INSPIRASUNS

This weekend, we celebrate Memorial Day. Yes, there will be barbecues and picnics, parades and music. It’s a three-day weekend and has often been referred to as the “official start of summer”. My prayer, though, is that everyone stops for a moment on Monday and remembers truly why we hold this holiday so dear.

I’ve shared here before the story of my friend Sgt. Thomas Gilbert, Tommy to all who knew him. As we go into the Memorial Day weekend, I wanted to share it again. This, my friends, is why we remember this day. I don’t say celebrate it. We remember it, we honor it, and we give thanks to all those who paid the price for us to be free.

As I thought about Tommy this morning, I thought about what would have been our first real Memorial Day. Think about the second Easter. Meaning one year after Jesus’ resurrection. Could we consider that the first Memorial Day? Jesus gave everything for us. He gave His life for us, that we may be free. Jesus gave His life for those not even born yet, that we all may be free from sin, free from satan, living with Him forever in paradise. The men and women of our armed forces, well, they follow in His path, they give it all, including their lives if necessary, for those they don’t even know, and those not yet born. They give it all to protect the freedoms given to us by God.

So, today, friends, I share the story about Tommy. I remember his sacrifice, I honor his service, and I thank the Lord for the gift of this beautiful soul. Thank You, Jesus, for the gift of Tom, and for being with Him to escort him home that day. And…thank You, Jesus, for giving your life for me.

Tommy – A Little Blog Post from October 25, 2022
Today’s little blog is dedicated to a very special person. Sgt Thomas Gilbert was only 24 years old when he was killed in action in Iraq in 2006. Don’t let the age fool you, Tommy may have only been 24, but he was an “old soul”. He loved his family, and he loved his country. You see, Tommy willingly gave his life for the country he loved.

When Tommy was deployed on his first round to Iraq, I organized a group of friends and coworkers to collect items to send to his unit. I remember filling boxes and boxes with everything from sunscreen to deodorant, beef jerky to bubble gum. We packed everything we could into those boxes. Our group sent several care packages over that first year. Shortly after Tom came home on leave, I had lunch with him and his dad. He gave me a gift that day to say thanks for those wonderful care packages. It was a t-shirt from his unit that had been signed by him and his “buddies,” as he called them. I remember how humbled I felt that day, receiving a thank you from a group of servicemen who were putting their lives on the line to protect MY freedom.

Tommy was killed on October 25, 2006. This was actually supposed to be his “day off” if there is such a thing during war. A call came in that some troops were under fire; one of the men who was going to respond was actually due to ship back home to his wife and child in a short time. Tommy told him to stay back and went in his place that day. An IED exploded under the vehicle Tom was in, and he was gone.

I know that Father was with Tom that day. He was there when Tommy took the place of his fellow soldier, and then he sent his Son to escort him home when the explosion took place.

Tommy is a hero, but my guess is that if you were able to tell him that today, he’d say he wasn’t. He was just doing his part. Well, Tom, you are a hero and will always be to me. Thank you, my friend, for your faithful service to Father and to this country. Until we meet again, know that you will never be forgotten.

Friends, please remember the reason for this Holiday as you spend time with family and friends on this long weekend. Stop and give thanks for all who give of themselves to protect this nation. We are so blessed, and we owe them much.

Have a good weekend, I’m going to take a few days off. We’re traveling to be with family for a few days. I’ll be back on Tuesday morning. Prayers lifted for all who may be traveling this weekend, be safe. God Bless the USA.

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