Fourth of July. Nothing screams summer more than fireworks, Barbeque, and fishing. It's the one day as Americans we can set aside all of our differences and be obnoxiously and totally patriotic. Fourth of July means family picnics, watermelon, and parades. But for some, it's a time to remember what their loved ones fought for. For some, it's an opportunity to thank the people that make this weekend possible.
According to UCSB Science Line (http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=1396), an estimated 660,000 American soldiers have died on the battlefield since the Revolutionary War. 660,000 men and women have given up their lives in order for us to celebrate this weekend. Men and women of every age, in every war, have fought and made the ultimate sacrifice. Wow. Thank you. Thank you so much. I don't know almost any of the 660,000 soldiers who have died for my freedom. In fact, most of them I've never been alive with at the same time, but this weekend they weigh heavily on my mind. I mean deciding that the people they loved and the future generations they would never get to meet was worth fighting for, how can I ever thank them for that?
I want to start with thanking their families. Thank you for allowing your daughter/son, husband/wife, sister/brother, or friend to fight for what they believe in. Thank you for dealing with the stress, the worry, and the grief that comes with having someone in the Armed Forces. I'm sorry. I can't imagine what you've been through. You've made sacrifices just like the individuals you've lost. Your husband isn't there to plan your teen's graduation party. You wife isn't around to watch the football game with you. Your sister isn't going to be there to celebrate your 21st birthday. I know sometimes it feels like no one else remembers your soldier, or that your soldier died for a government and country that's torn in two. Sometimes you probably believe that your loved one's sacrifice goes unnoticed, but I promise you, this weekend, and every other day after, I remember.
To all the soldiers, here or gone, I'm sorry. I'm sorry some days it seems like this country is falling apart. I'm sorry that as a country we don't acknowledge you and the battles you continue to fight. I'm sorry that the ideals of this country that you fought/fight so hard for aren't the realities. And more than anything else, I'm sorry I don't know how to thank you. I'm sorry to every veteran I've seen and not stopped and thanked like I've wanted to a million times. I'm sorry I don't have the courage you have. I'm sorry I don't have the ultimate plan to honor and thank every single person who has ever fought for the country that I love so much. My writing isn't enough, I know that. But it's all I know. It's the only way I know how to express my gratitude. This piece is my silent standing ovation to the people who have not so silently fought for me.
I promise that I will remember you, I will pray for your family, and I will lead the best life I can. I will think of you every Independence day, Veterans day, and every day in between. I promise to thank God every day for you and your courage. I will pray for the comfort of the people you've left behind. And I will look forward to the day I can shake your hand and spend eternity with you. Lastly, I promise to lead a life that exercises the rights you've protected. I promise to always try to lead the life you planned to. I promise to be as patriotic every other day of the year as I am on the Fourth. As an American, I promise to remember that even though this country isn't always at its finest, the soldiers who defend it are.