Thinking today about all of the brave men and women who sacrificed for our freedom.  When I stopped and thought about it, there are more military men, and one woman, in my family than I even realized.

A special thanks to my: grandfather, father, father-in-law, husband, uncle, uncle on my husband’s side, half brother, cousin on my husband’s side, step uncle, 2 step nephews, a dear family friend who is like family to us and all of our friends serving stateside and abroad.

THANK YOU to everyone who embraced Jesus’ words in John 15:12-13, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

May today be a day to remember those who lost their loved ones in service to our country, prayer for the family and friends who miss them so much, and a day of gratitude for those we still have in our lives to hold dear.

I took these photos when we visited Arlington Cemetery.  It was humbling, and a bit overwhelming, to stand in a place surrounded by countless names of those who loved their country so much they would die for it.  One of my children’s teachers is still in the service.  Every morning, when students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance, one student refuses to stand.  This teacher told my child’s class (a different class than this student is in) that at a moment’s notice, he is ready to literally drop everything and serve his country – so he can defend the student’s right to abstain from the Pledge.  Wow.  There is tremendous emotion in his words.

In a day of reflection, may God’s sovereignty, wisdom, mercy, peace and grace be upon us today and always.