Today

I really don't have anything witty to say today. It's been 8 years since the terrorist attacks on our homeland. Nothing is really resolved. Our freedom still stands even if sometimes we think it's on shaky ground. Since that day I have noted several things that bear mentioning:

1. President Bush led us well during the days and weeks after 9/11. However, he ended up one of the most despised of all American Presidents. Lowest approval rating. It just illustrates the volatile relationship we have with our leaders. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.
2. Our economy really sits in the toilet. Of course, we are on a rebound which is just part of a natural economic cycle but nobody seems to want to point that out.
3. We elected our first African American President. To me this is forward progress and inspiring. To others, not so much.
4. We are still in Afghanistan which people forget is where 9/11 all started. It had absolutely nothing to do with Iraq and Saddam Hussein. That's pretty much the reason GW ended up in the ratings toilet.

Speaking of Afghanistan, my heart is heavy today. Although I did not know the young man personally, I know his little sister well and think a whole lot of her. His name is Tyler Parten. He was 24 years old, a graduate of West Point, a speaker of Arabic, a Platoon Leader in the US Army serving in Afghanistan. He died yesterday protecting our freedom. My heart goes out to his family, his friends, and the entire Marianna/Aubrey/Moro area. It is always difficult to lose a soldier but none hits harder than ones you know personally. It really brings it home. Right to your front door where we don't like to always think about the things our young men and women choose to do in the military for our country. They are a breed apart and deserve absolutely nothing less than our undying gratefulness. Please pray for the Parten family.

I will end here. Remember who we are, where we come from, and what we stand for. We are free even if it doesn't feel like it all the time. God Bless the USA. Later blog readers.