It’s funny how things run parallel in this life. I have a friend who I have know for many years. She has been through some big struggles in her life, but no matter what she has come out on the other side so much stronger. Yesterday, as my son was becoming an official Marine, she welcomed her husband home from Afghanistan. As I watched those men and women travel down Main Street a this morning, flags and arms waving, I was struck by the irony of the moment. One comes home and another is on his way out. This happens over and over and over again….every day of the month, every month of the year.
At the welcome home ceremony there were many things said, but none rang more true than the words of one. I cannot quote her exactly but this is what I took away. We as civilians will never truly understand the sacrifice of those who serve. We go about our lives, forgetting that troubles exist outside of our bubble because you keep us safe. You are the ones who leave home. You are the ones in danger. You are the ones that fight instead of us. We could never do what you do. You do it for us.
So for Rachel and Vern and their family, words are small, but thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are the reason that we can live in our safe little place, the reason that my children know God without government limits, where they can play outside without worrying about suicide bombers and war, where we are all safe, no matter where we live. You have the courage to do what the rest of us cannot. Without you, we are not the United States of America.
I pray a blessing of prosperity and love over you and your family. Where there has been strife, let there be peace. Where there has been anger, let there be joy. And where there has been struggle, let there be freedom, in Jesus Name, Amen.
LIFE REWRITTEN 
Very beautifully stated! Thanks so much for sharing this, Mitzie!
Mitzie,there are not enough words that can be so eloquently put to express everything that I have felt this week. It has been an amazing week, and I too have been thinking often of Tyler this week as I have prepared to see my husband after so long. If there is one thing I have learned over the past 14 months of this deployment, it is to be so grateful for what we have instead of looking for what we don't. After all I have been through, I am so incredibly grateful for my husband. I am proud of my son, who is also Army National Guard. I am so very grateful they are both on home soil, and I will most likely never have to see the trauma my husband just came out of. I am so incredibly grateful for each and every soldier who sacrifice for our freedom, for the mothers and wives who shed tears and countless numbers of prayers for their soldiers, for the children who proudly wait for their "heroes" to come home. We are indeed a blessed, spoiled nonetheless, but blessed country. My husband and I made a choice before this deployment began to not let this time destroy, and we have been fortunate there so far, and we will not give up…We will not let what sacrifices have been made destroy our family. We will fight for our country, our freedom, our family, our faith, and we will not give up. Thank-you for being there as our soldiers returned. Thank-you for shedding tears with our family. Thank-you for the countless prayers that were lifted on behalf of our family. Please know that we also support your family, and pray immensely for Tyler, and your family. We are so proud of his accomplishments as well as terribly grateful for the sacrifices he and your family is making. We love you!!!!