Warmth on a Cold New Years Eve
Last night, my church, Stonecreek Christian Church, set up a mini-video production studio at our hometown New Years Eve event and let people record messages which we will send on DVDs to our troops overseas. For the shy, we provided postcards so they could write a personal message.
Even though it was a cold night that followed a couple of rain-drenched days, thousands turned out for the event, and hundreds taped messages. I got to serve as "director" for the night and was able to see everyone's moment on the air close up. It was the sort of touching event that makes you proud to be an American.
Like the woman who broke down in tears on her second word, collected herself, and told the troops about her son, who just shipped out to the Gulf with the Navy, and how all her prayers for him went to them, too.
Like the dozens of cute teenage girls who came in groups of two or three to record grateful, giggly and sometimes tearful messages that will remind our boys what they're fighting for.
Like the skateboarder who, despite his hip and cool airs, said, "I pray for you guys every day."
Like Carly, recovering from a severe brain injury, who limped to the chair and then used a voice she has just recently re-learned how to use, to give what was probably the most enthusiastic and loving tribute to our troops we heard all night.
And most of all, like the little girl who was too shy to go on camera, but wrote on her postcard, "Thank you for protecting us. I love you!" as her father looked proudly on.
Expressing the common theme for the night, let me too wish our troops a happy and safe New Years. Know that our prayers are with you, and that we want you home soon and safe. And, as one vet said, "Get the bad guys before they get you!"
Even though it was a cold night that followed a couple of rain-drenched days, thousands turned out for the event, and hundreds taped messages. I got to serve as "director" for the night and was able to see everyone's moment on the air close up. It was the sort of touching event that makes you proud to be an American.
Like the woman who broke down in tears on her second word, collected herself, and told the troops about her son, who just shipped out to the Gulf with the Navy, and how all her prayers for him went to them, too.
Like the dozens of cute teenage girls who came in groups of two or three to record grateful, giggly and sometimes tearful messages that will remind our boys what they're fighting for.
Like the skateboarder who, despite his hip and cool airs, said, "I pray for you guys every day."
Like Carly, recovering from a severe brain injury, who limped to the chair and then used a voice she has just recently re-learned how to use, to give what was probably the most enthusiastic and loving tribute to our troops we heard all night.
And most of all, like the little girl who was too shy to go on camera, but wrote on her postcard, "Thank you for protecting us. I love you!" as her father looked proudly on.
Expressing the common theme for the night, let me too wish our troops a happy and safe New Years. Know that our prayers are with you, and that we want you home soon and safe. And, as one vet said, "Get the bad guys before they get you!"
posted by Laer at 1:34 PM
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