Pep Talk: Character Counts

Recently I had the pleasure of attending a community event in Denver honoring many in the Mile High City who have dedicated their lives to community service. During the invocation, one of the two who shared duties in leading the huge crowd in prayer, invoked the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., and his infamous, "Let us not judge one another for the color of our skin but for the content of our character."
Those powerful words seem fitting on Memorial Day 2016. May we never forget the sacrifices of those who lost their lives for the American way. The words of poet Jim Pemberton sum it up well:
We salute every soldier who’s served this great nation.And offer a heart of thanks and appreciation!
We salute each member of our armed forces.And are thankful for their efforts and resources!
We salute the many who protect our borders too.We’d be in trouble…  If not for people like YOU!
We salute every son and daughter lost in a war.YOU are what serving this country is meant for!
We salute the officers who’ve guided our women and men.Our prayers are with you!  And our love from within!
We salute our veterans!  Wherever they may be!Those who served on land, air and sea!
Offering prayer to the Lord is our belief…That he will guide our Commander-in-Chief!
As we observe Memorial Day this year…Let’s offer our soldiers love, hope and cheer!
May God bless them in all they endeavorAnd his peace be with them today and forever!!
Let's not waste another life on the battlefield. In memory of those who die for our freedoms, let's always make character count!