May 31

Written by Bill Grandi on May 31st, 2021

I have never served in the military. When I was in high school, registering for the draft was a law. When I was in college it was a law also. When I turned 18 on October 9, 1970 I was a Freshman in college. But I was required to register so I hitched a ride from a school buddy and made my way to another town in Kentucky to do so. I was never called and to this day do not know what my number was. I was exempt because I was in a Bible college studying for the ministry.

I did not go to college to bypass the draft, even though I know of some who did. They really had no business being in that college because they had no desire to really be a pastor.  Without trying to be too judgmental, their lives showed it.

I did not know what VietNam was all about. I was naive when it came to war and political things. Call me guarded. Call me shielded. Call me sheltered. I do know if I had been called on to defend the freedom of this country, I was willing to do so. But I didn’t have to.

Others did it in my place. I am grateful.  I am beyond thankful for the men and women whom we honor today, those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.  I keep thinking of those who want to destroy what we have; to take it and give it away to some lawless nation; to compromise the foundation of our great nation to satisfy their own whims; and as they do, compromise their own words to get what they want. Sacrifice does not do that. Sacrifice is no where close to the “what-I-can-get-out-it” mentality that dominates today’s thinking.  I still say that if they don’t like living in the United States of America then take their wretched philosophy and governmental garbage (socialism) and 1) move somewhere else (you know…as they threaten to do so) and 2) take their wretched ideas and put them where the sun don’t shine. (Sorry if that is too crude).

As you consider today, think of it as more than a holiday (and in many cases) a day off work. Remember the sacrifice paid for your freedom.  Here is a thought: did you worship yesterday at the place of your choice?  Try that in a socialist country.  I don’t think we are perfect and I certainly don’t worship the USA. I am not a Christian nationalist. But I am a grateful American whose Christian faith recognizes the God of all humanity as the One True God and as the One who has truly blessed us.

‘Nuff said. Soapbox put away…for now. 🙂

 

6 Comments so far ↓

  1. I couldn’t have said this better myself, Bill. Let us remember all the fallen who died that we might remain free, and give thanks.
    Blessings!

  2. Andy Wood says:

    Appreciate your thoughts Bill, especially your thoughts on socialism, and the love affair our left has with it today.

    So many of our youth and others in the 60’s keep asking the question of “what are we doing over there?” in regard to Vietnam. The domino effect, the possibility of communism spewing from one country to another was a real consideration during the cold war era and the US was prepared to send troops to stop it. But, as we at home measured a cost in that of the lives of our Son’s at the time ( many daughters but mostly son’s during this era), many do not consider the ill fate that communism has left the masses with. Read about the Kim regime in N.Korea. Read about Mao and his mass executions in China, Stalin in Russia, Castro in Cuba. In the 70’s Po Pot in Cambodia or the Pathet Lao in Laos. Then consider, after we left Vietnam, the reeducation programs, executions and suppression that has lived on…

    The point is, there is a cost to defending freedom both here and abroad. It is for the lives of other humans so that they might prosper. It is most always worthy, and thankfully, we have young men and women who are willing to die for others, and their freedom, not just ours here at home.

    Isaiah 6:8 8Then I heard the voice of the LORD saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

    • Bill Grandi says:

      WOW Andy! This is such a powerful comment. It is too bad that history revisionists want to take away the lessons we can learn because they have an agenda. May we always remember the sacrifice paid for our freedom. Thanks for the insightful comment.

  3. Ryan S says:

    Military was definitely an option I pondered. I am not one to think too hard about the what ifs, but occasionally I do wonder how my life may have been different if I had chosen the military option.

    I do reflect on those that paid the ultimate sacrifice. I am sure many considered other options as well when they were drafted or enlisted.

    My stepdad served in Korea. He didn’t talk about it much. My grandfather whom after I am named, Carl, served in the air force during WWII. His plane was shot down and he nursed his legs for the rest of his life from the burns and injuries he suffered.

    There are the countless others that paid the ultimate sacrifice. The countless others whose lives paid the price for the freedoms so many are willing to throw away.

    I thank God for the men and women who continue to serve. I thank God for the families who sacrifice the time lost while there enlisted family members are deployed.

    I pray for comfort for those today who are finding it difficult to remember today because of a recent loss or a loss that continues to bring pain.

    Thanks for the post and the remembrance today.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I love your heartfelt remembrance Ryan of those who whom you knew and were close to you affected by the war they were in. I found myself being drawn into your comment and seeing your grandfather rubbing his legs and remembering. Thanks for your reflection.