With Memorial Day right around the corner, I want to thank all the military men and women for their commitment, dedication, and sacrifice in helping this country be a better and safer place to live, especially to all the ones we have lost—there is no greater sacrifice. I honor all of you today, this weekend, and always. I see your incredible strength and am grateful to all of you.

“Remember those who served before. Remember those who are no more. Remember those who serve today. Remember them as we eat and play. Our protectors are not at home today. Remember them all on Memorial Day.” — Emily Toma

And a huge appreciation to all their families, because without their love and support, none of this would be possible! Memorial Day is a reminder of all the sacrifices that our troops and their family’s make every day to defend our great country.

“It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.” — General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr.

Sacrifices start with a mother or father who leaves their children, their spouses, families, and friends for months, if not years, at a time. All the missed birthdays, anniversaries, a baby’s first step, a child’s graduation, weddings and funerals. Can you imagine what it would be like to leave your family for extended periods at a time? Most of us cannot.

“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” — Maya Angelou

And when these heroes come back, sometimes they are the same person who left. As a result, they fight anger, despair, stress, PTSD, lost limbs, and many more tragedies that effects not just them but their entire family. What sacrifices these men, women, and their families go through to keep America protected is unthinkable.

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.” — President Harry S. Truman

I am truly grateful for ALL that you do to keep us safe because without you, there would be no America, at least America as we know it, with all of our freedoms.

“Memorial Day this year is especially important as we are reminded almost daily of the great sacrifices that the men and women of the Armed Services make to defend our way of life.” — Robin Hayes

The words “thank you” do not seem good enough. Your sacrifices can never be repaid. Thank you to all the veterans, past and present, and to all their families for all that you do and will continue to do in the name of freedom! I am truly grateful to all of you!!

Gratitude Tip

Being grateful means feeling sincere appreciation for what you already have. You could gain every material thing in the world, but without gratitude, your possessions would be just objects. Feeling appreciation is one of the best emotions you can experience. Focusing on all you have instead of what you lack helps enhance your well-being, creating more happiness, optimism, and better health. And the more you appreciate, the more you receive.

One of the easiest ways to enter this space is to appreciate the present moment. This is where I feel a relationship with all things. Gratitude says to the world, “I am thankful for you, for me, for everything.” And I’m especially grateful for our service women and men.

The statement, “We reap what we sow,” is very true. What we put out to the world comes back to us. I hope this is especially true for those who serve because they have given so much of themselves. They deserve to receive so much back.

I purposely seek gratitude. Am I in grace all the time? No, but I now find it easier to return to this state when feeling down. Many of us have reasons to be thankful, but we concentrate on what is wrong in our lives instead of on what is right.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” — President John F. Kennedy

Embrace the good and attempt to connect to gratitude. Make gratitude an action word by performing an act of service, such as walking a sick friend’s dog, delivering groceries to someone unable to shop for themselves, or thanking someone for their service.

Take a few moments every day to be thankful. Make gratitude a practice by feeling it, showing it, and doing it. Embrace the emotion and live in this space. I have found that being grateful leads to a more content, peaceful, and meaningful life.

Thank You For Your Service!

I would like to thank you for your service, your seen and unseen sacrifices, and for enlisting to protect us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am forever grateful!

I will leave you with some lyrics from “Proud To Be An American” by Lee Greenwood. Every time I hear this song, I cry because I am very patriotic and SO Proud To Be An American. And I give thanks today and every day to those who give that right to me.

“That I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died who gave that right to me.”

In conclusion, today and every day I honor and celebrate you. God bless you and God bless the USA!

Take care, Lynn

If you liked this post, take a look at my gratitude post. https://lynnlokpayne.com/practice-gratitude/