Dog Tags in Hand

Yes, it's that time of year when I get a little nostalgic. The time of year when Memorial Day, July 4th and then Veteran's Day all come within a few months of each other. It's as if I have a sense of standing for those who have gone before us and those who are currently serving this country. I find myself frustrated if I attend a service on these days that doesn't focus on America and all that goes along with freedom and sacrifice. My husband and I have actually walked out of meetings when the focus has been on life as usual during these times when the recognition and honor could have been place exactly where it should have been....on the great American spirit and those who fight and sacrifice to defend it.

I use to only put out my little flags in my flower pots and around the outside of the yard on these holidays. Now, I change them out most of the year. The big flag still flies on our front porch at sunrise until sunset and I am proud to know that all who go past our corner house each day, see it and recognize we take pride in displaying it each day.

Having been a military wife most of our married life, I am getting into a panic right now. We are just about to go into our 8th year of living in one place. My first thought is that I might actually have to clean cobwebs or baseboards or shutters and windows. I am used to just leaving that to the two to four year period of getting the cleaning done for clearance of quarters. I also cannot imagine what critters have embedded themselves in the attic boxes that have not been touched for nearly 8 years.

So, I began to set my sights on deep cleaning and rearranging. I began by cleaning out some drawers. I found the baby things I am keeping for grandchildren some day and as I opened the cedar chest to lay them inside, something caught my eye. It was a rusty chain with two rusty dog tags on it.

I began to read the inscription and saw that my Dad's name, his social security number and his mother and father's names and address (my grandparents) were engraved into the medal. I held them close to my chest and sobbed. I put them around my neck and wondered, where had he been when he wore these. Did he feel lonely, frightened or sad? Was he writing one of his beautiful love letters to my Mom while serving in Cuba or was he sitting back with a smoke and joking with his buddies?

These dog tags reminded me of why I feel so defensive during times of patriotic holidays. My father served and my husband served a country they deeply loved and one that they felt honored freedom and all that goes with it. Their love of God and country went hand in hand asthey served to allow others to live in freedom and the entrepreneurial spirit. They believed and still do in a country that stands for something so it will not fall for anything.

I am displaying these dog tags as a constant reminder to me to never become complacent on behalf of America. I want to always be proud to be an American in a land established on God's truth for our country. Established by our founding fathers and intended to be the foundation of who we are.

As I close with dog tags in hand I once again say, "Thank you for your service Military families! You make us continually proud to be an American and we stand together with you every day in thought and in prayer as you serve this great land!"