even speaking to most of our
extended family and close friends. But just like his brothers, he lit up when
he saw a soldier, and would boldly express his thanks. Maybe he somehow knew,
even at an early age, stepping out of a social comfort zone was nothing in
comparison to a young man or woman willing to step into a combat zone.
As the boys hit their tweens, we began watching various war
films and documentary series. These things always served as springboards to
lengthy discussions regarding the things that lead to such conflicts, as well
as the many brave current and historical figures that fight and have fought in
them. In time, real-life heroes such as Captain Dick Winters from Easy Company replaced
superheroes such as Batman from Gotham City. Oh, they were still very typical
21st Century kids who argued with each other over whose turn it was
to empty the garbage, but they were daily growing in their appreciation of
those willing to be so unselfishly, incredibly uncomfortable for the rest of us
to live in comfort.
Today, a small flag with two, blue stars hangs in a front
window of our home. In the 1940’s, pretty much any American would have
understood what that flag represented. But in 2017, a little past the 4th
of July holiday, many mistake it for festive décor that we merely forgot to
take down. Regardless, the flag stays up. And we pray each day that the stars
stay blue. Because those blue stars represent two-thirds of our offspring,
now-grown men, who appreciated the sacrifices made for their freedoms to the
point that they felt they could do nothing but be willing to make the same
sacrifices. We didn’t push them to become Army officers, just as we didn’t push
our oldest son to go into the same occupation that I currently am in. We didn’t
paint pictures of war being glorious, we shutter at the thought of them being
harmed or killed, and dislike not seeing any of them as much as we would like.
But, we are thankful that they understand the cost of
freedom. And we are proud that they are willing to pay the price.
We celebrate the 4th of July once a year, but may
we daily appreciate our freedom.
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