Last week my son, Ben, and I were moving a cabinet in our basement. Debbie had stored some family items in it which we had to “relocate”. In doing so, we came across a flag and a small container in which were a razor, a mirror, a couple of packs of cigarettes and a few other very small items. The flag was the one draped across Debbie’s Uncle Glen’s casket and in the container were ”personal effects” of Glen Mullins. Uncle Glen was killed in battle on February 3, 1945.

That discovery got me thinking about today and the ones who have been a special part of my life who have served America to defend the freedom and liberty you and I enjoy. It begins with my dad, Rockie Hodson, and his friend, George Moss, who served together in the 12th Armored Division, that fought across Europe to liberate Hitler’s concentration camps. It continues with my step-dad, Alex Holbrook, who served with the Army in the Pacific Theater in an artillery division and Dan Terhune, a friend and mentor, who served in the Navy in that theater as well. It includes my father-in-law, Fernoy Mosgrove, who enlisted as the war was concluding and was prepared to go if he had been called to do so.

Time fast forwards to the 1960s, my generation, and Vietnam. While there were some who don’t come to mind today there are three who do; David Fugate, Raymond Smith and Mike Peavy. These were not childhood friends but men I came to know and love in more recent years. The Lord allowed me to learn from them what the war in southeast Asia really was and and am so grateful for their sacrifice.

Then I think of today’s war, the War on Terror. They are children, in my eyes, but in reality they are young men and women who have stepped up that once more we might be safe in this land. There are many sons, daughters, nephews, nieces and grandchildren of friends and neighbors who have served in our modern military and I’m thankful for each of them. But four special young men come to mind; Christopher “Kenny Doe” Campbell, who has served at least three tours in Afghanistan and Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division; Josh Toner, who served in the Navy’s elite Swift Boats and went places he couldn’t talk about at the time; Travis Fugate, who was severely wounded in Iraq but has turned that tough circumstance into an opportunity by traveling the country speaking to encourage other wounded soldiers and then there is Eric Terhune. Eric was a Marine helicopter pilot who volunteered to serve as an embedded Forward Air Controller in Afghanistan with a Marine infantry unit.  Eric heroically gave his life in protection of another soldier on June 19, 2008.

I am truly humbled when I think of these men who made and make my life possible. While I did not have the honor of serving in the military I am so thankful for those who have that I might live in the greatest country in the world. It is my prayer that America’s people never allow anything to deter their respect and gratitude for what so many have given that we might enjoy the freedoms they have protected.