As our country approaches our 250th Anniversary, there are many celebrations being planned all across our blessed homeland. Many fond memories come to mind as I ponder what this means to those who gave their all to secure and ensure our continued freedom. One phrase that comes to mind is: “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.”
This phrase once haunted me in my younger years as my sister would say it over and over again as she practiced her typing. Honestly, if you grew up as either a Baby-Boomer or Generation X’er, how can you not remember this from typing class? I cannot remember if I ever registered the words she was repeating nor the meaning of those words at that time, back then it was just annoying but today, as the words reappeared from my memory, the words are much more meaningful and profound. A phrase so simple, used to time the number of words typed correctly, filled with the duty and responsibility of every American who truly loves this country.
As I now repeat this phrase in my mind, it serves as a reminder that we are privileged to serve, much more than a duty, but should it ever become a duty, one should embrace it with honor and readiness.
From the beginning of time, or close to it, God has called and anointed men, and women to lead armies against His enemies; Joshua, David, Joan of Arc, just to name a few.
When we would visit my grandparents, I would see the pictures of my maternal grandfather and all my uncles in their Navy uniforms. Every time I would see those pictures and the pictures of my dad and his brother in their Army uniforms, I would remember that phrase and repeat those words, silently, over and over in my head and think, they came to the aid of their country.
Although I really did not understand the full depth of their service at the time, just seeing them in their uniforms, knowing that when Uncle Sam called, they all answered the call for God and country.
My father-in-law, a decorated Korean War Veteran was awarded two Purple Hearts, having served two tours in the jungle of Korea, at the age of 17. His family’s military service dates back to the Civil War and as far back as 1854 with one of his great-great-great grandfathers who was part of the “Horseback Company” Co. C, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, New Mexico Mounted Militia. He was wounded by two arrows while serving alongside Federal Troops due to his expertise with horses and familiarity with the terrain.
Being born into a family of service men and marrying into a family of military men ignited a fire within me do my part for a country I truly love. These men served because they believed in the American Dream. Not only what was happening, but what could be for all men and women in a Country for those who longed to be free. I knew I had to be part of this legacy. I could do nothing less than what my ancestors had done and that was to serve my country for the blood, sweat, and tears that flowed generations before me to secure my rights and my freedom. I had to continue to ensure the same rights and freedom for my own children and grandchildren, so in 1987, I proudly raised my hand to serve in the United States Air Force. I ended my Active duty after 20-years, 6 months and 22-days having served during Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan, and I would do it all over again.
To risk everything for God and Country, the brave men who drafted and signed the Declaration of Independence in reality signed their own death sentences. They believed in a free state where the tyranny of a monarchy would never again reign over them and keep them shackled by their unjustly rule.
The Preamble, the unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America, kicks it off:
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
It flows into the Declaration of Independence as it reads:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator (emphasis mine) with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness… But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
There are countless number of men, women and children, whose names we may never know, who shed their blood to preserve the values this country stands for and the freedoms we are blessed to have. If we forget how we attained said freedoms, their sacrifice would be for naught.
When we are faced with the possibility of war, Augustine of Hippo, reminds us that “Peace should be the object of your desire; war should be waged only as a necessity, and waged only that God may by it deliver men from the necessity and preserve them in peace.” He continues, that even while fighting, one must keep mercy in view: “Let necessity, therefore, and not your will, slay the enemy who fights against you.”
We are One Nation Under God. We are the Land of the Free, because of the brave men, women and children who gave their lives for our country.
As G.K. Chesterton so eloquently put it: “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”
Fly your American Flag proudly, not just in the month of July, but every day. And remember all those who gave up everything so you could live in the Greatest Country in the world.
And always remember, if the time ever comes: “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.”
Live your life worthy of HIS Sacrifice +
God Bless America +
Deacon Dez
