My Country 'Tis of Thee

I woke up to the piano sounds of my husband playing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” this morning - one of my favorite songs!  It made me immediately recall that today is Veteran’s Day in the United States. What a significant day to recognize! It is intended to honor and salute all military personnel, past and present, who served the United States in all wars. Today will be marked with church services, parades, and various memorials. I would like the Cornerstone of Strength readers to know two particular men and their families. There are countless stories of heroism when it comes to the military, so these are two among thousands never told in a public format. I learned of these men by Robin Meade of the HLN network – aired July 4^th, 2012.

A Walk Home

A roadside bomb in Afghanistan resulted in a bilateral amputation of Army Sgt. First Class Aaron Causey’s legs. But he was still alive! He had made it. And he made himself a promise: He would be home for Christmas … and walk through his parents’ front door. Many people would think that feat impossible, but they don’t know Causey!  After three months of excruciating rehabilitation, he was ready to fulfill his promise.

The organization Veterans Airlift Command offered to fly Causey and his wife, Kat, back to his hometown in Alabama, where hundreds gathered for a surprise homecoming reception. The VAC is an all-volunteer organization whose pilots donate their time, aircrafts and flight expenses to help reunite wounded soldiers with their families. Thanks to an incredible effort by VAC and Causey's many friends and family, he was able to go right from the plane into the waiting hugs of his family. His homecoming was neither a day he and his wife would never forget…nor his waiting parents. But more importantly, he kept his promise thanks in part to MORE unsung heroes BEHIND the scenes volunteering their money, time, and efforts.

The Face of Love

Air Force Tech Sgt. Israel Del Toro tells others there was a moment after he was cruelly injured in an IED attack in Afghanistan in 2005 that he wished he had died. Suffering from third degree burns over 80% of his body, he wanted to die several times. Those thoughts spiraled when he saw his face for the first time in the mirror – he almost had a complete breakdown.

He was afraid that his son, who was three years old at the time, would be afraid of him. Del Toro credits his wife and his physical therapist for convincing him that all his son wanted was a dad, no matter what he looked like. After all, they shared a face of love!

Their first reunion was a moment from heaven. The three-year old gave his dad a big hug and a huge grin. He didn't "skip a beat" as the saying goes and the rest is history. Needless to say, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room that day! Del Toro is a real life hero - he went on to become the first 100% combat-disabled Air Force technician to re-enlist. Right! He re-enlisted! Amazing, right?!

Songs Behind the Scenes

Do you know the first few notes of your national anthem when you hear them? Does the music make you feel patriotic? I think patriotic music is also a less recognized hero in our lives! When you hear the Star Spangled Banner, My Country ‘Tis of Thee, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, Am I a Soldier of the Cross, or Onward Christian Soldiers…recall that these songs offer a specific kind of patriotic sentiment and connection. They foster a spirit that we should keep on fighting – for the Cross, for those less fortunate, for the innocent, for the enslaved. Military music, patriotic music, and Veteran’s Day music is special…take notice of it today! Don’t let them go “unsung” in your personal life.

Isn't it a tremendous blessing that the Cross is the Christian's statue of liberty?!

Look UP my friends!

My Country ‘Tis of Thee

My country tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died!
Land of the Pilgrim's pride!
From every mountain side,
Let freedom ring!

My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love.
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture fills
Like that above.