Dear editor,
Life is full of blessings and disappointments. Meditating on the hallowed Fourth (of July), thanking God therefore, I experienced two of the former and one of the latter.
Blessing No. 1: I happened upon the INSP channel’s special, “The Price of Freedom.” It recapped stories of many who sacrificed their lives to ensure America remains the land of the free, the home of the brave.
Included were ordeals of an American World War II prisoner of war; a survivor of incarceration at the Hanoi Hilton; a firefighter in the 9-11 tragedy; a victim after saving many lives; stories of many military sacrificing their lives (told by family members); young wives whose husbands died, never having seen their newborns — all of which brought tears to my eyes.
May Americans never forget! During this blessing, the Gospel of Jesus Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for all was offered as well, a double blessing!
Blessing No. 2: Every year I watch the time-honored “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” the life story of George M. Cohan, patriot par excellence. He tried to enlist to serve our country, but was told he was too old. He was disappointed, but God used him mightily to encourage Americans, especially our troops.
We used to sing his songs in school many years ago — like, “The Grand Old Flag”; my favorite being “Over There.” I find myself singing them over and over again. He received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
The thought crossed my mind that Trump, if elected, will do everything in his power to execute on line dealing with ISIS, et al. That line, “We’re coming over and we won’t come back ‘til it’s over, over there,” is an exciting possibility. Hallelujah!
The disappointment: “Watters’ World.” On the Fourth, Watters interviewed many beachcombers, some of whom were probably collegians or college graduates, whose ignorance of historical happenings is sad indeed.
Some couldn’t answer what the Revolutionary and Civil Wars were about, who won them, or who George Washington was — one answered he was president after Abraham Lincoln.
Our educational system, which has been found wanting for years, is certainly lacking. Is it true cursive writing is no longer taught?
Lest we forget, I’ll remember this and every other Fourth as long as I live!
God bless us all as only He can. Maranatha.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: LETTER: Two patriotic blessings and a disappointment this Fourth of July