jesse59's Journal

Memorial Day. This is a very special day for me, personally. I am uber patriotic! I always have been. As a very young child I would go down to the basement where my father’s Air force uniform hung. I was fascinated with it. It was a easy choice after high school for me to make. I joined the Army. I had the time of my life. I got off walking in the woods and living it ruff. I was stationed in Georgia. The base was huge and mostly wooded. I joined a special outfit soon after getting there. L.A.R.P. was short for “Large Area Reconnaissance and Patrol.” We were the bad guys at war games. Working in small groups, behind enemy lines, was something I felt I had been born to. I excelled in all parts, including leading and planning many missions. I could go on for pages telling of days, but I am off message. This isn’t about me it is about us, the United States of America. Today is a day set aside for the fallen. As an American this day moves me deeply. Not only my father and I had served, but my son Thomas. He is a young Marine. Defending this life we have is not only worth it, but is why we are still a country. Because the call is deep in the millions of past veterans. All served, most survived, many did not. It is for them that today we honor the commitment and valor they gave for us to be free. It was a heavy price and I would have given my life, while in, if asked. I believe in America that much. I wish the time will come when we all can stand together again for our country. Fore the day we forget to remember those that paid the price for us to be hear. Is the day this nation will cease to be what our fore fathers envisioned so long ago. And was paid for by the blood of the willing to stand up for America.

I watched 60 Minutes last night. The story had me in tears, and yet, had be close to bursting with pride. The story followed a Company of Iowa Guardsmen from some time before their call up, thru there duty in Iraq. I could not begin to tell you how deeply that story hit me. Tears fell quietly several times as events unfolded for them. Their pride and strength seemed to flow out from the TV into my heart. At the end, I could not of been prouder of any of them, then if they were my blood family. It went a long way to restoring my faith in America. Despite some faltering leadership at times, it is clear to me that the real America is still alive and strong. I pray the time will come soon for them to return home to peace and love. I pray also for the day that will come again when others will have to stand up to defend freedom again. God Bless American. God Bless my fallen Brothers.