Send off for my son-in-laws Guard Unit

Last night, we had the honor of attending the 'Call to Duty' ceremony for my son-in-law's (Mike) National Guard unit prior to their deployment. Almost 400 citizen soldiers are deploying for 12 months.

A local congressman gave some brief remarks - and used part of Zell Miller's speech from the 2004 Republican Convention. Miller, if you will recall, is a Democrat. The key part of the speech:

Never in the history of the world has any soldier sacrificed more for the freedom and liberty of total strangers than the American soldier. And, our soldiers don't just give freedom abroad, they preserve it for us here at home. For it has been said so truthfully that it is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the agitator,Today, think: BHO as a 'street organizer' who has given us the freedom to protest. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag who gives that protester the freedom he abuses to burn that flag. No one should dare to even think about being the Commander in Chief of this country if he doesn't believe with all his heart that our soldiers are liberators abroad and defenders of freedom at home.

THis is powerful stuff - and, given the context of last night, was enough to make you stand up and cheer.

Miller added, in the original speech:

But don't waste your breath telling that to the leaders of my Party today. In their warped way of thinking America is the problem, not the solution. They don't believe there's any real danger in the world except that which America brings upon itself through our clumsy and misguided foreign policy. It is not their patriotism -- it is their judgment that has been so sorely lacking. They claimed Carter's pacifism would lead to peace -- they were wrong.

Just as true, or truer, than it was 4 years.

Mike is leaving a young wife, Katy, and toddler for the year. This will be tough time for them, especially Katy. Having to make due by yourself, alone with a toddler, it tough stuff. I know that she will be ok - but the world seems dark to her at the moment.

This is a time to be proud of his service, and pray for his safety. Godspeed for a safe return and a successful mission.