Earlier this week my wife introduced a wonderful way to remember the many ways that our family could be Thankful to God for the blessings in our lives. She made a list for herself, my daughter and myself... simply lettered A through Z along the side of a sheet of paper and challenged us to think of words that would best describe the people, place, and things that we were "Thankful for" starting with each letter of the alphabet.
                                                                 
    I considered the letter "A" for America, or Army, or Accountability, whereas the letter "B" may cause me to think of Bible or Blessings or Babies. I managed to get through the letter "C" for Christ, Children, and Coffee and then began to get distracted with my Busy Schedule of Life and Work, and did not finish the challenge. 
                                                                                   
    Of Course, my Wife and 10 year old daughter completed their "Thankful List" and shared it with me over dinner, days later, to my embarrassment...although with compassion, as to include me and my thoughts, on the other letters, as we ate together!

Tonight I was wrapping things up to relax, after the kids went to bed, and the "Thankful List Word Challenge" came to mind. Over recent weeks my heart has been going out to our Armed Forces and the Men and Women that sacrifice themselves and their families in the pursuit of Freedom, Liberty and the safety my family and the American people enjoy daily, without hesitancy...
Stories flooded my mind regarding recent events that our Military has had to endure, and deal with, outside of our borders and within, from an enemy of terror and from a Politically Correct governmental albatross.
When the massacre at Fort Hood by a "Cowardly Terrorist" comes to mind, I think of the words that I am "Thankful for" like, Bravery, Sacrifice, Loyalty when taking into consideration the people that were involved with stopping the "Islamic Extremist".
                                                                                            
When I think of recent events concerning Navy SEALs that secretly captured one of the most wanted terrorists in Iraq, who may be the alleged mastermind of the murder and mutilation of four Blackwater USA security guards in Fallujah in 2004, I think of the words, Training, Courage, and Accomplishment.
Shortly there after I find that these same Navy SEALs are faced with assault charges, because Ahmed Hashim Abed, whom the military code-named "Objective Amber," told investigators he was punched by his captors and he had the bloody lip to prove it!

"The three suspects, all members of the Navy's elite commando unit, have refused non-judicial punishment — called an admiral's mast — and have requested a trial by court-martial," according to Fox News Channel.

In taking this measure to make sure that the Truth is revealed about the "Politically Correct Climate" of "changing war time commandos" into "overseas police officers", these same Navy SEALs reveal the "Thankful words" of Truth, Honor, Character, Distinction, Clarity...Americans...
                                                                                                     
During the challenging times ahead, I encourage all of us that call ourselves Americans and Christians to make a purpose to Pray and "Pray Hard" for the Service Men and Women that fight hard against Tyranny, both home and abroad. Pray that our Government will correct it's stance and once again get behind our Military.
             
    Be sure to Thank those that have "volunteered to serve", any chance you get, and let the "Thankful words" of Country, Seals, Navy, Army, Air force, Marines, Coastguard and United States of America fill your heart, this Thanksgiving, because they should be 1st on our "A through Z" letter list of "Thank You's" to God, through His Son Jesus...Amen