GRIGGS: Thanksgiving, home or away

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November 21, 2007

By SYLVIA GRIGGS The News and Tribune Wed Nov 21, 2007, 08:11 PM EST

A military wife recently said “Home is where the army sends us. We’ll roll with whatever comes.” Home or away, Happy Thanksgiving to our troops.

The 1621 feast celebrated by the Pilgrims has become a landmark that we think of for our own Thanksgiving Day. George Washington and Abraham Lincoln have had their imprint on this American holiday as well. These two Presidents suffered much through times of trial and a war-torn country. Though the years have passed and the bounty of our country and people have progressed, we still must fight for what is right.

Greater love hath no man than this, that he would lay down his life for another.

Sgt. Brandon Wallace was killed in Fallujah, Iraq when a road-side bomb detonated near his Humvee. His parents were inspired to write “No Tears” to honor their hero, their son. Though their son did not have a chance to hear this song in this world, it was written as though from his heavenly view.

‘No Tears’

I was watching from a window in Heaven

You seemed so close yet so far

I could see teardrops falling that you shed for me

I saw you crying, calling out my name

I wanted to hold you, tell you I’m OK

No tears will fall in Heaven

Teardrops aren’t welcome up here

No tears will fall in Heaven

There’s no sorrow, there’s no pain

God wiped my tears away

I was walking down the streets of Heaven

I was singing with the angels round the crystal sea

I was dancing on streets of gold when your memory came to me

I wanted to tell you, though you couldn’t see

All the shackles are broken now and I am free

— Lyrics: Rick and Lisa Wallace

•••

I always knew I didn’t walk alone ...

Walking with us in freedom’s cause are the wonderful and brave men and women of our military.

They are marching out front, into harm’s way, and serve with devotion, dignity and with pride.

They earn and deserve our thanks and should hear from all of us from sea to shining sea. They are the backbone of our democracy and should be honored as such.

They make us proud to be called “Americans.”

On a personal note, my grandson served in the Navy during two tours of duty in the Persian Gulf; Iraqi Freedom on the U.S.S. Enterprise and a second deployment as a Medical Corpsman. He has since come home and told his mom when he arrived in Indianapolis, “I just wanna lay on the couch, watch movies and eat real food.” Beautiful words for a mother to hear as her son comes home.

The “Life and Times” Salute

This column published in the Evening News gives a brief profile of members of the Armed Services submitted by local family members. If you want to be impressed by the rigors of training they go through and their commitment just read some of these profiles. They have the courage to keep going on no matter what comes their way. Proud families honor their proud sons and daughters who have enlisted and completed training and who are serving their country. We can only pray and hope that the United States Congress will see fit to support these brave men and women as they begin their service.

You can go to www.amillionthanks.org to express your appreciation and to show our troops, past and present, that you thank them. Send a thank you text message or other messages throughout the year via letters, e-mails, cards and prayers. This Web site includes many ways to say thanks, links to other Web sites, NASCAR support, and other worthwhile information.

A prayer for all time

President Lincoln asked God to “heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and Union.” So be it.

To our brave troops

Hold on, be strong. We want you to know we believe in you and thank you. You are supporting the belief of freedom for all people of the world, freedoms we have taken for granted for so long. We pray you do not get tired of doing what is good, don’t get discouraged and give up. Your cause is just and the world will reap the blessings of freedom that you are fighting for. May God protect you with angels by your side. With greatest respect and thanks for all you are doing on our behalf.

If you have a family member, friend or know someone serving in our military service, please send them this column or contact them in your own way to say “thanks” for your service.

Sylvia Griggs retired as an editor in the sales and marketing field. She is now a freelance writer residing in Jeffersonville. Please write to her at sylviagriggs8@yahoo.com.

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