As I sit back and watch the world crumble around me and watch as our national pride falls apart I know deep down there are still people that believe and think the way I do. Granted most of them are older folks that have lived through very hard times like WWI, WWII, The Great Depression, etc. I was born in 1977 during the Cold War. Not a war with any real battles, but an arms race. And for those reading this that have no idea what I am talking about, when I say arms I mean weapons. Most of them as the mass destruction variety (i.e. nuclear, atomic, H-bomb).
As I sit here and read about what North Korea is doing and what Iran is silently doing and what our president is not doing, I can't help but think of the past history of our nation. I come from a line of serviceman in my family. First my grandfather, Cpl. Willard O. Sheppard (Army). Fought in WWII in the Pacific. Purple Heart award and a Bronze Star among others. Having researched his unit, 37th Infantry, in the Philippians and finding out how the liberation battle went I find it hard to believe that we actually won that battle. The Battle of Leyte Gulf was a hard fought battle that resulted in 7 soldiers getting the medal of honor. 2 of which were posthumous.
Next my uncles and father. Sgt. Douglas Sheppard (Marines), Sgt. Clifford Sheppard (Army National Guard), Specialist Jeff Sheppard (Army), and Master Sgt. Scott Sheppard (Air Force). All of whom I am EXTREMELY proud of. I regret my decision to not serve every day of my life. Since I am 40 now I cannot go back and make that decision again. The cut off is 38. I am not even draft eligible any more. It pains me greatly that I made that choice. So my job now is to pass on that history and that American Pride to my kids. Pass on the history of our family, on both sides. Andrea's grandfather also served in the Pacific during WWII in China with 1st Marine Battalion. I only knew him for a very short time, but from what I could see he was a very gentle soul that loved everyone no matter what. Even in that short time he had an impact on my life.
The flag to me represents so much. It represents freedom, power, pride, and choice. First Freedom, the freedom to make life what I want it to be. With hard work and determination you can be and do anything you want in this country. The only person holding you back is you. Next Power, Our nation is the world’s police. Sad but true, but we also aid a lot of the world. We give a lot of money to third world nations to help them out. We give billions to Africa to help fight AIDS. We give billions to Ethiopia to help fight hunger and poverty. There are many others. We also have one of the world’s largest economies, that along with China dictate a lot of the world trade and commerce. Along with that power comes Pride. Pride that I live in a nation of opportunity, justice and freedom. Next Choice. I have the power to Choose what I wanted to be and how I wanted to live my life. There are not many other places where you can get all those things. Freedom, Power, Pride and Choice are summed up in one word, PATRIOTISM.
Love for country, love her people and choose to do the right thing. Being a patriot runs deep. I will be the first to help anyone if I can. Most people that know me know they can count on me for just about anything. Honor the flag of a great nation. Honor the history and forward thinking of our founding fathers. Times are different know, but the concept remains the same. History cannot be erased or changed. What happened, happened. Remember that and pass it on so we do not repeat it. Life in the United States is what YOU make it. You have the Power and Choice to do what you want to do.
And that's all I have to say about that..........for now.
God bless America and our troops.
Signed,
Brian Sheppard, humble citizen.
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