Every year the fourth of July comes and goes. Memorial Day, D-Day are times that we take to remember American men and women who have made sacrifices for freedom in the United States and around the world. Men and woman who bravely go into battle despite the fears of death and harm. Men and woman who dedicate their lives for people who will never say thanks, who they will never meet. Men and woman who made choices of greater good over themselves.The very great thing about this country is that no matter what political or moral view that you hold, each and every one of us wants the best for our men and women in uniform. We know in our hearts that we either can't or won't make the sacrifices they make every single day. There is always a lot of emphasis on the physical, spiritual, and psychological sacrifice that the troops make. At times the families of troops get left out of the conversation.
Even if the Fourth has past you can still honor soldiers and their families that make a great sacrifice. Why do I include the families? Well because families take on the psychological, spiritual, and mental burden as well when a father or mother is in the military. Families lose out on one or both parents. This means not a lot of together time with kids and spouses. Family meals, game nights, plays, recitals, etc. mom, dad or both are not able to be there. It can take a toll on military kids. Packing up and moving numerous times in your life, your whole world changing around you every 18 months. Families make sacrifices as well.
Honor soldiers and their families by writing a letter saying you are praying for the whole family to be safe, thank the whole family for their sacrifice--tell them how much it means to you. Give a thank you goodie basket to a military family, include something for the kids. Supporting the troops and their families can be done in a lot of different ways. We are excited to serve military families first hand by running the youth ministry on a military base's chapel. There is something you can do, which goes beyond words, to support the troops.
So find out you can do that goes beyond just saying "Support the Troops", on the Fourth of July, D-Day, Memorial Day or everyday.
