One summer our family was visiting the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. My older son who just turned 10 was fascinated by all those pictures, uniforms, movies that told about the life in the academy. filled with anticipation, he asked, "Can I come here for college?" "No, don't even think about the," my husband immediately responded. "if that is what God wants you to do..." guess my answer was more "spiritual."

Then before we left, I noticed there was a wall in one of the buildings engraved with names of those who have lost their lives in previous wars. Beneath their names were the years they were born and the year they died. I was trembled by the fact that most of them died very young, mostly in their twenties. My heart sank. "No, no, I don't want my child to go..." Guess that is the very natural reaction of any parent.

Suddenly I thought of God the Father who sent His only begotten Son to come down from Heaven knowing full well that He was going to die... young, for sinners, including you and me. Having heard the Calvary story countless times, yet never have I felt the pain of sacrifice and loss so keenly and so real, from the parent's point of view.

To all those who love our country enough to send away your dearest and most precious, I salute to you.

To our Heavenly Father, who loves us enough to give your beloved Son in order to save us, no word is adequate to express our deepest gratitude to You!