I'M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

I have refrained from blogging for a while because my thoughts have been turned to more important things than my struggles, tests, and cancer.  I have stated before that my blog was about my Journey as I go through life battling cancer and keeping things in a positive light...however despite my struggles, my journey continues.  I have been impacted by something far important than my difficulties.  This week I learned that being a mom, a cancer patient, a wife, a teacher etc. all became insignificant and first and foremost I am a PROUD AMERICAN!     

On Friday August 5, 2011, Sgt. Daniel Gurr, USMC was killed in Afghanistan.  It seems that my entire hometowns heart was broken and everyone reached out to offer love, support, and their deepest sympathy to his family.  I may have met Daniel when he was in my moms pre-school, but other than that never really crossed his path maybe briefly at a family funeral.  My grandmother was the oldest of the Gurr children whose family settled this valley.  Daniel's mother was my EMT instructor and his Great Grandfather Earl was my Grandmothers younger brother.  I adore his Great Grandmother and was able to visit with her this past week.  It seems as time goes by and families grow, 2nd and 3rd cousins get lost in the mix of life. Even though I may not have known Daniel, HIS ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten!

I used this situation to turn something so tragic into a very valuable teaching experience for my children.  My youngest son has always been in awe of anything military, soldiers to be specific.  My father was drafted in the Vietnam war, the man who raised me as his own served in the Navy and his father in the Merchant Marines in WWII.  My children also have a grandfather who served in WWII.  They are always asking their grandmother for memorabilia from their grandfather.  My earliest memory of what a soldier is, was when I was three years old.  I remember people in uniforms with guns as I stood along side my fathers grave at his burial.  I remember being frightened by the 21 gun salute.  I did not understand the magnitude of this and what an amazing honor this was! 

Now that I am an adult, I get teary eyed every memorial day when I see the flag decorating my Dad's grave.  I buy poppies when VFW sells them at memorial day and I tell my children the story of the poppy.  My husband says his only one regret was that he never served in the military.  I choke up every time I would hear my children sing "I'm proud to be an American" in their school choir.  My boys are scouts and place flags every holiday throughout our neighborhood and have an American flag adorned on their Scout uniforms.  Recently, my 2 youngest chose to write letters to a young man serving in Afghanistan.  I have had the honor of becoming friends with his mother, and each and every day I pray for him and our military. My middle son has decided to make care packages to send to our brave soldiers as his Eagle Scout project.  I hope to be raising my children with the love and respect for this great country I have come to know!  Most importantly, I want them to honor those who serve, have served, and are our fallen heros!

Photo Courtesy of AP

Each time I hear of a fallen soldier, my heart drops.  How saddened I am for their family and how honored and humbled I am for their ultimate sacrifice.  This past week, the first casualty since Vietnam has impacted and effected the town where I was raised and am now raising my family.  As information became available of Daniel's final arrival home, web pages, blogs, videos, photos, popped up everywhere.  Information spread like wildfire.  An entire town came together.  Firemen organized the display flags at the airport, scouts, friends, neighbors and strangers came together to display flags, ribbons and decor throughout this entire town.  Thousands of flags lined the streets, adorned the lawn of the church where the funeral was to be held, and marked the route that this great hero would travel one last time.  My children offered to help and made plans of what they wanted to do to help.  As we lined the route of the procession, my children stood silently in their scout uniforms.  They saluted the entire procession and my youngest son, when realizing a van of Marines saluted him, whispered "Mom, I'm going to be a Marine."  My heart fell as the car carrying my dear great-aunt passed in front of me where she solemnly waved at me.  How saddened I am for Daniel's friends, Marine Family, and his dear family at the loss of a son, brother, cousin, and, grandson.

My children have learned many valuable lessons this week.  Invaluable lessons in Honor, Respect, Sacrifice, Courage, Selflessness, and Service.  I have met people and made friends that I would not have ordinarily met.  First and foremost I am proud of this great county and am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be able to live in this great land.  I am honored to be a prouduct of veterans and I am humbled to know that right now thousands of men and women are living in difficult circumstances, foregoing time with their own families, and putting their lives on the line for the liberty and freedoms I enjoy.

photo taken from the AP from the Gurr Family

Godspeed Sgt. Daniel Gurr!  I am eternally grateful for your sacrifice to ensure the freedoms that your Great-Great Grandparents came to America for!

Flags lining 500 East

Flags displayed at the Vernal Cemetery

Displaying flags at sunrise with black ribbons to signify a fallen one.