On November 10, 2009, we were privileged to be a part of the local Veteran’s Day Celebration in our hometown of Morristown, Tennessee. The event was held at the Walters State Expo Center. Approximately, twenty five hundred were in attendance for the festivities. Veterans registered for gifts and there was free food for everyone. Even though the rain was pouring outside, people braved the bad weather to honor our local veterans. The combined marching bands of East and West High Schools did an incredible job of playing patriotic songs for the parade of soldiers from every war and every branch of service. The local Boy Scout troops also took part in the parade. One of our U.S. Representatives spoke and The Talley Trio and Squire Parsons sang.
No one told us we could not sing gospel songs. As a matter of fact, that’s why we were asked to be there. As Christian music was sung and played, people clapped their hands and praised the Lord. We honored our country and our Lord. Maybe it’s just me, but as I stood there and watched the soldiers, the flag, and listened to the songs of our country and our faith, my heart swelled and I kept thinking, “this is America.”
- America is not politics, government, rhetoric, or agendas.
- America is communities coming together for each other all across our nation when there is a need.
- America is pride in our men and women who sacrifice their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day.
- America is looking beyond ourselves and reaching out to the less fortunate all across the globe.
America is being maligned in our world today, but even with its faults; it’s still the place that people dream of coming to for a better life. I am proud to be an American and even more so on this Veteran’s Day. My nephew, Cameron, is currently in boot camp in Camp Lejune, SC. My father is a WWII Navy veteran. We are America because young men and women risk their lives to protect and defend our nation and old men, who have served, lived to tell their stories of the battles that have preserved our freedom for generations.
Let us never forget who we are and where we have come from. It’s the surest way to preserve the nation we love and that God has blessed. Tell us about someone that you know who has served and why you think it’s important to our country.
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Thank you, Debra, for that lovely picture of my America. I would like to recognize my mother-in-law, Anna Sue Overton. She wasn’t actually in the service, but she followed her husband, my father-in-law, Joe Overton, around the country and to Japan and waited for him to come home from several tours in Vietnam and Korea. The spouses and families of our veterans and soldiers provide value and honor to our country as well as they watch their loved ones leave and wait, praying every day, that they will come home again safely. My father-in-law has been gone for 8 years now, and just this week we placed my mother-in-law in a care facility near your hometown. She has late stage Alzheimer’s. She doesn’t have much contact with reality these days, but if she did, I know she would appreciate the honor shown her husband as a veteran. And she would be surprised if anyone recognized her for her role in our freedom. She probably doesn’t realize her own contribution. But we should. So thank you to all our veterans and their faithful, long-suffering families. May God bless you abundantly.
Reply to Rachel OvertonHi Debra,
Thank you for reminding America what America is! Our small town of Shelby, OH, just had our first “Welcome Home Viet Nam Vets” parade last weekend and there was 5,000 people here that day on Main Street. You have recently sung here and know how small our town is so 5,000 people is amazing! We need to continue honoring our vets as a nation but most of all continue to honor God and not let a few rule the majority who want to change us and erase what those who have died for.
God bless you all in your ministry. And by the way, thank you for singing ‘The Healer’ for me when you were here (I am the 53-year childhood cancer survivor that talked to you before the concert – wilms tumor at age 11 months in 1956). God is always good no matter what we face. I can’t wait to see Lauren’s book too. Keep on blessing, all three of you. You will get many blessings yourself in return (as you know
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Reply to Bren HighfieldAmen
Reply to Heather CookWhat songs did you sing?
Reply to JRIFour young people came to mind right off the bat that are currently serving our country. They are brave young adults. Two of them I know are married with children. I give God praise for watching over them and for sparing their lives this far. All of these men and women are held up in prayer during this time of service. Their sacrifice of service is one of the reasons we can still pray openly for them.
Reply to RebeccaThere is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily.
G Washington
Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles.
G Washington
It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.
G Washingtion
Reply to JeffThank you for sharing about your hometown’s tribute to veterans and for being a part of it. I am the daughter and wife of veterans. My father, now 86, flew as a gunner and engineer on B-17s in World War II, and my husband spend four years in the Navy during the Vietnam era. I know the service of so many like them makes our country’s freedom reality, not theory. An African who was visiting some Christian ministries in my hometown last week told me he was impressed to see that religious freedom was not just a law on paper in the United States.
Reply to Melanie Smithmy step grandfather was shot down out of a helicopter…he lives to tell the story but also bare the scars!!!! he now walks with a limp and has a problem getting out and about!!!! he gets kinda mean sometimes whether it’s anger or frustration or memories flooding back or what…but he is a sweet loving person at heart and he fought for the life i have today! i greatly love and respect him!!!!! just thought i’d share that story!!!!
Reply to HannahI shared your last CD with my cousin. We have both rededicated our lives. She loved your music. We dicided that we would travel a far as four hours away to hear you then……. I found out you would be in our hometown Modesto, California Feb.18th, I just couldn’t believe it. Can’t wait. Diane
Reply to Diane GuerraHowdy! Thanks for being so supportive of our troups. None of my family have served, but we have such a high respect for those who have!!!
Talley Trio, PLEASE come to Missouri, preferably in the vicinity of Hannibal! We have a great southern gospel radio station and have been getting more and more groups to come to our area. The radio station plays your music quite alot.
http://kjir.org/
Reply to CallieThanks so much for being a blessing!
Callie
Hello Talleys, can i create a topic here? sorry, but i don’t know how to make it =D, thanks, a big embrace!!!
Reply to SullivanThanks so much for your post Debra. I always enjoy reading your posts. I enjoyed hearing you speak in Myrtle Beach (Even if I was one of the few men in the audience
). My Uncle was in the Navy during WWII, my Dad was Part-time in the National Guard during the Cuban Missle Crisis, I have a Cousin currently in the Army, his Son is in the Marines and my Nephew is currently in the Navy on a Submarine. If it wasn’t for the sacrifices of so many we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the freedoms and priveliges we enjoy today. Unfortunately so often as a nation we take for granted those freedoms or abuse them. Hey not to change the subject, but when are you going to write a book Debra? Not that you’re lacking in things to do or anything 
. You could end up being the next Joyce Meyer! I guess the next topic we discuss will be football? It’s about that time. Lauren’s probably bouncing off the walls the way Indy is playing.
Reply to Sam KerfootI am commenting on Diane Guerra’s comment…I also live in the Modesto, CA area but I do not see on the Talley’s concert schedule that they will be here in February. Could someone please clarify? I would not want to miss this concert if at all possible. I was fortunate to fly to TN for their first Smokey Mountain concerts several years ago…so if I will fly to TN for a concert you bet I will drive a few miles to hear the Talley’s
Reply to BrendaLauren, I agree with you 100 % in the last paragraph of your newsletter – ” If my people, who are called by name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14 God doesn’t change – what was true then is true now. He is good; His love endures forever.
Reply to JeffAt this time we aren’t aware of any dates booked in the Modesto CA area. Sorry!
Reply to Lauren TalleyI love the Talleys and the Hoppers. Its the Hoppers that will be in Modesto, California on Feb.18,2010. The Talleys also need to come to Modesto. That would complete me and my love for you three. Diane Guerra
Reply to Diane GuerraHello talley’s! I hope you have a great night in Gautier Miss fri night,my daughter Nancy and her miss family hopefuly will be there!you will get to meet my grandchildren,Brandon and Logan!
Reply to louiseLove all of you!
Louise