Let Freedom Ring!

About a week ago my mom called and asked if I wanted to go to a service that honors Wounded Warriors. I remember seeing pictures of this from the past years and always wishing I had gone, so of course I jumped at the chance to go. However, that was last week and this week turned into one of those weeks where I had something EVERY night so by the time Thursday rolled around, I just wanted to be home...relaxing, eating, watching tv, etc and then it dawned on me...it's because of THOSE wounded soldiers and every other soldier past and present that I can be at home and relax, where I don't have to be afraid of walking outside and getting shot. I have the freedom because of THEM to watch tv, read, pray, and attend church without feeling scared or fearing that everytime I step outside someone might take that freedom away from me. Long story short, this was an emotional day! It started out by me deciding that I wanted to join some of my co-workers (and other people in our community) to line the Hathaway Bridge with American flags as these wounded warriors were escorted past us. I thought this was going to be something for us to show our appreciation to them (and we did) but to see them taking pictures of us lining the bridge and us thanking them was a sight. Here's a pic and although it's hard to see because I couldn't zoom in, the bridge was LINED with flags!

As they drove by everyone just began to cry and yell out thank you! The spouses were crying, the soldiers were crying...it was EMOTIONAL! After that I ran to meet my mom for a quick bite to eat and then we headed to Living Word Fellowship for a service devoted to them! It started with my childhood church choir director leading her choir (from Southport Elem) in patriotic songs that she wrote. Let me just say that patriotic songs get me every time...but when children sing them, it makes it that much worse (or better)! A middle school choir also sang and then a local high school band played the different branch songs and the different branches stood up as their song was played.

Some were crying, some were singing their branch song at the top of their longs and some just stood in awe. Afterwards they had two of the wounded soldiers and their spouses speak about how they were injured, what they went through, etc but what got me is that every one of them that spoke was so humble and stated multiple times how they would love to go back. How can these men and women that have been wounded want to go back?...talk about sacrifice, talk about love for your country, and talk about devotion! These men and women will forever inspire me and I can't wait for this service again in 6 months. We don't honor our heroes near enough and to them, I will forever be thankful...for my freedom, for their sacrifice, and for their dedication and love to our country.