True Patriot

My family and I were honored to spend time with my best friend Pat for his final weekend home before going over to Afghanistan. It meant a lot to us to be included in the time spent with his family. To us, they are part of our extended family.

It amazes me how there are still people like him out there. We as a nation are so lucky to have him and others willing to do the heavy lifting. Too often we get sucked into the daily rut of our lives and forget we have hundreds of thousands of service men and women overseas FIGHTING for us. They sacrifice everything for us.

I enjoy watching Pat with his family. His two daughters, his wife, and parents and sibilings mean the world to him. He is the type of guy who would do anything for you if asked. I know if I ever needed anything, he would be there.

His nation has called on him to help. He is doing with pride, willingly, despite knowing the strain it will put on his family. A year away from loved ones is one the greatest sacrifices anyone can make.

The world we live in today is all about soundbites, and the latest hollywood gossip. Since I became a dad, I have become much more attuned to the culture we get inundated with on TV. I have turned off a lot of it. It doesn't do anything to improve my life.

Then there are people like Pat. They are doing so much for us and their stories are getting lost in the constant blather and noise in the culture. Heros are the steroid filled baseball players chasing records for even more millions of dollars.

And don't forget the wives and moms (and dads too!) who provide support on the homefront means the world to the troops. They are true patriots and heros. Their story also should be told. Keeping the home running with kids and not skipping a beat while remaing a pilar of strength. Who can not be inspired by that?

Pat knows the evil we are facing. The people who just want to give up and go home really don't get it. They should take the time to talk to those doing the fighting. They might just learn something.

So, when Pat goes wheels up sometime in the near future...I will take a moment to say a prayer for his safe keeping and god's speed. I will do what little I can to support him and his other fellow soldiers. And I will count the days till his return and we can sit in my backyard, have a bbq and watch our kids grow.

Pat is a true patriot, willing to stand up when called. How many of us can say that?