Independence!
by Cynthia E.  Jones

July, 2004

How does it get here?  How do we use it?

It was never my intent to turn this space into an editorial.  Although I admit the difficulty I do have writing and not stating my opinion.  Sometimes I guess I lean on my own emotions to begin something.  It has also been important for me to write literary likes for every reader. NetNacs! is read by those all over the world, and I try very hard to open LitKorner! up for all, and not only focus on one interest group.   With that being said, please forgive me as I have felt compelled to write with maybe a little too much emotion this time.

My Country is in turmoil really.  We all are confused and sad by our every day's events.  The news is filled with tragedy both at home and abroad.  How can any of us do anything to make a significant change, to feel happy and glad to celebrate at any kind of celebration?  I have been asking myself this question in a very much more serious mode for a few years now, since I witnessed the falling of the Twin Towers and that horrific day.  I try with all my might to put it into God's hands and live my normal everyday life.  It has been an impossible task though; nothing is, nor ever will be normal again.

Then something touches me, maybe it's an angel, a spirit of a loved one or maybe even God him self, but something much more powerful then I, simply touches me, reminding me of great things.  Tears will fall and I will ask my self how can I ever not write with the emotion that has been laid upon me?  How can I go without giving some words of praise, offering a little space to that which needs to be uplifted  This time my heart is filled with patriotism and especially so with being the wife of a sailor. 

My husband is a career recruiter for the U.S. Navy, his rate is that of a Navy Counselor (NC).  When he joined the Navy he became a Hull Tech (HT) and served on several ships before switching rates.  I personally know how it feels to be separated from your loved one, how their life is put into harms way for the good of all.  His dedication to his job and Country have astounded me in our years of marriage.  He remains dedicated even through times of trouble and strife, he puts politics aside and pays no mind to crude insults of fellow Americans. He simply does what he swore he would and does it with all of his heart.

It would be a lie if I said I have served equally the same as a Military Wife. No, I have both questioned my government at times as I have my husband's job.  He reminds me all the time that each one of us has a job to do and it all comes together.  He often times uses the explanation of a ship with all the crew having assigned duties. Some duties seem less relevant then others but without one, the ship simply will not motivate.  Our Country in essence is the very same, we need everyone, all kinds and all views to motivate.

My tears will continue to fall for our young people, their loss of youth and innocence... their loss of life.  Sometimes it is simply impossible for me to justify any of it, but I will do my part just the same, to be a hopeful citizen and live my life in the best way I can, thankful for it and my freedoms.  I will remain thankful to those who have given this to me and thankful to God. As we suffer these trials and tribulations together as a nation, as a world, may we take solace and reverence in remembering those in harms way, and try to recall the good that prevails. Between words, arguments and all of the political correctness,  let us find the strength to support one another, our families, the troops of the United States and the world.

Before closing, I would like to invite you to USA Patriotism!.  There are far too many outstanding and inspirational pieces for me to mention here, and all are dedicated to patriotism, some based on real experiences.  I have listed a few for your reading and encourage you to read more listed there. It is a great place to visit, and maybe we can bow our heads together in remembrance and prayer for everyone.

• A Few Inspirations of Patriotism:

• AMERICA by Lonnie T. Moon III
• United We Stand by Clifford Ferguson
• I Pray For America by R. Anne Shiever
• Grandpa's Admonition by Denny Lancaster
• America Always There by David G. Bancroft
• Red, White and Blue by Cynthia E. Jones

We are a nation that lives free, as is the world really, for each of us are free. 
We are free to lay our burdens down and rise again with a new found Independence.