It's been one year ~

One year ago today a man who brought pain to not just our nation, but the world as a whole left this earth. On a personal level I am a supporter of peace over violence and war on any day. It's an idea talked about greatly in Powerful Peace. However, Usama Bin Laden was someone who quite frankly just couldn't be reasoned with by any civilized means. He was a terrorist in every sense of the word. A diabolical entity who used his religion as a shield for his actions. All the while getting others to do his evil bidding. Today, I ask you all to not just be thankful that having him gone removes at least some of our worry in the global war on terror. I also ask you to say thank you to our United States Navy SEALs and ALL of our Armed Forces who helped rid the world of at least one of our threats. The removal of Bin Laden from this earth was a joint effort which stretched far between all branches of our military, as well as the invaluable assistance of our allies. Most importantly though, I ask you all to please take a moment to keep those who were affected by Bin Laden's reign of terror in your thoughts. Those who were lost and those who were left behind should never be forgotten.

God Bless those who have been touched by the unspeakable tragedies of the global war on terror. May our future hold only peace, compassion and a greater sense of humanity.

Milestones

On this day, Friday, September 2, 2011 Honor Them reached some milestones that make me very proud. Not just of the work I’ve put into honoring our troops and veterans, but of all of the amazing patriots who have helped me to spread my message. On my twitter account today I surpassed 3 thousand followers. On my Facebook page I surpassed 5 thousand ‘Likes’ and now I’ve reached my 20,000^th tweet.

On June 30, 2010 I began my quest and mission to support our troops and veterans with hopes that I would get some people to listen and perhaps share my devotion to our United States Military. I’ve been overwhelmed with the number of people who have not only assisted me, but with how many amazing patriots out there share my commitment to making sure out troops and veterans are given the respect and gratitude they’ve earned and DESERVE.

It’s been just over 14 months since I began and some days were easier than others but at the end of every night I knew just how important it was and it is for that reason that I continue on.  We’ve been at war for close to 10 years now and in that time we’ve lost thousands of courageous, brave and valiant troops in the Global War on Terror.  While the loss of life during the war on terror has been tremendous and our focus has been there, we should not disregard the countless other lives lost. Our country has been at a state of war since its inception with countless lives lost in her defense.

Our military has changed in many ways throughout the years as new generations of men and women volunteer their time and so much of themselves to defend our country and its people, but one thing has remained constant. That is their unwavering loyalty to their duty to protect us all from harm, sheltering the American people and in many cases the world from harm. Duty does not fade in the eyes of our troops. It is ingrained within, a steadfast and unyielding way of life which continues on even after they’ve moved on to civilian life.

We should never forget that we haven’t been under draft for decades.  The troops serving our country so selflessly are doing so because they’ve chosen to do so.  There is not endless wealth at their fingertips.  They are not living in luxury due to their chosen profession.  Instead, they are eating MRE’s and dealing with unbearable temperature changes while lugging around anywhere from 60 to 150 lbs of equipment on their body.  Our military only accounts for 1% of our population. That is a very small number and proves just how special a breed of person it takes to be willing to risk everything for others.

I dedicate the milestones I reached today to our United States Military of past, present and future. Nothing I do would be possible without the sacrifices made by all of you. To our POW/MIA troops, you are Not Forgotten and you NEVER will be. Always you will be remembered for the price you’ve paid in protection of all of us. And to those heroes who have fallen, I take a knee and bow my head in anguish over the price you’ve paid.  There are no words which can properly convey the debt which we owe you. I vow to do my part to make sure your families and brothers/sisters of arms will be taken care of. 

With respect, gratitude and unrelenting support ~ Amanda

✩*¨*•✩Happy July 4th ✩*¨*•✩

On July 4, 1776 a group of amazing men got together and forged, not just a document and not just a country, but a way of life. Patriotism was born and along with that the greatest nation known to mankind. Sure I say that with a biased amount of pride, but I also believe it to be fact. While the committe to write the Declaration of Independence included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston and Thomas Jefferson, it was Jefferson who drafted it.

It truly amazes me at how brilliant Mr. Jefferson was with the words he chose, the things he had enough forethought to include.  So many rights, freedoms and liberties were given to us in that document. Such an amazing gift was bestowed upon us. We the people were blessed to have founding fathers who held such courage. Our independence from Britain was not an easy journey. It took bravery and courage. We owe so much to those men who fought so hard and who refused to give up the fight.

That warrior spirit has been passed on through the generations and grown stronger over the years in our armed forces.  Some of our allied countries might boast to you that they are the greatest, that their country has the most dedicated patriots.  No country has struggled, fought and overcome like ours has though.  We have seen many obstacles and united we were able to overcome, perservering and becoming stronger and more dominant with each test given to us.

While other countries may boast of their patriotism and their countries beauty I will not argue with them, but instead say with great pride, I am a citizen of the United States of America and no words can express how grateful I am for that incredible blessing.

So, to my fellow Americans I wish you all a Happy 4th of July. It is a joyous day and one meant for not just celebration, but for reflection.  Remember all we have to be thankful for, remember those brave men and women who have sacrificed so much so we could bask in the glory of what it means to live in the greatest nation in the world.  Honor them, never forget the price that has been paid by so many.  The lives lost should never be in vain.  The wounds suffered should never be forgotten. 

Happy Birthday, America

God Bless you and your patriots

Forever loyal,

Amanda