Thank you for my freedom.

I had some extra time before I had to return my rental car in Minneapolis the other day. I had just finished speaking at a corporate event and was feeling energized and happy. I honestly felt lucky to be alive on what was a simply beautiful day. I went to the Mall of America near the airport for only a few minutes and then I remembered there was a national cemetery near the rental car return. I knew that paying my respects to those that served our nation was more important than shopping. As I drove through the cemetery, I saw the thousands of white headstones covering the land. The American flags waving in front of many of the stones, were the only things to break the silence. The ground in the distance looked covered in snow but, it was sadly even more stones of those we lost. As I drove by reading some stones, there were recent ones, as well as men that died for our country long before I was born. A man, off in the distance, sat in a folding chair and stared at the stone of a loved one. It could have been his son or daughter that he misses so dearly, that he sits and talks to probably everyday. He brought a tear to my eye. As I drove through the valley of white stone I realized how lucky I am. How lucky WE are to have the freedoms that many people don't have. We have the right to vote yet many don't take the time to. Some crab and complain but don't vote. Some vote but do little else to help the world.

In Detroit, for example, just over 2 out of 10 residents even got off their couch to vote for the latest mayor last week. After the last mayor took the city for millions and went to prison, you'd think people would want to stand up to at least turn the city around. It's like this in every part of our country. We take our freedoms for granted and think someone else will always be there to help. When it doesn't turn out the way we want, we crab and complain or even cause a riot. I find most of my friends that complain about the government, are the same ones that say they didn't vote because they didn't have time. Under the white stones with a single American flag waving above them are men and women that died for our freedom. Died to protect our rights and let us live the life we do. They had the time to do that for us and paid the ultimate price. They had time to fight for us but, some reading this post took more time to watch TV or play online than take 5 minutes it took me to vote. Think about that one for a while.

What are you going to do today? How are you going to help someone? Not just today, everyday? What can you do? It could be simple or extraordinary but do something to help someone. If nothing else, at least vote.

Thank you to all that served our country. Thank you!

John Pullum
Redford, Michigan, U.S.A.

Posted on 11-11-09, Veterans Day.