Sometimes it isn't our returning soliders who have the problem, its us.

Happy July 4th Weekend.

The founding fathers of America are celebrated at this time of the year.

Abraham Lincoln was one of our most pressured Presidents. I remember reading that after the defeat of Robert G. Lee and his troops there was a moment where President Lincoln could give respect and honor to his opponent. He chose grace over disgrace.

Sebastian Junger, a war corespondent has recently written a book, On Homecoming and Belonging, where he challenges the notion that our soldiers coming home from war are mentally off. He says that our culture is mentally off and some of them are the ones who are strong. His belief is that we are Americans. Even though our country is having a passionate discussion this election year we are all American. The United States of America. Our discussion partners are not our enemies. They are of our own tribe called the "United States of American".

He believes that we need something traumatic to cause us to pull together and disasters and wars can do that but what about our normal life together.

When our soldiers come home from battle they have become soldiers for our country but too often we are not good soldiers here at home. We are willing to slander and destroy our fellow Americans. I know of family members who won't speak to each other during the election year because of division. How sad.

Let's turn our disgrace into grace.
Forgive others. Don't intensify their sins, forgive their sins.
Love your family and plead for unity.
Do not be anxious, but turn everything over to God.
Stay focused on positive things, true, noble, righteous, pure, loving, admirable and excellent things.
This will make your fourth of July gathering a
joyful memory.

Larry Wishard