Lost and Found
You know, emotions can be a strange thing. A few moments ago, as I was loading a few dishes into the dishwasher and listening to a Fox News television program, reviewing the events, and the "winners and losers" of the year. There were two events mentioned that struck a chord with me, and I felt like crying. I felt like crying. I felt like crying tears that were a combination of the pain and joy that these events caused.
What were these events? They were the deaths of heroes.
In April I walked into a classroom on campus, and my friend Adam (AKA Infidel #1) walked in shortly thereafter. He asked me if I'd heard about the death of some guy; I didn't recognize the name. Who was it? It was the man whose picture I've posted below; his name was Pat Tillman.
Why was Specialist Tillman a hero? What made him any different than any other soldier? He was a star NFL football player who'd given up a lucrative contract for millions of dollars a year. He gave it up so that he could go kill terrorists and bring freedom to Americans, Afghans, and everyone in between. He reminded us all of what a hero truly is by making something other than himself the priority in his life.
Right before Spring term ended, America lost another hero when Ronald Reagan passed away from us. I joined with my people, my American brothers and sisters, by rejoicing in his life and contributions to our Republic, simultaneously lamenting that he had been taken from us.
President Reagan loved freedom, and he relentlessly defended it, and he relentlessly spread it wherever he could. He confronted his enemies, reaching out to them while simultaneously demanding that they end their corruption and oppression. He shouted, in no uncertain terms, with a fiery determination in his voice: "Mister Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"
Ronald Reagan loved America. He loved God. And he loved his bride, his beloved Nancy. Perhaps no image has seared itself into my mind quite like the image of Nancy Reagan, accompanied by her military escort, leaning down to kiss the flag-draped final bed of her companion. Ronald Reagan gave us an example of a man who loved his wife, unconditionally, and without equal. Nancy Reagan gave us an example of a woman who accompanied and cared for her husband, in spite of his transition from a strong, charismatic champion to a frail wraith of his former self. She loved him in his weakness.
There I go. I'm doing it. Seeing that picture of Mrs. Reagan has got me crying. I'm crying. I'm crying that one person could love someone so transparently, so obviously, that to merely look at her face reveals it.
Though I barely remember the period of time during which President Reagan was in office, he has had a profound impact on my life. His presidency strengthened a nation that had lost itself under the failed leadership of a man who didn't understand how the world worked. Ronald Reagan set the model by which President George W. Bush has engineered his presidency.
Ronald Reagan showed us that, even in times of indescribable adversity, a steadfast leader can overcome incredible obstacles with such undaunted courage that not only can a nation be saved, but the very fabric of the world can be changed in the process. He evoked memories and sentiments that reminded us of the challenges we faced then, and the way they were overcome. I believe that these memories were one of the greatest factors in President Bush's victory; I believe that this was President Reagan's ultimate posthumous gift to us.
We lost heroes this year. In their death, though, we've found something. We've been reminded of the greatest parts of ourselves, and we've found the hope that continues to make this the greatest nation on God's green Earth.
And what have I found? I've found hope for a new year.
What were these events? They were the deaths of heroes.
In April I walked into a classroom on campus, and my friend Adam (AKA Infidel #1) walked in shortly thereafter. He asked me if I'd heard about the death of some guy; I didn't recognize the name. Who was it? It was the man whose picture I've posted below; his name was Pat Tillman.
Why was Specialist Tillman a hero? What made him any different than any other soldier? He was a star NFL football player who'd given up a lucrative contract for millions of dollars a year. He gave it up so that he could go kill terrorists and bring freedom to Americans, Afghans, and everyone in between. He reminded us all of what a hero truly is by making something other than himself the priority in his life.
Right before Spring term ended, America lost another hero when Ronald Reagan passed away from us. I joined with my people, my American brothers and sisters, by rejoicing in his life and contributions to our Republic, simultaneously lamenting that he had been taken from us.
President Reagan loved freedom, and he relentlessly defended it, and he relentlessly spread it wherever he could. He confronted his enemies, reaching out to them while simultaneously demanding that they end their corruption and oppression. He shouted, in no uncertain terms, with a fiery determination in his voice: "Mister Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"
Ronald Reagan loved America. He loved God. And he loved his bride, his beloved Nancy. Perhaps no image has seared itself into my mind quite like the image of Nancy Reagan, accompanied by her military escort, leaning down to kiss the flag-draped final bed of her companion. Ronald Reagan gave us an example of a man who loved his wife, unconditionally, and without equal. Nancy Reagan gave us an example of a woman who accompanied and cared for her husband, in spite of his transition from a strong, charismatic champion to a frail wraith of his former self. She loved him in his weakness.
There I go. I'm doing it. Seeing that picture of Mrs. Reagan has got me crying. I'm crying. I'm crying that one person could love someone so transparently, so obviously, that to merely look at her face reveals it.
Though I barely remember the period of time during which President Reagan was in office, he has had a profound impact on my life. His presidency strengthened a nation that had lost itself under the failed leadership of a man who didn't understand how the world worked. Ronald Reagan set the model by which President George W. Bush has engineered his presidency.
Ronald Reagan showed us that, even in times of indescribable adversity, a steadfast leader can overcome incredible obstacles with such undaunted courage that not only can a nation be saved, but the very fabric of the world can be changed in the process. He evoked memories and sentiments that reminded us of the challenges we faced then, and the way they were overcome. I believe that these memories were one of the greatest factors in President Bush's victory; I believe that this was President Reagan's ultimate posthumous gift to us.
We lost heroes this year. In their death, though, we've found something. We've been reminded of the greatest parts of ourselves, and we've found the hope that continues to make this the greatest nation on God's green Earth.
And what have I found? I've found hope for a new year.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home