Heroes ~ Picture Challenge

I'm so excited about the challenges that Twisted Fate Photography has for us in the coming weeks. http://twistedfate-photography.blogspot.com/2011/02/photo-challenge-heroes.html
I knew this was going to be somewhat easy one for me as I had some photos that I had taken this past Summer that I have been wanting to share. But wasn't sure when or how I would. These spoke volumes to me. As I grew up in the Vietnam era. A product of a military family who has served in many wars and have family still serving this day. Some even laid to rest in "Arlington Cemetery". Thank you for your service each and everyone. Including the families that freely give of their loved ones. They are my everyday heroes.
My oldest grandson since he was old enough to talk has told his Mommy that he was going to be in the service to save all the boys and girls along with their mommies. As well as take the "Good News" of the love of Jesus to them. Makes me a very proud grandma. But I'm very proud to have family and friends that have laid their lives down for my freedoms that I so richly enjoy everyday in American. No greater gift than to lay ones life down for another. I have lost family and friends to war. But the gift is my freedom and just as Jesus laid His life down for ours so that we might have eternal freedom, forgiveness of sin and His precious Love, so these men and woman have for our freedoms in this world. They the "Solider" to me resemble the love Christ had for us even before the foundations of this earth where laid. He knew He would have to send His son for us. Just as the "Solider" lays his down for our freedoms here on this land America.
NKJV       John15:13
"Greater love has no one than this to lay down one's life for his friends."
I was in Klammath Falls, Oregon on July 4th this past Summer. I have always wanted to go the "WALL" But have never been able to go. I have always thought as well that ever given the chance I'd love to see the traveling "WALL". It happened this past fourth of July, that gift was given to me by chance. We where passing by the fair grounds and saw all kinds of activity and thought way not stop and see what is going on. We had no idea what was going happening; we just wander in off the street. To both our shock and amazement we both where touched beyond words. What a blessing and sheer delight to find that one of my dreams was coming true. We where even there for some of the main events. The honoring of the "Soldiers". The whole thing was extremely moving and so overwhelming. I was even tearing up. (Which if anyone knows me doesn't take much.) If you ever get the chance I say go. It will make you speechless, breathless and awe so grateful! It was amazing the things that happened that day. We have friends on the "WALL". So I was able to pay tribute to their honor of the gift they gave me and all that live in this land of freedom of milk and honey. I couldn't choice between the many photos I had. So I came to these two and was still unable to make a choice between the two of them. I hope you enjoy. I will be looking for other Heroes this week. But truly wanted to post these two as my Heroes.  Because truly are my "Heroes".

Have lost heroes that you would love to thank?