Celebrating Our Freedom
Tuesday, July 7, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
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Summer is a time of freedom for most of us. Freedom from school schedules, freedom to enjoy hot weather activities, freedom to celebrate 4th of July. Summer freedom brings us to back to favorite childhood activities…picnics, vacations, playing until dark, catching fireflies, the beach, family vacations.
This year our summer freedom feels a little different for our family. As the mother of four children, having two of our four gone for the whole summer is an adjustment for all of us.
Because this summer…our twin daughters who turned 18 in June made a huge choice to not just celebrate our freedom, but also to defend our freedom in this country.
They are becoming Soldiers.
Lizzie with Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Abbott at her swearing in.
Rachel with Lieutenant Colonel Raquel Durden at her swearing in.
My girls are spending their entire summer in Basic Combat Training in the Army National Guard. They left for boot camp just 4 days after their high school graduation.
We are overwhelmed with pride and amazed at their courage to do this.
In a society where our teenagers are more self-absorbed than I ever remember being (though it might just be old age and I’ve forgotten), it’s really a testimony to their character. They are cut off from the internet, Facebook, texting and all the conveniences and luxuries that teens take for granted, mostly because these things have been present and available for all of their lives.
I’m writing our girls almost every day. Mail is their lifeline. They are getting mail from family, friends and even strangers who send their love and support. When they have been able to make a phone call, I hear their gratefulness for every single piece of mail they have received.
Did you know that less than 1% of our country serves in the military?
Maybe you don’t know a Soldier personally – one very meaningful and personal way you can reach out and support our troops is to adopt a Soldier.
There are so many Soldiers who need to be adopted. Here are three non-profit organizations* that make it easy for you to reach out:
The non-profit organization Soldiers’ Angels was founded by a mom of two American Soldiers. I love their motto “May No Soldier Go Unloved.”
Here’s a portion of a letter on their website from a grateful Soldier:
…It’s not the “things” that are sent that matter to us, it’s the thought. That’s the power ALL of you have who take the time to send things. You can change the worst day into the best day, in a split second.
- MP in Iraq
One person can make a difference. Think about how you can make a difference in the life of a Soldier today!
If you have a child or a spouse who is in the military, I bow to you. While I have many other family members in the military both past and present – it is very hard to describe this journey as a mom of two daughters becoming Soldiers.
Please feel free to share your experience or words of encouragement by leaving a comment below or using our Contact button. I’d love to hear from you and appreciate all the support and prayers and extend the same to every military service person in our country!
P.S. If you’d like to read more about my girls’ journey here are a few personal blog posts:
- Etiquette tips when you learn someone has enlisted
- The story of their decision
- How they spent their 18th birthday
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Stephanie Reed » Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 6:07 am