Freedom ain’t free ... Thank a Veteran

Saturday Oct. 21, my young bride Stella and I had the honor and privilege to participate in a grand reunion in the home of Rogers Craig. It was a gathering of young officers that were deployed to Vietnam in 1968. They were Air Force Engineers, an advance group that built landing strips and other facilities in this war-torn country. They soon adopted the name “Red Horse,” but that is another story. 

Our U.S. Representative Pete Sessions, our Texas State Representative Angelia Orr, and Marlin’s Mayor Susan Byrd were on hand with proclamations and honors for this group. These young officers are now in their 80s and 90s, but still patriotic soldiers just as they were in 1968. “TO THE HORSE!” is their battle cry. The U.S.A. owes each of them our sincere gratitude!                                                                                          

Veteran’s Day will be celebrated on Nov. 11. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, each one of us should stop whatever our busy lives have us doing and find the time to reflect on the marvelous freedoms that are ours to enjoy through the Grace of God and the strength of our Veterans! So, my prayer is that America remains strong and free and Christian! And I am grateful for the women and men that have made these freedoms possible. Thank you, Veterans, for your service to our country! 

Thomas Jefferson once said. “God who gave us life, gave us liberty.” And John Hancock remarked, “Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual.” And we find in the Bible at Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” 

We give thanks to the Good Lord for our Veterans because brave men and women conceived the idea of living in a country that would be free from a tyrant’s rule. They wanted to bow to the Cross and not to a mortal king. A country where they could have freedom to govern themselves, to base their laws on Godly principles, and to have freedom of religion where they could serve a living God each and every day. America! And just what made this country so great? So many things that pages have trouble containing them all. 

So, where does the credit go? I would say it goes to the brave people that first set foot on this continent, and then to each one, since that first immigrant to this land. And how did they achieve success? Through their strong character and the Grace of God that gave them the faith to step forward. 

We enjoy our God given rights because of their actions! These brave men and women of our military, and that includes all veterans from the first soldier that this land produced to our present-day heroes, these veterans have sacrificed and put their lives on the line that each one of us might be allowed to experience the freedoms that they fought to preserve. 

Heroes that believe God will guide our paths in such a way that America will continue to be the greatest nation on the earth. These freedoms are numerous, and it should take you a good amount of time to recount them all. And while you are at this task, be mindful of the many sacrifices the women and men of our military have made that you might reap the benefit! At this point, I would hope you would send aloft a prayer of thanksgiving, not only for those freedoms, but for those brave souls that help preserve them for us. God’s Grace has allowed our country to become the grandest place to live that anyone could hope for. So, gents remove your lids and ladies stand in awe as Old Glory flutters over the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!

Freedom Ain’t Free

Hats off…Old Glory is passin’ by!

Stand with hand over your heart.

Stand tall and proud with head held high

great Americans do their part.

It is how we honor our flag

an’ remember our history.

It’s a time about which we brag

an’ we’re proud that we are free.

Our people have fought an’ died

as they held that flag so high.

Our spirit has been sorely tried,

often a tear comes to our eye.

But there is strength of resolve

as we quietly persevere.

Because freedom will evolve

an’ we give a resounding cheer.

We thank the Lord for His bounty

an’ for all that proudly gave.

So we enjoy a life that’s free,

here in this land of the brave.

And to the veterans we say thanks

For your service to our great land

You guarded and protected our flanks

USA… united we stand!

Hats off…Old Glory is passin’ by!

©  Ol’ Jim Cathey

Show your love for God by making a difference in your church and your community!

Show our Veterans that you are a grateful American by living up to American Standards!

God Bless you and God Bless America!