I had an opportunity to play in the Marine Corps League fundraiser golf tournament this past Saturday at Jekyll Island. They had a pretty good turnout, somewhat surprising because it was the Georgia v. Florida football game which usually shuts everything down in this area. The course was in great shape and we had a great team and played very well. We didn't win but we also didn't figure to win. We just came to have a great time and support a great cause and we did.
The tourney started with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the National Anthem and then some motivational words from three Drill Instructors who came down from Paris Island. Those same drill instructors were also stationed at hole #3 to either collect a $5.00 donation for Toys for Tots or provide you with some "extra" motivation during your shot or as in most cases BOTH!! Let's just say they did a great job of both. I don't think I would want to be an 18 or 19 year old kid and have to live through that every day for boot camp. Once they were done harassing, I mean motivating you, they were very respectful as one would expect and made sure to personally thank and shake hands with each golfer. Quite a difference from the not so fine folks I had a run in with during an anti-war rally in Washington D.C. back in 2000. The Black Bloc can best be defined as a group of 16-23 year olds who would rather cause as much disruption for absolutely no cause that be a contributing member of society. They are not about peaceful protest. They are about throwing trash cans through the windows of banks and Starbucks coffee shops. Let's just say that I enjoyed every minute of fighting with those idiots and I know we came out on top!
But I digress, back to the day at hand. The round was rather lengthy which is usually the norm for those type of events. On the tee boxes of every hole were placards of the hole sponsors. I didn't pay much attention to the sponsors until one particular hole when we had a little bit of time before tee off. In addition to the sponsor placards, each hole had a placard (or several) dedicated to the memory of a fallen Marine in combat in Iraq. I tried to make a point of reading each name and remembering that behind each name was a life with a family back home who will never see their loved one again. I was humbled by their service and sacrifice to this country.
This is just a reminder to those that sometimes forget that there are those that walk the line of freedom in this country and around the world. They put their lives on the line so that we may enjoy the benefits, freedoms and opportunities that this country affords us. Too often those lives have been politicized and or forgotten too soon.
As we prepare to elect a new leader for this country and move in a new direction, I say that perhaps we should look to the past. John F. Kennedy asked us "to ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country." I believe that sometime during the past 45 years, that idea has been lost by a majority of people here. It seems that idea is now more about what can my country give me without me doing anything to earn it. I thank God that it has not been lost by those who stand that line of freedom each day and night.
Mickey Mouse and The Preacher Man
12 years ago
4 comments:
Bryan, my Dad (Chele's "Grampy") was career U S Army officer (Engineer Corp) who served in WWII and Korea, so I have particularly strong feelings about our armed forces. Your blog is a wonderful tribute to our men and women in service to their country.
Thanks for taking the time to do this.
Wow Bryan, this is a great post. You are so right, that unfortunately those giving their lives to keep us free are forgotten or looked over.
Wonderful post.
Great job, Bryan. You've "bulls-eyed" on what's really important in our country. Forget the election....mostly as the song goes, they've "sent in the clowns". The true value of America is found in our attitudes toward country, and our willingness to defend her. Leaders come and go but reality, pride, and patriotism remain steadfast. Thanks again for the post. It should be required reading in every high school in America.
Good job,
Jack
Amen! I was so pleased to read that it was a Toys For Tots fundraiser! Since the kids were 13and 14 we have been Toys For Tots volunteers every December. We have already altered our lessons in preparation for this years stent.
We work hard and we work beside the most amazing men and women. Most of the volunteers are 50+ years old and retired Marines and their families.
It's like a living breathing civics lesson and it makes you so proud to know these people and be allowed to work beside them.
Last year was the first year we actually helped soldiers families and I can't tell you how much this upset and angered Derek and Jake. Most of the soldiers were National Guard members who had been called up and sent over to Iraq for so long that they lost their main income and in some cases their jobs. It just isn't right that those that give so much should get so little and have to rely on charity.
We have adopted soldiers and troops over the past few years as well. The letters from them have been inspiring and makes you understand why they do what they do. It also makes you understand how incredibly biased and powerful the media is. Very little of the good that is being accomplished over there is ever reported.
Thank you for taking the time to acknowledge these special men and women and all they do so that we can have the freedoms that we do. Without them we would be nowhere!
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