I recently received this note from one of our readers, a military mother from Texas:

During the Vietnam War I was a teen. I graduated in 1968. During the last two years of High School I was taught math by a retired Army Colonel who had five Masters' Degrees. He would write on the chalkboard each day a quotation or a thought to ponder. I loved them. He never spoke of what was written on the chalkboard unless we asked him about it. The words were for us to meditate on.

One day I came in to read these words. They forever changed my world and some 3 years later, after graduating from university, I married a young Army Cpt, a helicopter pilot, home from war due to injuries.

The words were these...

Somewhere out there a young man at war died for me today, and I must ask and answer: Am I worth dying for?

Those words are indelibly carved in my heart and I think of them daily, especially since our son serves.

The first thing at morning and the last thing at night I pray for him and another young man who came through our home. He too, serves as a pilot, only in the Army. Our son sent us a letter last week. In part it read: 'Mama, I know you pray for me daily and I thank you, but there are plenty of others here who need your prayers more, don't forget them. Hold them in prayer faithfully.'

Beverly Gunn, East Texas Rancher, Proud Military Mom

These young men belong to a long line of Americans who have purchased and guarded our freedom with their toil and sacrifice. Let's remember them in our prayers not only on this our nation's anniversary but always. May God bless them and may He bless the great country they so selflessly serve.

Vasko Kohlmayer    7 4 06