GOTTA SHARE THIS. it was written by a Civil Air Patrol Officer: I was young, alone and frightened with no hope of ever seeing my family again. The sights, sounds and smells of that horrifying night on the battlefield, still hang vividly in my memory. Someday, in another piece, I may be led to share the details with you. I cannot take your valuable time, nor use the space in this forum, but I can assure you that I was there. I saw it! I witnessed that "River of Blood" in the Jungles of Vietnam. This Holiday has caused me to reflect on it, and the reasons behind its continuing flow towards freedom. Let me begin with a brief historical perspective, should my days of sitting in History class come to my aid. In 1776 John Adams wrote a letter to his wife. In that piece of correspondence, Mr. Adams referred to the celebration of Independence as a festival. He believed then, that it would and should be perpetuated in forthcoming generations. We cannot ignore, nor treat as non-consequential, how John Adams looked upon that long awaited day of deliverance. He began, as so many of our founding fathers, by giving thanks to the Almighty for what had been wrought. In my judgment, the hotdog, watermelon, and sparklers have taken a considerable toll on what should be a day most revered. Celebration is only as good as the "whole," not "in part," for which that celebration is given. (again, my personal opinion...) Abigail was to learn in an instant, why her beloved husband, John Adams, was so adamant. He was well aware of the river of blood that had been shed for the goal. For years, the term "Freedom of Liberty" has been taken for granted by so many. We need to remember that the cost of our liberty was NOT free, but rather cost a "river of blood" which, sadly, continues to flow to this day. Within the scope of our remembrance, some of us can reach back to WWI, followed by WWII, Korea and skirmishes in between. Personally, I shall never be able to blot, from my memory, the chaos, confusion, the fear, and the fallen of my experience in Vietnam. Our fathers came to these pristine, virgin shores to escape the tyranny and religious restraints of English hierarchy. The great American Revolution, for all intents and purposes, was in response to that bloody monarchy which refused to allow basic rights and privileges to her citizens. My prayer for each CAP family, is that while we are celebrating the 4th of July in a variety of ways, may we take a moment to reflect upon what the Declaration of Independence truly is, and what it means with respect to "all" the liberties we enjoy today. If we do that, I think that everything we do, by way of celebration, will be enhanced. Please have a safe and happy 4th of July. Blessings to each one... Captain / Dr. XXXXXX / Wing Chaplain United States Air Force / Aux Chaplain Corps / Maine Wing
Posted on: Fri, 05 Jul 2013 13:14:45 +0000