Bonding with fellow Americans

One of the greatest values about American culture is the amount of reverence given to the final resting place of our veterans. The Veteran cemeteries I have been to are usually in hills and valleys – a place of serenity and heaven on the earth for our veterans. Here is what I have done over the years.

Every Memorial Day the soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) plant a flag in front of each grave marker in Arlington National Cemetery, Va. The flags represent our thanks for their service to our nation, the sacrifices they made and the blood they shed, regardless of their own backgrounds or faiths. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jose A. Torres Jr.)

On the Memorial Day in 2010, I drove from Louisville to Dallas, an 840 miles journey and stopped at every cemetery that was visible on the road side. I would recite a short prayer asking the creator to restore the balance on earth though forgiveness to those who have sinned and bring completeness to those who left incomplete transactions in life.  I particularly remember stopping at 4 national cemeteries, and there was one near Nashville on I-40 for the veterans, which was off the road, and I drove through a creek to get there and paid my homage to the men and women who died for my country’s freedom. It just feels good to be a part of the whole.

We acknowledge God as the sole creator and lord of the universe, and to him alone we worship and seek guidance, and ask him to help us guide on the right path. In the second supplication we ask God to forgive the ones who are alive, and the ones who are not, their parents, family, friends, believers and strangers.

This year I will miss visiting the National Cemetery in Grand Prairie, where my friend and father figure Mr. Everett Blauvelt is resting.  He served in the U.S. Navy off the coast of Brazil during World War II.  I will also be missing visiting the Islamic Cemetery in Denton, both in Texas to pay homage to my late wife Najma she passed away a decade ago.

Every cemetery I spot on the Memorial Day, I pull over and silently pray. Praying for the unknown connects you with the unselfish-self in you, giving a sense of oneness that is hard to explain. Try it and see how good you feel about yourselves and how you will develop a sense of bonding with fellow Americans – visit a cemetery, eventually we all have to go there.

Dear God, I thank you for the life and the freedom you have given me and my fellow humans,  and I thank all those who have sacrificed their lives for me to have this freedom to stand freely and pray here today.  I salute our men and women in the uniforms for protecting and defending our freedom. Amen.

Of the many things that brings serene happiness to the soul is the expression of gratitude  Thanks to our soldiers who fought in the wars to preserve that freedom for us, and the least we can do is honor them. If you see men and women in the uniform, please let them know that you appreciate them.

God bless America!

Mike Ghouse is committed to build a cohesive America where no American feels alienated.