Memorial Day 2023 - Part 2 (Updated from 5/21/2014)

There are those among us that have no concept of self-sacrifice, especially when it comes to liberty and freedom.  God is disappearing from the dialogue of most young people, and their country is awash in debt, illegal aliens, and crime. Those that can, suck from the public teat as though it was their God-given right to do so, yet they give nothing to deserve it.  This is the society we now live in; a society of whiners and complainers that berate the very country that gives them freedom while they shy away from their responsibility to fight and, possibly, die for that freedom, when required.

This lack of respect and patriotism is painfully evident when certain "religious" groups disgrace themselves, and their country, by interrupting the solemn funeral services of those that would gladly die for this same disgraceful group's very right to treat these dead with such disrespect.  This makes as much sense to me as yelling, "The Indians are attacking!  Shoot the soldiers!"

The fault for this lack of respect lies in us.  We assumed our young people would just naturally soak in the patriotism we want them to learn.  How do you learn what you haven't experienced?  How do you cherish freedom you didn't earn?  How do you teach a loss of freedom to those that have never had it threatened?

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." 

-- Thomas Jefferson

Whether you agree with a strong, robust military or not, it is what guarantees your freedom to not agree.  Do not target the soldier for your discontent with the political, economic, or social problems in this country.  These brave men and women do a thankless job that the elected government has assigned them to do, and for the very same thankless voters that cannot begin to understand what their vote meant.  My hope for them is that they never find themselves in a position of needing these fine people when a President tells our brave soldiers to "stand down" when there are Americans at risk.  It would serve them right to be left out to hang like the poor souls in Benghazi were, by a gutless, cowardly administration, but I do hope they never find themselves in a similar position.

This Memorial Day I will celebrate the brave men and women of our military services and our first responders, past and present.  I will also remind everyone that these are not the only ones putting themselves in harm's way in the constant search for peace and understanding.  I will remind others to remember the U.S. Foreign Service; the consular and diplomatic services of our country.  They risk much in the service of security and peace.

God of all, we pray,

Keep in your heart all the brave men and women who voluntarily sacrifice, with little expectation of thanks, all they hold dear to protect and defend those that cannot defend themselves.

Bless all of those that have gone before, dying for the same proud and patriotic principles this country was founded on.  And forgive us for what we have asked of them, and continue to ask of those that come after, as they defend your children from themselves.

We ask that you give us the strength to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

We humbly ask all of this, not as Christian or Jew, Muslim or Buddhist, Pagan, atheist, or other faith.  We ask this as inhabitants of Earth, which in your wisdom you put in our care, forever hoping we will learn to govern it with love, peace, and enlightenment.

Amen.

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch - it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either view any more right or wrong than the other. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint.

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions offered. After over twenty years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience... and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier, and world-renowned, Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. 

Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As a weapon for his war on intolerance, he chose the pen. He wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony at: tolerantpastor@gmail.com