When I was a cadet in the AFROTC program at Brigham Young University, I once had the privilege of hearing Colonel Bernard F. Fisher, USAF-retired, give a speech. Colonel Fisher is a genuine war hero of the Vietnam War, the first living Air Force recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. As cadets, we all knew the story, how he landed a prop-driven A-1E close-air-support aircraft, call sign Hobo-51, on a cratered runway, under heavy fire, in the A Shau Valley. Dodging shell holes and debris, he taxied his two-seat aircraft to the hiding place of downed fellow A-1 pilot, Major D. W. “Jump” Myers, loaded Myers aboard the aircraft, and managed to take off again, all the while suffering numerous hits on his aircraft.

I didn’t know it at the time, but Bernard Fisher had been awarded the Silver Star for bravery only the day before the dramatic rescue of Jump Myers.

To say that we cadets were inspired by Bernard Fisher’s courage under fire would be like saying that a hurricane is a bit breezy. We all sat in awe and listened as this humble man from Clearfield, Utah, made light of his heroism. He recounted the incident, sure enough, but then he got really quiet.

He said that he wasn’t the true hero of that day. The true hero, he said, was a Marine who fought on the ground at A Shau that day. Sadly, I cannot remember the man’s name. This Marine lost both legs when a shell hit his gunnery position, slaughtering his entire squad. He removed his belt and the belt of a fallen comrade and improvised tourniquets around the ruin of his legs. Then he manned the machine gun and provided cover fire for Colonel Fisher and other embattled Marines, allowing them to withdraw.

He died at that machine-gun post.

I wish I could remember his name, but I can’t.

But our Heavenly Father knows who he is.

I am a veteran.  I and my family have made sacrifices for the cause of liberty.  But tomorrow is not about veterans.  Many of us will visit the graves of loved ones tomorrow, and it is fitting that we should do so on any day, but tomorrow is a day to remember those who gave their lives to defend our freedom and the freedom of others. 

So while you are enjoying a day off from work (if you are fortunate enough to do so), while you are barbequing with family and friends, going to the movies, or just resting at home, take some time to thank your Heavenly Father for the sacrifice of those who purchased your freedom with their blood. 

Perhaps you have strong feelings about the Vietnam War or the current war against the forces of evil who want to destroy our freedoms and force us all to live as they according to their twisted belief system.  You may or may not agree with how the war is being fought.  You may think it is past time for our troops to come home.  You may believe that we should not be fighting this war at all, that we should never have fought it. 

Tomorrow, please remember and thank God for those who willingly paid the price so that you are free to express such an opinion without fear of punishment, prison, or loss of life.