's motd May 26, 2008 - Memorial Day

[Guest guest]

HONORING OUR LOST SOLDIERS

Monday, 26 May 2008

Memorial Day was started after the Civil War to honor those soldiers who gave their lives in the Union Army. The day was later expanded to honor those soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice, with their lives, in all of our country's wars.

I couldn't tell you how many more of our soldiers have lost their lives since the Civil War But I'm sure that number would shock all of us. Nor can I tell you how many wars our country has been involved in since the Civil War but I know there have been many of them.This sad loss of life has been going on for years too long. I can only imagine how many millions of people have been affected by the loss of our soldiers. I am not a person who visits cemeteries but I did visit Arlington National Cemetery once near Washington, DC. During my visit, I just stood there in absolute awe. There were rows and rows of thousands of crosses, as far as the eye could see. And each of them represented one brave American life.I remember when the Gulf War broke out back in the early 90's. Then, I did a tour of several military bases and taught exercise classes for many of the spouses and family members of our troops. Many of them brought their children along with them and we all worked out together.

I listened to a lot of stories and gave a lot of hugs out, too. And after our classes, we'd all gather together, bow our heads and pray. I prayed for all of the soldiers to come home safely to reunite with their families. And I prayed that the war would soon be over and there would be peace in our world.Today, I get E-mails from spouses and family members who have lost their sons, daughters, wives or husbands in this tragic war we're now fighting in the Middle East. I call them, talk with them and do my best to comfort them. And at the end of those phone calls, we always pray together.Today is a very special day we should all pray and praise. We must pray for the families who are left here and who are frightened and worried about their loves ones. And we must praise those magnificent soldiers of ours who are overseas fighting for and protecting our great country.And we should pray that this war ends soon so that all of our soldiers may safely return home.Love,