Scrappy Conservatives

I could continue pouring the scorn and derision proper to Sentor John Kerry's remarks, but I think I could find many better things to call attention to that would have a positive effect. One of these is a program called America Supports You which was set up by the Department of Defense to help citizens to recognize the contribution of our military men and women. We all need to have a little more gratefulness for the work they do. You can go to this page to send a message of thanks at the very least. (I'm going to do it as soon as I'm finished here!)

Just a quick personal story: My family and I met a man who had come back from a tour in Afganistan back in August '06. We were invited by mutual friends to a small picnic to welcome him back since he was returning home by himself and not with a larger group which would get a bigger official welcome by the Army. He has a wife and family of 4 or 5 kids. As a father, I thought of his wonderful sacrifice; he couldn't even be present for the birth of his youngest child. He took off his beret and put it on my smiling 2-year-old who happens to love hats of all kinds. When I thanked him for his service he looked me right in the eye and said "I work for you." I didn't have anything to say to that; I was floored by his humility.

The spiritual writers who talk about how to acquire the virtues often point out that humility is best achieved indirectly by gratefulness, being grateful to God and to our parents and to all those who enrich our life in any way. Surely -- and especially now in a time of war -- we should remember those who fought and who are fighting and defending our country and be grateful to them. So thank you, Jonathan Carpenter, and all other soldiers and veterans. May we never forget your service, your bravery nor your sacrifice for America.