To ALL the Armed Forces.......... THANK YOU

You know as this war is going on, I don't think that we stop long enough to really think about the people over seas that are fighting for our freedom. I have a nephew (in-law) that is over in Iraq right now. The other day his unit was hit by a roadside bomb. It destroyed the unit in front of his, but his unit got hit with shrapnel. By the Grace of God they weren't seriously injured. He is alright, and we Praise God for that. I received an e-mail yesterday that had a poem in it that was written by a marine. It really touched my heart. They are fighting for our freedom, and I realized that I need to be more thankful for all that they are doing over there. Here is the poem:

THE MARINE

We all came together
Both young and old
To fight for our freedom
To stand and be bold.

In the midst of all evil
We stand our ground
And we protect our country
From all terror around.

Peace and not war
Is what some people say
But I'll give my life,
So you can live the American way.

I give you the right
To talk of your peace,
To stand in your groups
And protest in the streets.

But still I fight on
I don't complain, I don't whine
I'm just one of the people
Who is doing your time.

I'm harder than nails
Stronger than any machine
I'm the immortal soldier
I'm a U.S. MARINE!!

So stand in my shoes
And leave from your home
Fight for the people who hate you
With the protests they've shown.

Fight for the stranger
Fight for the young
So they all may have
The greatest freedome you've won.

Fight for the sick,
Fight for the poor,
Fight for the cripple
Who lives next door.

But when your time comes
Do what I've done
For if you stand for freedom
You'll stand when the fight's done.

By: Corporal Aaron M. Gilbert, US Marine Corps
USS SAIPAN, PERSIAN GULF

So if you know of somebody who is fighting for our freedom right now, make sure you take the time to say THANK YOU too them. They are fighting a battle for us so that we can have our freedom, and I am so grateful for that. Pray for their safety while they are over there too, and that they will be able to come home to their families soon.