Posted By:
Catherine Moy
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What happens when the sun is casting warm rays in a family park and hundreds of patriots show up to thank American troops? The whole world will soon see when commercials are aired nationally to thank our Armed Forces.

Film crews worked several hours on Tuesday as flag-waving patriots, veterans, and even active duty servicemen and women showed up for a day of honoring our troops at Sacramento’s Land Park. More than 100 folks made greeting cards, sang, and packed boxes of goods for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“We will never forget, never, the sacrifices of our men and women,” Gold Star mother Debbie Lee told the crowd.  Blue Star Mother Deborah Johns talked about what it’s like to have a child serving overseas during he holidays.  ‘It is very difficult to have an empty chair at the table,” Johns said, as her voice broke with emotion.

During the early party of the gathering, the Young Marines acted as Color Guard and held Old Glory throughout the rally. Nothing can make me smile like children who understand what it means to love the United States of America.

Diana Nagy, who has the voice of an angel, overwhelmed the crowd with her singing and encouraged everybody to sing with her. A wave of warmth, of intense spirit, drew all together. We were there to support our troops, not just with words, but with gifts of love, faith and trust.

Of course, we are all sending cards, cookies, coffee, jerky, and other goodies that our men and women enjoy. But our troops ask for nothing. At the very least, we can give our prayers and support.

I am amazed everyday as I work with the folks at Move America Forward, the volunteers who come in the middle of the week and prepare soldiers’ packages. They were all busting their hind-ends on Tuesday, making sure every child had crayons for drawing cards, and the elderly had water and a place to sit.

These are the same people who stand up to those who demean our troops, who attack our recruiters such as the officers in Berkeley. I was not around during World War II, but I can imagine that the strength and determination that Americans felt after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor is the same thing we feel when we get together and work as a team for our troops and, ultimately, for our country.

My best friend, Melanie Morgan, who is also chairman of Move America Forward, is an inspiration. She selflessly puts the needs of our troops ahead of herself. She doesn’t flinch as hate-mongers attack her and take her words out of context. It is nothing, she believes, when it comes to her beloved American troops.

Move America Forward is nothing without its members and those who give of themselves to strengthen America against her enemies. After the rally on Tuesday, we all ate sandwiches and took a break – except for the children who can eat and make cards at the same time.

I listened to conversations between people who had never met. They shared stories of the times they served in Vietnam, Korea, or how they spent Thanksgiving and Christmas away from home.

In a way, it was a coming home for some. For others, it was our way to say thank you.