I was blessed to serve in the United States Air Force back in the early 1990’s. The career field that I was in was called “463” or Nuclear Weapons Specialist. That’s a fancy way of saying that I did maintenance on nuclear missiles. I didn’t get to go to Desert Shield or Desert Storm. Praise the Lord there was no need for my career field in that war. Several of us 463’s signed up to drive flatbed trucks in Turkey, but none of us were chosen to go.

No one ever shot at me. I never went out on missions in the desert or in the mountains. I didn’t drive trucks through IED riddled areas. I didn’t sleep on a cot in a tent with 40 other guys. I actually went home every day to my wife in our apartment. I was as safe as could be at Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan. I didn’t even spend 20 or 30 years serving in the military.

Why do I share this? We are living in a time where our country is split down the middle. Both sides of the political fence act like buffoons while they try to belittle the other side. A lack of respect, across the board, is at an all time high. We are cancelling history, people, and even places. Who would have ever believed that this week, Fort Bragg will be renamed Fort Liberty. At the current rate, no country will need to invade and destroy us, we are dismantling ourselves from within.

Through all of this, I have always been blessed. I’ve always been respected. I’ve always been honored. Every Veteran’s Day, I get a few texts saying, “Thanks for your service.” I have received gifts from people because of my service. I’ve received many firm handshakes from men who looked me in the eyes and said, “Thank you!” Earlier today, I got a text from a church member saying, “Happy Memorial Day.”

Memorial Day is seen as just another day off work for most people. Cookouts, trips to the lake, or just piling up on the couch for the day is at the top of their lists. My pastor explained what this holiday was about as he opened the church service up yesterday. He said, “Freedom is never free!”

Many men and women have paid the ultimate price to give us the ability to live in this great country. They fought and died so that we can experience freedom. There are empty seats at tables, wives without husbands and husbands without wives. Many children have lost a mother or father so that we can continue living without worry. I hope that you have taken time to remember those who gave their lives today.

This week, I was blessed by a local company. I got a message from one of our climbing gyms saying that on Memorial Day, they were giving all active duty military and veterans a free day in the gym. We didn’t have anything on the calendar, so Chris, Sophie, and I headed to the gym for a few hours.

I’ve been hitting the treadmill and the bouldering wall in the garage pretty hard lately, but my endurance while climbing still stinks. I looked at this blessing as a way of spending time with my family while I added a little endurance to my tank. The gym wasn’t crowded, and we had a great time. I’m getting stronger and for longer, but I have a long way to go in my last five weeks before our trip.

John 15:13 NIV84
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

I would be amiss if I didn’t mention the One Who gave His life for all of us. No matter who you are or where you are from, Jesus Christ lived the life that we couldn’t live. He died the death that we all deserve, but on the Third Day, He arose to defeat death, hell, and the grave as He provided a way for us to spend eternity in heaven. He ascended and now sits at the Father’s right hand interceding for His church. Praise the Lord that He promises to come back for us one day!

Because He Calls, Old Climbing Dad