Time to Stand

27 April 2007

   I've often fought the urge to extend myself to open debate upon the internet. The argument I have with myself (in my mind only, no visible entities or voices, yet) is that I will reveal my ignorance and lack of wisdom. However the more I mature (in age, not necessarily in actions) I find myself questioning my cowardice, not of fear of physical or emotional harm, but that I would embarrass my friends and family. I now realize it is too late for that. My daughter quite often quotes me her favorite line "dad, please don't embarrass me.” Yet as each day passed, I came to the conclusion that I was just making an excuse. Now, I had to come to grips with the fact, that I was doing just what I had always told my troops not to do, which is make an excuse. I always told them, no excuses, just accountability. So I have decided to be accountable. As Dr. Adams (who has been one of the voices that rebuke me) has quoted often, and as I hear more and more, the quote of Edmund Burke “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”, I can no longer sit in my hypocrisy. Well at least not on this issue, I preach fitness, but love a good slice of pizza. …I digress. So I will begin a voice, maybe not powerful, maybe not even read, yet, I can then be clear of conscience, to know I did not turn my back and cower. I speak first to those that continue to cower away from their fear of confronting evil. Lawmakers in the protected halls of our country who have turned their back, and in my opinion, committed treason, as they empower the enemy, who wish to destroy all that I have grown to love. They tell my fine son, and his fellow marines, they have lost a war. They need to talk to my son and his buddies as I have. Talk to these brave young men and women who have looked upon the face of people that have been provided freedom to live from tyranny. These lawmakers who refuse to walk where my son and others tread, risking their lives, so that these lawmakers can “freely” degrade and demoralize the most courageous young people I know. My son comes from a family legacy of men who have served this nation. But his priori of thought did not come because I drilled it into his brain. He came to it on his own, as he watched and remembered those that died in 9/11. He came to it as he served on the battlefield and saw the look of freedom in the eyes of women and children. He came to it as he and others fought back their own fears and risk their lives that other may know freedom. The very freedom, that these cowering lawmakers and their friends (the terrorist they seek to appease), wish to take from me, this nation and this world that we live. They wish to give into terrorists that feed on fear, and have no conscience as to who they hurt, maim, kill or destroy. Although I come from a lineage of military, none of us would chose war. I believe in diplomacy. In the book of Jude it says “Of some with compassion making the difference, of other with fear pulling them out of the fire.” I believe in compassion, in trying to reach out in love and understanding. But I also believe there is a time to stand and say “you will not hurt those I love”. That time is now. We have tried every conceivable way to reach those that wish to harm this nation. They have refused to listen and have now attacked us. We must rise up and confront the evil. They must face the fear and consequences of their actions. Running away will not bring change. It brings empowerment to the evil. I did that as a young man once. I ran from my fear. Once I found the courage to stand up to that fear, I found that the bully was tamed.

This country once had statesman, those noble men that would judge a man for his character, and would even side with his opponent if it was good for the country. Today we have men and women whose word you cannot even trust. They do not come close to being a “statesman” . Even if the president is right on an issue they won’t voice that. They are worried about their political careers instead of what is good for the country. What is good for the country is the character of the young men and women of the armed forces who continue to fight, sacrifice and die, while lawmakers sit in their protected glass houses and aid our enemy by their political and hateful rhetoric.

Again, I am just a simple mind, who has not stood in the great halls of academia, and I don’t have leather parchments adorning my wall, but it doesn’t take a scholar to understand the difference between right and wrong. Not standing up to evil is wrong. Being silent when I have a voice is wrong. Cowering or running away from my fear is wrong. Letting political leaders denounce the effort of young warriors, and remaining silent is wrong.

As I said, I come from a legacy of military service. I am proud of that legacy. I am proud that my grandfather, father and my son were willing to give the ultimate sacrifice to stand for right. I was reminded of that as I stood and watched my father being laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. As the guard folded “the colors”, my fathers’ burial flag, I thought of my grandfather whose grave was just two blocks down. I looked at my son who stood behind me, and wondered of the day he would repeat this same process with me. I wrote the words to a song just moments later. They are included below. I thank my GOD that we still have patriots, that we still have those willing to make a stand against evil. This legacy is passed from generation to generation. As long as that legacy continues we will live free. If it is replaced and snuffed out by lawmakers who cower to the terrorist we will cease to be free. In the Old Testament, as another political leader (Haman) tried to destroy a people, Mordecai told Esther that God had placed her in a position to help “for such a time as this”, and that they needed her help or the people would perish. We have also been put in a position “for such a time as this” to stand against evil. So, today I take my stand. I pray you stand with me. It’s time for good men and women to do something, to say something, to stand for something, to give a message to those, that seek to destroy this great nation, that we will not be quiet. Our voice will be heard. “For such a time as this” it’s time we give all we have.

COLORS FLY

He’s standing there beside the grave,
His heart like dads’ is so brave
And as the tears flow from his eyes
He looks and sees the “colors” fly

They wave in quiet solitude
The stars amidst, red, white and blue
They’ve stood the test and fly with pride
They represent all those who have died
And when the warrior is laid to rest
They lay upon the “sacred chest”

His son is grown, and takes his place
He prays each day for special grace
Dads’ legacy placed upon his heart
He proudly fights as the “colors” fly

They wave in quiet solitude
The stars amidst, red, white and blue
They’ve stood the test and fly with pride
They represent all those who have died
And when the warrior is laid to rest
They lay upon the “sacred chest”

His son now stands beside his grave
His heart like dads’ is so brave
And as the tears flow from his eyes
He looks and sees the colors fly
He sees them fly
He sees them fly