Where are the heroes?
The sports community took some big hits this week and last. It has disappointed many in America and across the world.
Last week the Baseball Hall of Fame announced that no candidates received enough votes for entry into Cooperstown. This year’s ballot included 37 candidates, 24 in the lineup were first time nominees. Several of these athletes were tied to performance-enhancing drugs, greatly diminishing their chances of ever entering the Hall of Fame. This class includes Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa, all of whom posted Hall of Fame-worthy numbers during their careers but were clouded by PED suspicion. Clemens earned 37.6 percent of the vote, Bonds got 36.2 percent and Sosa got 12.5 percent.
Recently, Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong admitted to using PEDs. Last year, he lost all seven of his Tour titles due to a 1,000 page report from the US Anti-Doping Agency. The massive report exposed his extensive drug use and multiple methods of trying to circumvent sports cycling rules. The agency deposed 11 former teammates and accused Armstrong of masterminding a complex and brazen drug program that included steroids, blood boosters, and a range of other performance-enhancers.
While athletes and sports stars are frequently viewed as heroes, these events should remind us what heroism truly looks like. A hero is a person of distinguished courage, bravery, ability, and noble qualities. The heroes have not left our nation, we just forget what they look like and how they behave.
Courage is shown through the service of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines everyday. They demonstrate the meaning of sacrifice through their actions and dedicated service. Bravery is shown through the actions of police officers in every community. They run into buildings that crowds exit when trouble rears its ugly head. Ability is shown by countless firemen. They react to emergencies and execute teamwork in order to save lives and property. Honesty, integrity, generosity, and kindness can be seen through the daily actions of mothers and fathers across our nation.
Our country is full of heroes, we just fail to recognize who they truly are.
As this week will focus on stars from Hollywood and the sports page. Teach your children to recognize a hero. Let them know what qualities are important in life. Show them that common folks in your community can be some of the greatest examples of doing the right thing.
God Squad 
National Marriage Week 2013
Posted in Military Marriages, News & Commentary, tagged army, benefits of marriage, chaplain, god squad, marriage, marriage matters, military marriage, national marriage week 2013, pastor, valentine's day on February 10, 2013| 2 Comments »
You can ask anyone about marriage and the answer will almost always be the same. I want a good, strong, happy marriage. No one stands at the altar and says, “I’ll give you the best five years of my life.”
Polls and surveys share the same information on marriage. The vast majority of people desire happy, lasting marriages, whether rich or poor, male or female, and regardless of cultural background.
The big secret about marriage is that it works. Yes, I said it, marriage works. While out-of-wedlock birth rates are high and divorce rates are higher, marriage works. Look at the last thirty years of research; married couples are happier, live longer, and build greater financial security. Children with married parents perform better in school, have better physical health, have lower rates of suicide, and experience fewer cases of child abuse. Click here for new research on “Why Marriage Matters: Thirty Conclusions from Social Science.”
Deep down, everyone wishes they could have a rewarding lifelong commitment with their spouse. But in the midst of challenges, we forget how marriage can benefit our personal lives. We are losing our determination and the skills to keep marriages healthy and strong.
February 7-14, 2013 is National Marriage Week. This time is set aside to focus on the institution of marriage and strengthen it at a national level. This is a collaborative effort that encourages groups to strengthen individual marriages, reduce the divorce rate, and build a stronger marriage culture. The website offers several marriage resources, event guides, reading lists, and videos on how to build a satisfying marriage.
As we approach Valentine’s Day, let us focus on the skills that can strengthen our relationships and keep our marriages intact. Here are a couple of goals or reminders for a healthy marriage:
Remember why you fell in love and think how hard you worked to maintain your romance. After marriage, we normally encounter a period of time when couples spend less time on their relationship due to kids, careers, and other factors. Take time to reconnect, go on a date, and rekindle the romance in your marriage. Use National Marriage Week as a way to strengthen your marriage and focus on the one you love.
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