Thanking our Troops

This morning I kept our three kids out of school for a very important lesson: That of saying thank you to those who fight for and defend freedom.

Three hundred wounded warriors flew into Houston this morning to embark on a Warriors Weekend, an all-expenses-paid fishing weekend of R&R in Port O’Connor, Texas. Other service men and women arrived last night and even more arrived by bus later today.

We clapped, cheered and waved flags, and we also said “thank you” about a hundred times.

I wanted those brave service men and women to know that I appreciate all that they have already given up and continue to give up for the rest of us. I also wanted my kids to have the opportunity to say thank you, express their appreciation and also really see a bit of what those warriors have given up for us.

When I took my kids to school after lunch, my daughter’s pre-kindergarten teacher asked me to share what we had been doing that morning. I explained a bit about it and told her that some of the troops were pushed in wheelchairs.

“Why?” they asked.

“Because they got hurt in war defending freedom,” I said.

“They got shot!” One of the boys said excitedly.

And then he thought about that. And I think it sunk in just enough.

“Yes, they got shot by the bad guys. But they are fighting to stop those bad guys and keep them away from us,” I said.

Thanks to all of the military families out there, my brother and his family included, for your sacrifice. Thanks for all you do to keep those bad guys away. I love you and I pray for you. And I will clap and cheer for you along with my family every chance I get.

A note about the photos:

No, those aren’t my children holding that adorable sign. I just loved their signs and wanted to share them with you.

And why I only have a photo of the troops’ backs: Yes, I wanted to snap a picture of the men and women who walked by, limped by and were pushed by in wheelchairs as they fought back tears. But then I thought how I might feel if I came across a photo of me on the internet had I been in a similar situation. Then I thought about how stopping to take a picture meant I would have to clap less and say “Thank you” less. So I decided to wai  until the group passed us by and snap a shot of mood then. I hope you don’t mind.