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A Mother's Vision
Veteran's Day originated as "Armistice Day" on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. I have given you a link to some important and interesting facts regarding this important holiday. (Follow link).
In the first part of 1928, a mother received a note and poem from her son who was serving America as a soldier in Europe. The mother read the note and responded with her own note and poem.
The Mother was my Grandmother who passed away some years ago at age 99. The son is my Uncle who lives in Yakima and celebrated his 101st birthday three weeks ago.
As we know, mothers respond differently to the idea of their children serving in the U.S. military. Some demonstrate -- some have a vision.
In honor of all who serve and have served in our military and those parents who love them, I have included my Grandmother's response to the service of her son.
_____________________________
A Mother's Vision
"Dedicated to My Son and our Boys across the sea"
Dear Son,
With pride your poem I read,
And I sensed plain truth
in the words that you said.
Tho' the bullets that are flying are far away,
Some mother's boy will have to pay
with his life-blood for freedom that we might live
The supreme sacrifice he will give.
And somehow I -- as I read those lines so true,
I'm wondering if we are doing all we can do
For these dear boys who face the "call"
Leaving families and sweethearts, giving their all.
And I pondered that question within my heart, and I said --
"Dear God, help me to do my part --
On that battlefield so far away.
Help me O' God to always pray for the laddies out there who mean to stand
'Till freedom reigns on Sea and Land."
Then a Voice I heard, so soft and low --
"Mothers," it said, "you too can go
To that battlefield beyond the seas --
But remember your place will be on your knees.
It's not by power, it's not by might, it's the spirit of prayer
That will win this fight!"
A Purple Heart you may never wear, but hearts of gold are fighting there
Who needs your prayers and courage too
That they might win and come back to you.
I bowed my heart, I vowed anew,
Whatever the cost, I will be true.
To God the Father, God the Son, and the millions of fighting boys as One,
And send a prayer as a shaft of light to those boys --
Through the long dark night--
And make it so real that every boy can feel
A nail-scarred hand placed in his own
A presence that is leading and guiding them home.
Mother
_____________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom
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7 Comments:
Gary,
Thanks for sharing your "blessing". I feel many more people will benefit from your grandmother's "vision".
What a wonderful heartfelt poem. Such a pity that you felt the need to include a cheap-shot at mother's, who aren't pro-war, when posting it.
Jack Seattle
Jack, Since we have a VOLUNTEER military, your comment about mothers who aren't pro-war was unnecessary.
Evidently, you do not appreciate the need for our nation to have any military. All military must be combat ready or they are useless! Those men and women who feel the call to duty for whatever their personal reason need to be appreciated and encouraged.
You see, Jack, there is an element afoot in this world that doesn't, got that, doesn't want peace! They, and that element changes or "morphs" over time, nonetheless need to be challenged or those who subscribe to the "peacenik" line of thinking will just rollover and wet on themselves in peaceful cowardness! Real aggressors will then take over as history has demonstrated. Is that what you want for the counry you call home?
To constantly look for a place to "dig" at those who support standing up for freedom is pathetic. Why don't you go live in a country that better fits your idology? I suspect it is because you want the freedoms we have in this country! Freedoms others before us fought and gave their lives - some with fear, some with bravery, yet the end was, we retained our freedoms. Freedoms that the liberal element in this country are doing their darndest to destroy with their line of thinking! They don't realize what they are doing!
Gary's grandmother wasn't aware of the high level of abuse of those freedoms that are constantly barraging (excuse the military term) our senses!
God is well aware of the need for this war! Kerry (or Gore) would never have gone to war! God wants this war to happen for his purpose whatever that exactly is as he did "call" G.W. Bush to be our president! G.W. Bush never aspired to be president as Kerry and Gore have! Think about that!
3:26 PM, November 09, 2007
Two threads in a row with the angry, anonymous personal-attack laden comments. You should really do something about that anger, it's not good for your health, you know.
Jack in Seattle :)
Jack,
It is not anger I post with; but conviction and wanting to set things straight!
Our "society" has become so encouraging of wishy-washy thinking so everyone is "politically correct" that it needs to be addressed.
nameless poster (what happened to the posting guidelines?)
If your objective was to "set things straight!", your post wouldn't have been filled with baseless suppositions about me and my positions. If you wanted to "set things straight!" you would have acknowledged that Gary introduced the idea of non-pro-war mothers in the fourth paragraph of his post, rather then admonishing me as if I had introduced it.
I'd say your objective was not to "set things straight!", but to engage in cowardly anonymous smears against someone, who doesn't march in lockstep with your opinions.
Jack in Seattle
(who wonders if the censors will choose to stifle this post, while allowing anonymous personl attacks against me in direct violation of the posting guidelines)
While it's probably true that "mothers respond differently to the idea of their children serving in the U.S. military", the real issue is that mothers respond differently to the idea of their children dying in an unnecessary occupation. They respond differently to learning that the justifications for the occupation were untrue. They respond differently to their children dying because they don't have proper body armor. Yes, some mothers wrap themselves in the flag and blind support for the policy. Others read, think, question and then do what they can to prevent other mothers from needlessly losing their children.
Mark in Tigard
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