Memorial Day-2008

Memorial Day commemorates all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in military service to preserve our freedoms.
Many of my relatives all served in the military, I figured it up once and these relatives served in every war since the First World War. Some declared, some undeclared.
How many years? I figured more than 150 years of service, including a close friend who was killed in Viet Nam.
So what does it mean?
The United States of America is the most wonderful country in the world, and while there are other countries that may boast just as special, I believe I'm right. There is ONLY ONE country in the world where immigrants can come and begin the legal process to become a citizen and become an American.
I can't go to France and become a Frenchman, or to England and become and Englishmen, but anyone who follows the rules can come to American and become an American. What a country.
The United States instills such pride that we send our religious volunteers, our Peace Corps, our troops and our foreign aid to promote, preserve and protect freedom loving citizens of the world. We do that using the most amazing technology in the world. Some are killed or die for their American ideals.
There are critics and liberals who don't understand America or the idea of America. The idea of America is what lives and inspires people around the world to want to strap themselves to anything that floats to try and get to U. S. shores so they can catch the dream of becoming an American.
If you are an American, God has blessed you with the most important gift: citizenship in the greatest country in the world.
If you were in trouble in a foreign country you will proudly exclaim you are an American citizen. And if you were stranded in a remote area, could you feel any better if over the ridge appeared a "Band of Brothers", American troops with the Stars and Stripes patches on their shoulders?
The greatest country in the world has created the greatest population of citizens who fight to preserve their freedom and encourages and promotes the freedoms of others around the world who crave this God-given gift.
We celebrate those who served and fought to preserve, protect and promote our freedoms today. God bless them all and let them rest in peace knowing we shall never forget them and their sacrifice.