Many of you remember our first gathering last July 4th as we took several hours out of our holiday festivities in order to honor all of our servicemen and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. What a turnout it was. Something very special happened on that sweltering hot day; 160 of you came out to hold a sign with the name of one of our Illinois servicemembers on it. We stood for one hour to remember the incredible sacrifice that was made by these soldiers....and their families. You talked to those standing near you and heard their stories; maybe even made a new friend.
Afterwards, many of you told me this should be an annual event and I took that to heart. After we paid tribute to these brave Americans, we placed the signs in my yard next to an American flag and for several days (until it rained) thousands of passersby noted this graveyard. Each night I lit candles (as many as I had) to illuminate the names; unwilling to let the night steal their identities. Illuminating those plaques simply made me feel that for a few brief hours we were consciously reminded that the light of liberty and freedom cannot be extinguished with the darkness. Freedom doesn't sleep, heroes do not falter, and democracy lives when we acknowledge that it's a gift that must be honored and nurtured.
Once again, I am calling on 241 volunteers to come and hold the sign of a hero. It's the most important thing you'll be asked to do this 4th of July! You will leave uplifted, inspired and feeling utterly patriotic! We will begin assembling at about 9:15 a.m. and will hold up our signs at 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Afterwards, as we did last year, we will place our signs in my yard next to an American flag. Weather permitting, I will once again light luminaries in the evening to honor our troops who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Won't you please join us? "All gave some and some gave all." Can't we give just a "little"? Thank you.
DAY: Wednesday, July 4th
TIME: 10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
PLACE: 26 E. Washington Street (Corner of Monroe & Washington) in downtown Oswego
EVENT: STAND & HONOR LIVING MEMORIAL
R.S.V.P.: www.warriordog.co (not .com!) Then click on VOLUNTEER page and follow instructions.
As always................live an inspired and patriotic life.
