And as they lay bleeding, gasping for the final breathe, the universal call was mama.

As I celebrated the 4th of July this week, I again watched, “Saving Private Ryan.” I mean how many times have I sat practically nose to nose to the TV screen and watched one of my favorite movies of all time?

But again this week, I watched.

Throughout my life at this time of year my heart swells with pride. We live in the United States of America!

The USA, the free and the brave. The most patriotic, charitable, Christian nation of all time.

It is still true. If anyone has worked hard and believed in themselves, then anything and everything is possible.

My grandson is a prime example. He’s planned his life’s footprint since seventh grade, and now he is a senior at University of Tennessee.

But my thoughts this day are filled with the memories of young men who gave their lives that today we can complain about the heat and bellyache about the price of cable and our bosses.

Really, even when so many died, our sight is slight. We can’t see past our fabulous dinner (I mean the steak was dry and potatoes not well done). Petty and inconsequential, it is.

And the crime, not only in our city, but all across the nation.

When so many opportunities are available for those who apply themselves; like clean living, respect for authority and work. Yes, work. Is this a new word with new meaning? Like, is it acceptable to carouse all night, shooting and fighting, killing each other and any innocent bystander, and at the same time collecting some rigged-up government check and dealing drugs?

When can this mentality be good for the nation and good for the people who try to do right?

While they laid bleeding, gasping for the final breathe, the universal call was mama.

The call was for mama because the warriors then and now were mere children, mostly still in their teens.

Since the Trojan’s and prior time in history, it has been the young and strong who march onto the battlefield. And it will be the same until that final day and even on that day, the dying will call for mama.

Whether the final battle is Russia, China or an unknown enemy. Whether the final battle is next week or in the next million years, our young people must be ready.

God bless America and keep us from harm.