REMEMBER

I thought about what I would post for the 4th of July and I remembered this commemorative speech I had to give last year and thought it would be very fitting for this holiday. This speech had to be no more than five minutes long, not less than four and given without the use of notes but we could use visuals, so in the background as I gave the speech I had a PowerPoint of pictures playing (I trimmed the video so I could add music). I hope you enjoy it!

 

Today I would like to share my deep appreciation for all of our men and women who have served and continue to serve in our armed forces. It is because of these most amazing people that you and I enjoy our freedoms. Our service people come from all walks of life, ethnic and religious backgrounds but in the name of peace and freedom they lay their differences aside and fight side by side to assure our country and its peoples’ peace and freedom.

Can you imagine leaving your family; husband, wife, children, mother, father, brother, sister for six months to four years to go to a far away country with people you don’t know, to carry 80-100 pounds of gear on your back, trudging across deserts or swamps all day and at times all night, sleeping on a cot or on the ground and eating only if there is time. There are many Americans who gladly do this out of a sense of duty to this great nation so you and I can walk down the streets without fear, eat dinner with our families, laughing and talking about the day’s events and sleep in a warm bed at night feeling safe and secure.

We sit in a restaurant complaining about the food, our troops are thankful for the food they receive, we get impatient standing in the long line at the store, our troops gladly stand and walk for hours at a time, they gave up the conveniences we take for granted to defend this great nation.

We all know who George Bush, Hillary Clinton and Arnold Schwarzenegger are but do you know who Lloyd Lamphere, Stacy Lawson, Jerry Turner and Darlene Weidmayer are? These are just a few of the many tens of thousands who have defended this great nation selflessly; their courage has no bounds and I am very grateful and proud of these great Americans. These are the people who make me proud to call myself an American.

As the song goes “all gave some and some gave all”. Truer words have never been spoken; this is what our armed forces do for each and every one of us every day. There is a price to be paid for freedom and that price is blood and every generation must pay this price. These brave men and women sacrifice without question so you and I can live in peace and freedom.

We often forget this because our troops are so far away and we get caught up in our day to day lives. We’re only reminded when a tragedy hits the media but when the news dies down we slip back into our own little worlds again. But the families of these soldiers never forget, they are reminded every day when they wake up and their loved ones are not home yet. Somewhere there is a little boy or girl wondering if their mommy or daddy will be home for Christmas.

It is up to all of us to support our troops, so the next time you see our flag flying high remember to say thank you to all the men and women serving in all branches of the military.

And may God bless these great Americans and continue to bless the United States of America!