The Tears of a Grateful Nation

I'll never forget the letters from my husband Duane when he was in Viet Nam, telling me of some of his men who had been killed in battle...and crying for them, and with him.

I can't go to a Memorial Day Service and not be inspired by the stories of valor and courage told...without crying tears of awe.

I can't pass a military cemetary without the quiet pause that comes from remembering the realities of war and thinking about the sacrifice of so many to secure my freedom...without tears welling up in my eyes.

I am sure it is the same for you.

Memorial Day is the day a grateful nation remembers, pays tribute to and shed tears. As someone said, "On thy grave the rain shall fall from the eyes of a grateful nation."

While some may write tears off as emotionalism, most of us know that tears, real tears, come from a place deep inside as a response to something held, or lost, of great value.

As my mother-in-law used to say, "If you don't feel strong enough about something to cry about it, you don't feel strong enough about it."

Some of my tears today are for those who don't really understand what today is all about...who don't stop to pay tribute...who have never shed a tear of gratefulness for the cost of the freedom secured for them by our Founding Fathers and the men and women of our military through out the life of our nation. But I thank God for those who do understand that...

"Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for another." -John 15:13

My radio show today is a Memorial Day Special with Chaplain Dan Helix who works with homeless Vets in the San Francisco Bay Area. Tune in at 4:30 pm on KDIA, AM1640 or listen online in our Broadcast Archives at www.changingworldviews.com after the broadcast.

Sharon  Hughes is the Founder and President of The Center for Changing Worldviews and a radio talk show host on her flagship station KDIA 1640 in San Francisco, CA., and other stations across the nation. Her articles appear in many recognized online news sites and publications, including NewsBusters.org, a division of The Media Research Center, and she has appeared on FOX News and many national radio programs. She is also the Founder of Operation Heartlift supporting our Troops and their families, and Operation ARC, helping to rescue at-risk-children from slave and sex trafficking. For information visit her Website www.changingworldviews.com,  or Email her at sharon@changingworldviews.com