Happy 4th of July!!!

I'd like to say, "Thank you!" to all the brave men and women who have sacrificed much so that we can enjoy the freedoms we so often take for granted in America. 

Thank you, military men and women, past and present.  You give all you have to give to protect this amazing country.

Thank you, military families.  Most of us can't even comprehend the sacrifices you make when you send your husbands and wifes, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, and grandchildren off to face danger in the name of freedom. 

Thank you to the generation of veterans who are almost gone.  Like Great-great Uncle Woodrow, who lost his leg and eye when he stormed the beach at Normandy.

Thank you, Uncle Bud.  You and your comrades served multiple tours in Vietnam, and many came home to face much disrespect for your sacrifice and effort.

Thank you, Papa Jim, for serving in peace time.  We know that even though some of our military men and women never see combat, they serve the important purpose of standing by at the ready and give the rest of us a great sense of security.

Thank you to the boys I went to school with, who got angry on September 11th and went and enlisted, who served and are still serving.

We so often forget that freedom isn't free.

It's easy to forget all the blood and tears that have been shed.

It's easy to forget the pain and the toil. 

That so many have served so that we can choose our leaders instead of being ruled by tyrant kings.

That we can speak freely without fear of persecution.

That we can worship freely without fear of punishment or even death.

And finally, and most importantly, Thank you, God for blessing America richly.  Thank you for the freedoms we enjoy.  Thank you for your grace at our many failings. 

God bless America!