Pearl Harbor: From Chaos Comes Courage

On this morning 69 years ago, the calm of Hawaii was shattered as the Japanese ambushed Pearl Harbor and brought the United States into World War II. In the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dec. 7, 1941, is “a date which will live in infamy.” Truer words could not be spoken.

Unfortunately war is a difficult reality that continues even today, but from chaos comes courage. This is what I ask you to ponder today. Take a moment to be grateful for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines and their families who answer the call to keep us safe. Thank a veteran, be proud of our flag and never forget the sacrifices of our troops who preserve peace on our home soil and fight our enemies abroad.

Pearl Harbor is one of America’s deepest scars, but it should also be a reminder of the patriotic pride and American heroism that led us to victory in World War II. If not for our armed forces, we could not be free. Think about that today.

God bless our troops, past and present. And may God continue to bless America.

A Salute to our Soldiers on Memorial Day

While many people have big plans with family and friends this holiday weekend, I hope everyone takes a moment to remember the meaning of Memorial Day. The traditional barbecues, concerts and sporting events all make for great fun, but they are merely the rituals and not the reason for this day.

A worthy tribute if ever there was one, Memorial Day remembers those men and women who died in military service while wearing the uniform of our great country. Today, as we enjoy the freedom and festivities made possible by our servicemen and women, let us not forget the families who view Memorial Day through somber eyes. They will never forget the loss of their loved ones and neither should we. Wearing the uniform of the United States requires the utmost courage and sacrifice - and for many, that sacrifice runs painfully deep.

Please take a moment to pray for the families of these men and women, and thank someone who has so bravely and selflessly sacrificed to ensure we have a free and sovereign nation under God. As we salute our heroes in the armed forces, I also salute you, the everyday heroes who keep Texas on the road to prosperity.

The Wall That Heals

I am beginning this holiday weekend with a somber reminder of what Memorial Day commemorates - the courageous men and women who died in military service for our blessed nation. I will blog more about our debt to these heroes later this weekend, but wanted to share some photos and talk about what I saw on Thursday.

The Wall that Heals is on display in Sugar Land this weekend. “The Wall” is a traveling half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. that visits communities throughout the United States. Viewing the 58,261 names of our fallen soldiers will take your breath away. It also makes you proud to be an American as it reminds you of the service and sacrifice of our brave military men and women, and their families who suffer unbearable heartache so we may live free. Let us never forget.

The Wall that Heals will be at the Sugar Land Memorial Park through Memorial Day. I encourage you to pay a visit and offer your respect at The Wall and in your heart this Memorial Day weekend.