Heroes Are Born

[image error]

 

[image error]

Today, I am thankful for the men and women who have served, or are serving, our country in the armed forces. Courageous people like my father-in-law, Julio Luna, who is one of the remaining WWII veterans. This past weekend, I had the privilege of listening to him tell about the time his ship was torpedoed off the coast of Australia:

“When the torpedo hit, shrapnel flew through the air all around us. A piece hit me here (he shows us the scar on his arm) and a piece hit my knee. The ship went down and we swam towards shore until an Australian ship picked us up from the sea.”

Pop’s story had me riveted, and all I could think of was, we need to capture these stories while we still have him with us.

[image error]

Mom and Dad Luna celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with other veterans in the VFW Hall. Here is a photo of their family toasting them.

[image error]

I smiled a lot that evening, as I watched these precious people toast Mom and Dad and swirl around the dance floor.

Today, I’m also thankful for my precious father who served in the Korean War. Dad was also a navy man like Dad Luna. Yesterday, I spent the afternoon with my father and paid special attention to the passion for his faith and country that danced in his eyes like flames of fire.

[image error]

Today, I’m thinking about my stepson, Jason, who survived several explosions while serving in the army during the war in Iraq. Not all of Jason’s army buddies were as fortunate, and so I’m praying for Jason. I know he will be thinking about his deceased friends.

[image error]

Today, I’m thankful for my nephew, Jacob, who is currently serving in the US Air Force. He was deployed to the Middle East. I’ve seen the toll this separation has taken on him and his parents, my brother and sister-in-law.

[image error]

Today, I’m praying for all of the families who have lost loved ones in wars and for those who must endure the separation that occurs when family and friends serve in the armed forces.

 

Thank you! Today we remember you!

 

Share this: