Tuesday evening while I was traveling through a number of airports, I watched several military men and women traveling to and from their deployment posts. I also watched a woman who struggled with a young child–very clear that both mom and daughter were fatigued–as I learned she was traveling for the holidays without the benefit of her husband who is in the military, stationed overseas. As a young man walked through the terminal in Denver, I heard an older couple comment on the changes in the uniform design. I overheard one child ask his mom if that was the same backpack his dad was using in Iraq: his mom obviously trying to maintain her emotions.
I’m afraid I didn’t do so well. I wept.
Consumed by the sense of sacrifice these young men and women.. so close to the age of my own son…are making – sacrificing time with their families and even their lives.
The traditional holiday season is upon us and again our sons, daughters, fathers and mothers are standing up for their convictions. Politics aside…one cannot help but be proud of the courage of these men and women and the sacrifices their families make for all of us.
As I sat back tonight and listened to some random songs on my Ipod, a song by the group Lonestar came on entitled “I’m Already There (message from home). Interjected into the song were excerpts from spouses and kids of those serving overseas. I found a link to it on the web absent the excerpts. I would encourage you to listen to it now. And the next time you see a soldier passing through an airport or anyplace else, take the time to thank them. If you see a parent struggling with a child, lend some encouragement or at least some patience. Consider what sacrifices the families make for all of us.
Most of all, pray for the safe return of all of our men and women who are in harms way.