As we approach Veterans Day, I am reminded of an incident prior to my youngest son's first deployment to Iraq in 2004-2005. Perhaps it happened because as a career soldier's wife and mother I seem to have an automatic return button when it comes to remembering those who keep us out of harm's way.

The incident was simple at first. My early morning sleep was interrupted—not by the sound of my husband's snoring, but by churning thoughts of our soldiers who have already given the "last full measure of devotion" in this present war. My mind and heart were fretful over the great cost of their sacrifice to their families. The tomorrows of their children and loved ones summoned me from the comfort of my bed to prayer.

Following prayer, as I climbed back in bed and attempted to go back to sleep, more thoughts, like gulps of hot, fiery air not only interrupted but erupted into words and sentences that seemed to be crying out from beyond. I grabbed a pen and pad from the nightstand, slipped into the study, turned on the light and wrote down the words that came to my heart...

Do not forget me ... next week, next month, or next year. I was part of something so significant that, despite destruction, will ultimately build. Freedom that costs this much cannot help but promote great progress.

Honor me by remembering that when called, I did not hesitate to leave the comfort and ease of my life in America. I left my loved ones there to go to help free tyrannized families in a land too distant for me to imagine just a short time ago.

Remember that daily I swallowed not only the sand that blew in my face, but the fear that constantly rested just below the surface and rose in my throat with the unknown of each battle. Still, I did what I was trained to do, swallowed that fear and chose courage.

Carry on for me by passing on the good I stood for. Actively participate in strengthening good wherever possible. By doing that, you will lessen the effects of evil in this world.

Keep doing good even when criticized or unpopular. Opinions change as fast as remote buttons ... good does not.

Think before you speak and check your motives before criticizing. Wisdom is more important than knowledge.

Prefer love to hatred no matter how hard it is to do.

Celebrate our freedoms robustly. Sing our country's anthem out loud when the flag is flown at ceremonies and ball games.

Show my children what the phrase "land of the free" means. Tell them that in this war we were compassionate liberators, not bragging conquerors.

Teach these simple truths to my children:
Tyranny dictates
Evil eradicates
Opinions speculate
Truth liberates
And love ... never fails!

Lastly, understand my sacrifice by doing something very special ... by example, show my children how to be better Americans.

Copyright © by Sharon L. Patterson Share