Freedom Isn't Free--Thank You!

source:  Freedom Isn't Free (Mike Golch)

I always had a fascination with the military although I never had an immediate family member in it until my foster brother joined and was in the Black Knights.  I am sorry to say I did not keep in touch with him during that time,  I had a cousin in the navy but we were not a close family and I didn't really know him.  I did used to like playing army though and loved watching McHale's Navy, Gomer Pyle, Combat, and now enjoy Army Wives.  I had a couple helmets, insignias and memorized the army ranks.  I even still have my army men, which I named and some of my trucks!  I put names on the bottom of them with masking tape.

Recently we have read some books that have given me a real feel of what war is really like.  These include both fiction and non-fiction.  Here is a list of our favorites that we recommend to you:

Outlaw Platoon by Sean Parnell and John Bruning (Afghanistan--contemporary non-fiction)

Homefront by Kristin Hannah (fiction)

One September Morning by Rosalind Noonan (fiction about Army widow)

Hope Unseen by Capt. Scott Smiley and Doug Crandall (Non-fiction)

One Dog at a Time--Saving The Strays of Afghanistan by Pen Farthing (non-fiction)

Where Men Win Glory by Jon Krakauer (Afghanistan--Pat Tillman, non-fiction)

Hannah's Hope by Karen Kingsbury (fiction)

Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton (Afghanistan contemporary non-fiction)

Nubs, The True Story Of A Mutt, A Marine & A Miracle by Brian Dennis, Mary Nethery, Kirby Larson (Afghanistan, children's picture book, non-fiction)

Fading Echoes by Mike Sielski

(50 cents per legitimate comment during May goes to Joni and Friends for family retreat scholarships for those having special needs children.)

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Our Walk To Veteran's Memorial Park In Parma, Ohio

Veteran's Memorial Park Monument, Parma, Ohio

Flags for each branch of service: Army, Navy, Marines, State of Ohio, USA, POW-MIA, Coast Guard, Air Force, Merchant Marine

We want to give special honor to our service men and women in all the armed forces. At our local park, there is such a nice memorial with the flags of each service. This is the park where our dog, Abby, loves to walk to and often stops at this memorial.  Abby went to rest in the shade under the bench.  This was her second trip walking up here this day.

In the ground are four sections of bricks like this with names of servicemen and the war they served in etched into individual bricks:

Even as far back as the Civil War!

We say “Thank You” to all who served and those currently serving our nation in the armed forces. We appreciate your sacrifice!  Happy Memorial Day!