Proud to be an American

I would call today a patriotic day. I had an interesting experience with "the cable guy" and read a very inspiring quote.
The quote comes from my Relief Society President. I found it quite refreshing and, like I said, inspiring amidst all of the negativity and pessimism about our government. NO, I am not saying I am for Obama's health plan. I just think we need to remember where we live and have faith in the promises made to our forefathers in regards to this chosen land. I also believe we have the responsibility to support and sustain our civic leaders (especially pray for them) even if we do not agree with some, or most, of their political views.

"Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail. This is the cradle of humanity, where life on this earth began in the Garden of Eden. This is the place of the New Jerusalem. This is the place that the Lord said is favored above all other nations in all th world. This is the place where the Savior will come to His temple. This is the favored land in all the world. Yes, I repeat, men may fail, but this nation won't fail. I have faith in America; you and I must have faith in America, if we understand the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are living in a day when we must pay heed to these challenges. I plead with you not to preach pessimism. Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world. This is the favored land. This is the land of our forefathers. It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through." Harold B. Lee (Ye Are the Light of the World pg 350-351)

After reading this quote this morning, I then had a really neat experience with "the cable guy." I noticed Jessie (the cable guy who came to fix our broken dvr) had a big ole tattoo on his calf--covering his entire calf, mind you. So I asked him, "What's your tattoo all about?" He told me it was Psalms 91. He went on to say it was the Psalm that the chaplain would read to him and his buddies when they were on active duty in Iraq. He said it was their favorite. I also asked him what he thought about how the government, under President Bush, treated them while they were over there. He told me that the military personnel loved President Bush. He said he was treated very well and that he would do it all over again if they asked him to. He also told me that the soldiers felt very supported by the citizens of our wonderful nation.

I was so impressed! I felt so proud! What patriotism! I felt honored and humbled to be in this man's presence. What a great example of how we need to be ready and willing to sacrifice for each other's freedoms.
In the course of our conversation, he also told me his health care is paid for as well as his education, thanks to the military (and the new GI bill passed by Obama). That is EXACTLY how I would like my tax money spent! LOVE it!

On a side note, I also told him my husband was a stress engineer for Boeing and worked on the Apache. This is what he said about that, "There were times when I thought I was going to get stuck in a city. I would radio to get out, and if there was any dust or if flying conditions weren't good, the Marines wouldn't send out their helicopters. Just when I thought I was going to be unable to get out of a dangerous situation, I would hear the rotor blades of the Apache flying overhead. That was the best sound in the world to me then."

I would just like to say that MY HUSBAND busts his tail to see that the main and tail rotor blades on those helicopters are safe and efficient for those soldiers. What a compliment it was to hear Jessie say that "the best sound in the world" was the sound of those rotor blades. I am so proud of you Blakey!