Independance Day

We all know why we have 4th of July, right? We celebrate our independance as our own country, and that we are no longer controlled by England. (I won't say who I think is controlling our country now...another time)

Thankfully, our founding fathers had vision and courage. I believe these are things severely lacking in our government today. (sorry, not going down that road)

As I was watching fireworks this weekend, my mind wondered to our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. My family has been adopting soldiers for three years now. We apply for one, write letters and send care packages until they go home, then we apply for another one. We pray for that soldier, and try to be encouraging to them.

I know these men and women risk their lives everyday. Personally, I don't care if you agree with the war or not. As an American, you are required to support the people over there defending our freedoms. Regardless of why you THINK they are there, the reason is we were attacked on our own land. We lost thousands of people in Pennsylvania, DC, and New York. We are not just going to stand by and accept it.

There are many soldiers who could use some love and moral support. If you are interested in adopting one soldier, several, or a whole platoon, go to adoptaplatoon.org. The soldiers over there appreciate anything you do. They love letters and packages. As my new soldier told me, "It means a lot to know people still care about us soldiers." Now, how sad it that? They have to wonder if we still care? Shame on the people who make these men and women feel this way!!

Think about that...

Soldiers in Iraq

I don't know if you know about Adoptaplatoon or not. It is a fabulous organization that puts regular American citizens with soldiers overseas that need a little moral support...which to me, would be all of them. My family has been adopting soldiers for several years now. We just got our third one. We send letters, cards, and care packages. Sometimes the soldiers email us back, but not often. Most of the time, you just send to them and never hear back. They are on the battle field, you know.

My son asked me why we adopted another one. I have to say I thought I had done a good job of explaining the whole thing to him, and I was upset at his attitude. Never mind that he is a child...I want him and his sister to feel like I do.

Well, our soldier, Andrew, sent us an email after receiving our first letter. I called my son to the computer and asked him to read it out loud to me. The email was thanking us for writing, thanking us for the picture my daughter made, and telling us how much it meant to him that there were people who still cared about the soldiers. He told me a little about him and his wife, and thanked me again for writing. I told my son, "That's why we still adopt soldiers." I think he understands better now.

We are the land of the free BECAUSE of the brave. Thank you to those who are serving and who have served. I salute you.

If you are interested in adopting a soldier or a whole platoon (church groups or clubs could do this) go to: adoptaplatoon.org.

Think about that.