Never Forget

I saw him in a Nursing Home. Well, actually, a home for people with extreme cases of Alzheimer's disease. He walked into the commons area of the home, his 80-plus year old shoulders back; tall and distinguished looking with a military bearing that radiated a life of wearing the uniform. I asked one of the nurses about him. "Oh," she replied, "that man was a General Officer." "At one time he commanded a U.S. Army Division in combat." She stopped and then with a voice touched by a bit of sadness, she said, "Now, he doesn't even remember having been in the military."

I watched this man ... this un-sung hero of America; this everyday man, who poured his life into the safety and strength of our nation. And I thought, "Yes, it is sad that he's forgotten his service to America." "But how much more sad if the rest of us forget."

I'm overwhelmed by America's lack of heroes. No, let me re-state that thought. I'm overwhelmed by America's lack of recognition of her heroes. Some of you reading this right now are wearing a uniform ..! You're a hero ..!! Some of you have never worn a uniform, but your love of America runs deep ... to your very core! You're a hero ...!!! Be recognized ..!! Its people like you who have made and will keep this nation great.

The media moguls in America burn up the airwaves and waste ink spinning their wheels in the mire of indecency and filth. Our heroes are splashed across the front pages and websites; Brittany Spears and Tom Cruise and a thousand others, whose lives reflect a decadence that consumes our youth and leaves our nation's values anemic and weak. And, somehow, they think their lives count for something. Meanwhile, America's finest young men and women protect the very Constitution that gives these moral-less examples of indecency a platform from which to spew their messages devoid of any human value.

Would to God there could be a grassroots uprising that said to the world, "No, its not the half-naked, drug laced movie stars and sports figures who are our heroes." "Its the men and women who have wrapped themselves in our flag, stood in the sand, drawn a line and are ready to die, if necessary, to keep America safe." Americans, its time we found our backbones again and stood up straight.

Patriot ... civilian and military alike ... you are our heroes. And God bless everyone of you ...!

Chaplain Dan Gates, Sons of the American Revolution