Your Sacrifice Made a Difference

I saw sacrifice today. As I walked around watching all the families celebrating what their loved ones have done for all of us; I couldn’t help but notice something that I desire to be around; honor, loyalty, bravery, courage. My heart ached as I watched the Vietnam Vet in front of me stand up for the Pledge of Allegiance. I wondered how much he longed to see that flag while in combat. The sadness in his eyes as he listened to The National Anthem made me wonder if he holds any regrets because of the things he saw or is it the reminder of the days in combat of seeing his comrades die in battle. I can only imagine and will never truly know what it felt like to give my life up for my country.

       Then I noticed brute strength and power holding a small new innocent child. Did he just get back from duty? Was he able to see his child born? Was he out in battle wondering if his pregnant wife and unborn child was safe without him. This newborn child lie innocently soaking up every once of love from his brave father; not knowing that he may be off in battle again soon.

Then there was the man missing his leg. My son called it a robotic leg. He said that it would be cool to have a robotic leg. My son does not know the sacrifice that man had to go through in order to achieve his honorable robotic leg. I wonder if he knows that his leg is a symbol of envy from a six year old boy. Is it a constant reminder of his pain for him? Or is it a symbol of courage and strength for him. How does he struggle with his pain? I told my son that in order to get a leg like that you need to have courage, strength, and honor. That man put his life in danger, which took his real leg, so that others could be free.

Everyday I walk by people that have a leg missing. I walk by people in wheel chairs. I see men who are worn and tired in age. I see mother’s alone scrambling to keep their small children in line. I never wonder why they are the way they are. I just keep walking doing my business. Today, I saw them all in one place, the First Annual Military Appreciation BBQ which was held at the Hero’s Night Out Green Zone Resource Center in Cedar Park, Texas. I was amazed and awed by the courage I saw today. I felt honored to be among them. 

It hurts me to say that I have not really took the time to see and acknowledge what these people and their families have gone through for me; for us. Today, I want to thank them for all their sacrifice! I want to thank them for their suffering, their hard work, their dedication, and their loyalty. I thank you from the bottom of my heart! My prayer is that God will bless each and everyone of you immensely. Know that YOU have made a difference in all that you have sacrificed!

I’m going to leave you today with some more pictures from the event and a list of all the organizations that contributed to make it so much fun for these families.

Sponsor

Vantage Health Access

Contributors (There were so many contributors that I can’t list them all. Please contact me if you would like to be listed)

Wing Stop          AT&T Veterans          BBVA Compass          State Farm          PRIMERICA          Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union

Perks Glass       Scentsy                          Tx Association of Vietnam Vets       The Art Institute   University of Phx. Military Division

Goodwill           Home Depot                TX. Vet Commission                                Wilco Blue Star Mothers

Team RWB      American Red Cross of Central Texas                                          Rotary Club of Austin