I rarely donate to organizations outside of my church donations that go to tithing, fast offerings, humanity projects, assisted temple patron, and perpetual education fund. However, for the past few years (at least while we have been in Afghanistan in war) I have made an annual donation to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Today I received a piece of mail that caught my attention. More and more disabled vets are coming home from war in desperate need of help (there are 19,164 in Utah alone!) In 2001, there were less than 2 million. Today there are more than 3 million. As I think of the tender mercies my family has received and the freedoms that we enjoy as American citizens, I felt that I could donate once again.
With today's mail there was also a Coat of Honor that was sent with the solicitation. It is shown below. The explanation states: Disabled American Veterans, 2012 Hero's Hero--Adams Family. This authentic 2012 Coat of Honor is given toyour family recognizing your steadfast support and loyalty. The Forget-Me-Nots were chosen to represent your tradition of supporting our nation's wounded. The Daffodils personify new beginnings, joy and hippiness that you have brought into millions of lives. The Torch is to honor your grace and strength that welcomed us home. The Flag is a simbol of faith reminding us that as American we never give up. May you always dream, be surrounded by love and be inspired by the hope you give to others.
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n addition, a Hero's Hero was also enclosed, that tells the story of those of us who choos to remember what freedom cost, and how we may be able to at least show, in a small way, that we care!
A Hero's Hero.
So many Soldiers Living on The Street
Their Spirits Broken, With Defeat.
What Must They Think When They Look Around
Eyes Passing By, Staring At The Ground?
Does Anger Fill Them When We Turn Away,
From The Debts We Owe That Should Be Repaid?
What If At That Moment, Just Once, Instead
We Saluted In Honor, Right Hand To Head?
To Let Them Know They Are Not Ghosts,
Thanking Them For Being Braver Than Most.
If Everyone Would Show Them Grace
We Just Might Find Their Pain Erased.
For All The Heroes Still Fighting To Live
And For Heroes Like You, Who Continue To Give.
IF You See Someone Who Is Really Lost
Please Stop And Remember What Our Freedom Cost.
Do you think that we have a responsibility to these Vets who live each day with, not only the horrible memories of war, but with the disabilities that have resulted from their courage to defend our freedoms here in America? I do. That is to always remember that Freedom isn't Free!