Aunt Jennie was WAAC

Memorial Day is a confusing time for my emotions. War is a horrible thing, and it’s hard for me to understand why we haven’t found a better way to deal with conflict by 2016. But Memorial Day isn’t about a concept, it’s about the people who have willingly joined the military—for honor or passion or the youthful need for direction and a paycheck. Sometimes they fight for those of us at home, and sometimes they fight for people they’ve never met in countries they didn’t know existed. Immaculée Ilibagiza’s Left to Tell convinced me that refusing to fight can do more damage than going to war. So, I’m being vulnerable here and admitting my mixed feelings, in hopes that my friends who are pacifists and my friends who are veterans or still serving will love me anyway and enjoy today’s celebration.

Several people in my family served in WWII, but Aunt Jennie Reich is the one whose pictures I have. She was a WAAC (Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps). My hyperbolic grandpa called her a “lantern-jawed, hard-looking woman, who looked like she got hit in the face with a spade, but she married a good-lookin’ man.” She looks like a lot of fun to me.

Perhaps one of the best ways to change the tradition of war is to invade hearts. Compassion International teaches people to love God and others, and gives them skills that will help them build careers and healthy families. People are much less prone to fight when life no longer seems hopeless. I’d love for you to click the link on my homepage and sponsor a child today. If you can’t sponsor a child, you can help by donating those pesky leftover gift cards from Christmas—you know the ones with $1.31 or 78 cents left on them that you’ll never use. Get them out of your junk drawer and click here to donate.

Also, if you haven’t seen them, I’m doing a daily 1-2 minute video on Facebook Live, Monday through Friday at 6pm CST. Join me for 1 Minute of Wisdom.