Legacy of Service

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Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. — Deuteronomy 31:6

But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. —  Isaiah 32:8

Our son entered active duty military service in June of 1999.

Wait a minute—that’s not entirely true.  Our son entered military service the day he was born!  As a military brat he served throughout his childhood with moves, ceremonies, separations, travels, promotions and uncertainties.  As a child I believe that most of the reality of sacrifice he experienced was surrounded by the aura of “adventure.”

Now he is the one who is helping his children enjoy and accept the adventures of military service—knowing full well there is sacrifice involved.

At some point in his life he took “ownership” of this ideal of noble service to one’s country.  At some point he knew in his heart that there is a cost to freedom, and it is a cost which some are called to pay with their lives. At some point he understood that American citizenship is an honor and privilege, and worth fighting for to insure that gift for future generations.

“At some point.” My husband and I know when that “point” occurred—when our (then) 11 year old son went to Normandy with his Grandfather and Dad to visit where “Pappa” jumped into France on D-Day, 1944. Our young boy walked along the beaches, through the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, amongst the old German defensive bunkers, and up and down country roads trying to find “the bridge” which was Pappa’s objective where he was to join up with his unit—on two sprained ankles. Ten days later, Pappa was wounded near Carentan—so these three visitors to the past included a search for that intersection.

After recovering from his wounds, Pappa went on to finish his enlistment in the Army during World War II in the sweep across Germany. And if you visit his house today you will find his Purple Heart and other medals framed and mounted on his office wall.  Next to them is the original copy of Eisenhower’s commission—handed to him and to other brave young men who risked their lives for the freedom of Europe—and all of us—on D-Day.

Now Pappa is one of the few soldiers left who fought above the beaches of Normandy. Several years ago, as he was being wheeled down to surgery at the local VA hospital, we were surprised but pleased to see the medical staff stop, snap to attention and salute him as they rolled him down the corridor.  That was impressive.

Our son continues the legacy of military service which is so evident in our family. Perhaps your family is the same—you are passing on something that you saw, lived and valued enough to invest in for your future generations. Or perhaps your family is first to serve your country in military duty.

What we can say for sure is that others are watching. Perhaps your children, like our son, are seeing the fruit of honorable service and sacrifice. “The eyes of the world are upon you.”

We are proud of you.  On this Veterans’ Day, we say “thank you for your service to our dear country, and to our Lord.”

Questions to Share:

1. What prompted you to join the ranks of those in military service?  Was it a decision that you made together as a couple?

2. How would you like to remember these days of active duty service twenty (or more) years from now?  Share with each other your thoughts.