Christmas at Arlington National Cemetery

Our brave men and women buried at Arlington National Cemetery deserve this country's greatest thanks. Worcester Wreath Company's owner Morrill Worcester deserves this country's greatest thanks and warmest regards for the greater than 5,000 wreaths donated to grace the headstones of the fallen.

Here are the words, straight from Mr. Morrill Worcester himself:

"We couldn't do anything in this country if it wasn't for the people who gave their lives to protect us. It's a great honor to be able to come here and pay our respects."

This photo, and the volunteers who made it possible -- past and present -- brings the sacrifices made by everyone in the United States Military to the fore.

[U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi]

TSgt. Lisa Rodier has volunteered to help place wreaths to honor those that have gone before us. Hearing her describe her emotions and the fact that,

"You get a feeling you can't get from anything else"

What she said that struck me the most, and says it like it is,

"These people sacrificed their lives for me and my children, so why can't I sacrifice a little time for them?"

We shall never forget. We shall leave no one behind. We shall support to the end. We shall honor and protect the Constitution of the United States of America. We shall defend this nation from its enemies, foreign and domestic. We shall fight to end tyranny and oppression. We shall not waiver. We stand and fight. We stand together. We stand strong.

[U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi]

God bless the United States of America.

God Bless the President of the United States.

God Bless the

GREATEST VOLUNTEER FIGHTING FORCE
THIS WORLD HAS EVER SEEN!

UPDATE - December 22nd, 2005 [11:29a]

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Thanks, big time, to Kit and her Beloved Marine for catching a HUGE oops in my post above. I was typing so fast I criss-crossed a statement and left out some very important words. I have changed a few sentences - please forgive my previous "gimbal lock" situation. :)

I want to thank the following folks for linking back to my little slice of the blogosphere:

Kit @ Euphoric Reality
Folks @ Freedom Folks
Bigshoulders @ Toungue-tied Lightning
SwiftVets @ SwiftVets and POWs for Truth

I thank you all very much for sharing your readers with me. I am sure that you all feel, as do I, that this is a very important and poignant photo. The U.S. Air Force has been kind enough to share it, and it is good that we all recognize the efforts of one man to draw other volunteers to honor our fallen brothers.

The story of sacrifice that everyone at rest in Arlington National Cemetery speaks volumes - for the World! There are many militaries in this world. A very small handful do what they do for others. An even smaller number have volunteers fighting the fight.

Our volunteers, the United States Military, jump into any fight because they know some day the fight may come home. And we will not rest until those that:

• Want to hurt us
• Hurt our families
• Threaten our way of life
• Destroy the strength and power of the AMERICAN SPIRIT

are vanquished and sent packing!

Remember, do not waken the sleeping giant. You just don't know what you'll be dealing with - but we do.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone.

God Bless.


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