What does a veteran mean to me? By, Grace (11)

As the proud daughter of a U.S. Marine, my love of our country is part of my genetic makeup. When my daughter Grace brought home her essay from school: "What Does A Veteran Mean To Me?" my heart melted.

I thought Memorial Day weekend would be the perfect time to share her words with you below.

What does a veteran mean to me? It means someone who loves their country enough they go away from their family, their home,
and their loved ones.

Someone who risks their life for you and me. Someone who goes halfway around the world to fight for your mom, your dad, your brothers and sisters, grandma and grandpa,
your friends and teachers,
and even your enemies.

Someone that loves. That is what a veteran means to me. Love

By, Grace Kraft

Memorial Day is an important day for all Americans. It's the day we stop and take a moment amidst our picnics and family barbecues, to breathe a prayer of thanks for all who are serving in our military.


So, from our family to all who are serving, all who have sons and daughters, fathers and mothers in the armed forces, we say thank you from the bottom of our grateful American hearts.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Psalm 33:12




For those of you in the mood for patriotic posts, click on the links below. Make sure to have your kleenex handy.

Greater Love.

Take a moment to remember and say a prayer.

Happy 4th of July From Our Family to Yours!

“The real democratic idea is, not that every man shall be on a level with every other, but that every one shall have liberty, without hindrance, to be what God made him” Henry Ward Beecher


Wishing you all a day filled with barbecued hot dogs, homemade ice cream and fireworks! This picture is one of my favorites of my kids when they were little.

Praying for our country today in a spirit of gratefulness and thankfulness. And sending up special prayers for those who are celebrating on foreign soil. Being an American is a blessed gift I did NOTHING to deserve. Just another reason to appreciate God's gift of grace in my life.

Remember friends, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." Psalm 33:12

Take a Moment to Remember and Say a Prayer

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” Psalm 33:12

As a teenager, waking up first to get in the shower was important. I had to beat my two sisters because I needed as much time as I could to get that "big 80's hair". Each morning when I would shuffle to the bathroom half asleep, I would see my father sitting at our kitchen table.

In the early morning silence, he would be reading his Bible while finishing his cup of coffee. With my eyes half open, I would kiss him good-bye. Lunch pail in hand, my Dad would walk out the front door, hang his American flag and head off to work. Day in and day out, this was his routine.

Each and every morning, my father flew that flag.

One gloomy winter day, as my father was hanging his flag, our neighbor Sid came over. Marching across the street with purpose, he held a small booklet titled Flag Rules and Regulations firmly in hand. Sid made sure to give my Dad an earful when he saw in this steady drizzle, Dad had not taken down our American flag.

“George.” He said, pointing at his booklet. “According to these rules here, you aren’t supposed to be flying the American flag in the rain.” Without a pause in the conversation, my father politely replied. “Sid, I fought for that flag in the rain, so I am going to fly that flag in the rain.”

Friends, today is Memorial Day. A day to remember those currently serving, and many who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Go up to a Veteran and say, “Thank You.” Better yet, teach your children to walk up to someone in uniform and say , “Thank You.”

Take a moment to offer up a prayer for all of the men and women who have fought in the rain for you.

Where were you September 11, 2001?

Only minutes before, my husband had left for his men’s bible study at the local coffee shop. I had just gotten out of the shower and could hear the phone ringing as I wrapped the towel around my head. “Who could be calling me this early?” I thought to myself. My heart began to beat a little bit faster as I ran to get it before it woke up the baby. Early phone calls like this unnerved me. It was my sister Jennifer. She sounded anxious, “Joanne, turn on your television.” “You know I can’t.” I said walking back into my bedroom. The only station we could get was a fuzzy Spanish station. A few months back, my husband had been preparing to take the Bar exam and after my begging him to help me move around furniture, I had agreed to be fine without a television. “A plane has just hit one of the twin towers in New York.” “They are saying that the plane may have been hijacked from Boston.” I found myself sitting now on the edge of our bed. “Are you sure they said Boston, Jennifer?” I calmly asked, my voice never betraying my thoughts. “Do you know what flight Carrie was taking home this morning from Boston?” I asked.

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Where were you on September 11, 2001? This is the question our generation will forever have an answer for. I have not been as affected by the anniversary of this sad event like I am today. Maybe because it is a Tuesday like the same day it originally occurred. Maybe because I now know much more of the heartache from watching stories of survivors and the family members of the deceased tell their tales. On that fateful day, our friends who had planned to leave Boston early in the morning had a last minute change of plans. A ticket agent had suggested they leave from Providence, Rhode Island instead. Saying we were relieved is an understatement.

The events of 9/11 are hard for us to understand. We just can’t see the good that comes from it. Take a moment today to hug your kids, cuddle with your spouse, call your parents just to tell them you love them. Thank God for your life and for the time he has given you. It is a gift. There is some good that can come out of this.