President Obama’s speech at the memorial service for the thirteen fallen soldiers at Ft. Hood, Texas, was exactly what I needed to hear to put me into a very special place of gratitude for all the women and men who have served and continue to serve our country and preserve our safety, our freedom and our ideals – our honored Veterans.

It is so easy to take our abundant and comfortable lives for granted, yet so many Veterans  have given so much of themselves, sometimes ALL of themselves, to assure our ability to pursue happiness and stay free. I’m grateful for their leadership!

As I now have two family members who are committing their remarkable talent to the service of our country, I am especially proud of these two young men. Forgive me for proudly pointing them out separately from the many who serve and have served:

John Robert Crowley III, who is in the early process of becoming a Navy Seal, something he has been clear about for years.

Blake Ensley Fisher, who is a Marine in training to fly the V-22 Osprey. Blake has been focused for years on becoming a Marine pilot.

Our country’s freedom could not be in better hands than with men and women like these two outstanding citizens – and the many more like them with such a clarity of mission and service. God Bless you guys! I’m so proud of you!

God Bless our Veterans and God Bless those in our armed services who continue to defend human rights, justice and freedom all over the world.

Do take time today to reflect and express your gratitude to our Veterans.

God Bless the United States of America.

With much gratitude,

Ed Oakley and the Enlightened Leadership Team!

Technorati Tags: ft-hood, gratitude, obama, veterans