D-Day

Could you jump off a boat or from a plane into heavy enemy gunfire? Could you volunteer for that? Could you handle the emotions rushing through you as you get nearer and nearer to the battle — knowing that you could die any second?

Remember the men that gave their lives so that we could be free. Remember the men who saw and experienced things that no human should have to experience. Remember D-Day today.

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Memorial Day

Dear Soldiers and Veterans,

I am proud to be an American because of what America stands for. And America stands for that freedom because of you. Thank you to those who are fighting, have fought, and have given their lives to defend our country and to keep her safe. We appreciate you, and you are not forgotten.

July 4, 1942

Happy 4th of July everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful and meaningful holiday. My mom and I hosted a farewell party for a young man at our church — he's leaving July 6th for basic training. I don't think there could have been a better day to honor his entering the army. It really reinforced the meaning of this holiday, and reminded me yet again of all the brave men and women who fight to keep our nation free.

While trying to come up with a post for today, I came across President Roosevelt's Address for July 4, 1942. I found it very powerful, and it still hits close to home. We aren't fighting WWII, but we still face so many threats to our freedoms. And we still have soldiers who are sacrificing their lives for "the assurance of the right to liberty under God--for all peoples and races and groups and nations, everywhere in the world."

July 4, 1942

President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Address

For 166 years this Fourth Day of July has been a symbol to the people of our country of the democratic freedom which our citizens claim as their precious birthright. On this grim anniversary its meaning has spread over the entire globe--focusing the attention of the world upon the modern freedoms for which all the United Nations are now engaged in deadly war.

On the desert sands of Africa, along the thousands of miles of battle lines in Russia, in New Zealand and Australia, and the islands of the Pacific, in war-torn China and all over the seven seas, free men are fighting desperately--and dying--to preserve the liberties and the decencies of modern civilization. And in the overrun and occupied nations of the world, this day is filled with added significance, coming at a time when freedom and religion have been attacked and trampled upon by tyrannies unequaled in human history.

Never since it first was created in Philadelphia, has this anniversary come in times so dangerous to everything for which it stands. We celebrate it this year, not in the fireworks of make-believe but in the death-dealing reality of tanks and planes and guns and ships. We celebrate it also by running without interruption the assembly lines which turn out these weapons to be shipped to all the embattled points of the globe. Not to waste one hour, not to stop one shot, not to hold back one blow--that is the way to mark our great national holiday in this year of 1942.

To the weary, hungry, unequipped Army of the American Revolution, the Fourth of July was a tonic of hope and inspiration. So is it now. The tough, grim men who fight for freedom in this dark hour take heart in its message--the assurance of the right to liberty under God--for all peoples and races and groups and nations, everywhere in the world.

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Big Weekend!

Tomorrow is our Memorial Day Picnic at church. There is much to do, but I am looking forward to it all. I'm going to be baking patriotic cupcakes and brownies to bring, getting my camera ready (I'm the "official" photographer. lol.), and preparing for my own Memorial Day celebration on Monday.

Our church picnic is always fun, but it doesn't really center around what Memorial Day is about. So this year, I'm planning to make Monday as patriotic as I can! My Mom was telling me how special patriotic holidays were when she was growing up — family get togethers, parades on Main Street, stores were closed. What has happened?! Now, Memorial Day is just a day off to go shopping at all the "MEMORIAL DAY SALE EVENTS". This year, I'm making a BIG deal over Memorial Day! We need to stop and remember all the men and women who sacrificed to keep America free. We need to thank God for our freedoms and for our country.

If I didn't have to work on Monday, I would be going to a Memorial Day service. Maybe next year. I am going to be making patriotic fans, star garlands, and other American decorations, as well as making other preparations for Monday with my family.

What is everyone else doing for Memorial Day?