"How do you explain something that you can't even understand yourself?" (Logan, The Lucky One)There are many thoughts are rushing to my mind like a wave coming upon the beach. A cool breeze this morning from the south and an overcast sky sets the tone of the words I wish to convey. My prayers were said this morning in thankfulness for …
The Lucky One…..
My heritage is full of family members that have served this
country and the freedom we have because of what they have done. From the time
they served George Washington to the present day, it is a privilege and honor
to serve this country. The United States Army from 1992-2000 has prepared me to
be helpful to my fellow mankind, to be proud of the service to my country, and
to provide freedom to those who need it.
The movie entitled, “The Lucky One”, struck a lot of
thoughts. Several times my units were deployed and God spared our units from
not going. We prepared our units, loaded our vehicles onto the trains at Fort Hood,
Texas to be sent to California. We went through prepping stages and as soon as
we were on lock down the message came through that Saddam Hussein stood down.
Many of my friends that had went survived and some came back
leaving a part of them in the war. The movie portrays a Marine Soldier coming
back from the Iraq war. A picture isolated from its owner lies on the ground.
The Marine finds it, embraces it and he is determined to find who the woman is
in the picture. He describes her picture to her as an angel sent to hell to
save him. In one seen, as he is back home, portrays him being startled by boys
and his reflexes reacted. He explains to his sister he cannot stay and sets out
on foot in search of his angel.
The
movie portrays him as the Lucky One. Today, as I reflect
upon the movie, my comrades that lay in cold ground, and those who have
served
with me, bears a cross of remembrance in my mind. Those who did not
die can be considered the Lucky One. However, I want to look from
a different perspective. You may have not served the country, but in some form you have supported the country through those who did. Soldiers have emotional wounds and often I cannot fathom the trauma they experienced and the thoughts that roll through their minds. Are they the lucky ones?
This weekend our great country remembers those who have fallen. The “unlucky ones” as we might classify them, are remembered. Families torn and hurt over the loss will grieve with mixed feelings. Soldiers who survived have emotional scars will reflect upon the war fought and the casualties that were harvested by the Reaper remembered.
Wars are not won through battles. Wars in reality do not have winners or losers. Wars end because they realize the overwhelming losses on both sides. There are no, “Lucky Ones” when wars are fought.
Soldiers who fought can be called heroes. Those who survive maybe called the Lucky One. However, I believe in some form we are all the Lucky Ones. Reflect this Memorial Day as you being the Lucky One. A price has been paid through your freedom through soldier’s blood. The flag stands for freedom as her stripes wave with blood stripes waves in the wind. The overcast sky reminds me of a passage in the bible as Christ hung upon the cross for the worlds sins. As Christians we are the lucky ones spiritually.
Memorial Day brings out the emotions that are buried and they are raised and surfaced through tears that shed our pain. Let not, it be a day of mourning, but instead let it be a day of feeling lucky or blessed by God we can live another day in freedom. The red, white and blue are symbols of pride and bought freedom in blood.
Thank a living veteran for his or her services to this country. Often times they are not the lucky ones because of the emotional scars and wounds they bear. You are the lucky one because of them. Let not it be a day of regrets, but embrace the chance to start life over because of the freedom they paid for you. The Tomb of the Unknown is a reminder of the sacrifice that was made. May we never forget we are the lucky ones as we sit in freedom to worship our creator, a choice to vote for the next elected officials and a chance to eat with family members in our observance of those who have fallen.
By Faith (Forging Attitude In Trusting Him)
