Something I take for granted is the fact that my life is a result of the service of others. And I don’t just mean the military. But because today is memorial day, I think and reflect on the friendships of I’ve made with those who have served.
My grandpa served in the military, he doesn’t talk about it too much, but one thing about my grandpa is that he is a very disciplined guy. He sticks to a routine and that’s is how he lives his life. One thing he always tells me, is that in the military you learn how to take a direct a order. There is none of that business about, “but this, or but that”, it’s strictly, “yes sir, no sir”. My grandpa is also a loyal man of God, he never forgets to pray for a meal or remind me of the necessity to be thankful. I love and respect my grandpa very much, and the fact he is as old as is he is and still around and kicking is a huge accomplishment for a human male.
I didn’t start elementary school until the 4th grade. Prior to that I was home schooled. Although I had my gripes with the public school system, one thing I am thankful for is the friendships I made as a result of attending public schools. One of those people I am grateful for is a guy by the name of Jens. He served in the navy after high school. While in service me and him would play StarCraft or play Contra Hard Corps via emulation using NetPlay. Any time I would bitch and moan about my civilian life he would be there to offer me advice or make fun of me for whining and complaining. Something about Jens is he never judged or would complain. He always had an optimistic view and outlook on life. And his generosity exceeded immeasurably.
My beaten and battered brain cannot remember exact or specific dates, but I think it was in my early to mid 20’s when I entered into a men’s recovery program in Texas. This was a brutal 6 month long program. Literally every hour of the day from sunup to sundown was spent working or studying. It was Christian based, and at the time I was very pessimistic as such my opinion of man reflected my opinion of God. What do I mean by this? well I weighed a greater interest in judging human conduct and as a result I lived my life as more of a Pharisee. Yes, this program was less about recovery and more about, “a means to an end”. All that aside I was able to meet many great guys, some of which kept in contact with me, but most if not all I’ve lost contact with now. I know for certain one lost his life. Anyways, during this program my main work detail was in the kitchen, and while they never trusted me to actually make any of the food (who can blame them? I am a terrible cook) I would help assist in any way necessary. Most of the work was in preparations and stocking. Like any well-oiled machine we had a system and it worked well. One person who made this assembly line work so well was a man by the name of Eric Tormos, he served in the Marine Corp. His love for God and his work ethic are attributes that I will never forget, and I am sad to have lost contact with him, but I am no doubt certain he is doing well and helping and serving his community.
There are many others who I’ve been blessed to know and share oxygen with. But one thing about military men and women is they let their actions shine greater than their opinions and words.
So as a token of my gratitude I dedicate this post to all service men and woman around the world who have served and currently serve. And I don’t just mean this in America, but I mean this around the whole world. And while hatred and sin are the fuel for the decline of progress, I am reminded of the love and grace of Christ who showers this mercy over all degradation, derision and dissension between humankind. Satan is a coward, a liar and a mass manipulator.
