My blog entry today has nothing to do with hunting, fishing or politics.  It’s about being thankful we can bicker over little things like legislation, whether it be “Cars for Clunkers” or “Health Care”.  We need to realize that many of the worries and problems we have every day are minor in the grand scheme of things.  Honestly, even being out of work or having your house repossessed can be little blips compared to what others have to live through. 

We need to take time out of every single day to think of those that put their lives on the line so we have the freedoms that we have.  We need to thank our men and women that are putting themselves in harms way for all of us and  our great country.  That thanks has to come from the bottom of our hearts.

The 4th of July of 2009 has come and gone into the history books.  Most of us spent that day on vacation with our families and friends grilling out, having a couple of beers and relaxing.  Some did not.  The family of Sgt 1st Class John C. Beale of Riverdale, Georgia had their first 4th of July without their husband, father, son and brother.  This man gave his life on June 4, 2009 in Kapisa, Afghanistan.  He was killed by an improvised explosive device and small arms fire.  Also killed were Major Kevin Jenrette and Specialist Jeffrey Jordan.  Men who also had families.

Sgt 1st class John C. Beale, Major Kevin M. Jenrette and Specialist Jeffery W. Jordan

What makes Sgt 1st Class John C. Beale any different than the other 5079 men and women killed in Iraq or Afghanistan?  Not much in many ways.  A lot in others.  He was similar in that he volunteered to join the Army like every other man and woman in the armed forces.  He didn’t have to, since he did have a job in his civilian life.  He did it because he loved his country and everything it stood for in good times and bad.  He was similar in that he left behind love ones that will miss him and think about him in their waking and sleeping hours for the rest of their lives.

Sgt 1st Class John C. Beale is different that he is the only man from McDonough, Georgia that was the husband of Crystal and their two children, Christopher and Calye.  It makes it a little more personal.  It is a man with a face and a real family.  Not a statistic on the evening news.  What makes him even more remarkable, is that his death expanded the circle of people that knew him in a geometric fashion.

How is that possible?  What did he do?  He was fortunate to be part of a community that I find indescribable.  I became aware of this event via an email that a friend sent to me.  The first time I tried to watch it, I had tears in my eyes.  I had to turn it off.  I watched it again tonight and to my surprise, it had the same effect.  With that, take 12 minutes and 36 seconds to watch and amazing video and soundtrack below.

I embarrassed to say that this video of the funeral procession of  Sgt 1st Class John C. Beale had to remind me how lucky I am to have a man like him be their for me.  I am so damn proud of the men and women that are serving our country, I cannot begin to explain.  I am also so very proud of the people of his community that took time out of their lives to say thank you and good bye to a fallen warrior and a great American.

If you know someone who is serving their country, no matter where, you can make a difference.  If you see that person, say “Hi” and “Thank you very much for being there for me”.  If you know their family, stop by and see if you can help them out.  Mow the lawn, give the kids a ride to school; be there for them. 

If you are in the airport or shopping mall and you see those young kids in uniform; acknowledge what they are doing for us.  For what ever their reason, they are putting it on the line in a way that so many of this country have not.  Shake their hand.  If your life is going well, buy them a drink, pick up the check for their meal.  It is a small thing, but it means the world to them.  I know.  I was in their place in a different time.  Things were different then.

The other day, I ran into a old Navy buddy on Facebook from too many decades ago, when we were young and ignorant in many ways.  He told me that his son and namesake Andy Mendez, checked onboard the USS Shoup, an Arleigh Burke class of Aegis guided missile destroyers.  I am sorry to say that I don’t know his son, but I felt immensely proud anyway.  Proud of him and proud of his Dad Andy, a good man that raised a good kid. 

By the way Andy, thanks for taking time out of your life to be there for us.  Thanks for putting yourself on the line for all of us in this great country.  My prayers are for you and your family that you find safe waters in what ever adventure lies ahead of you.