Dear friends,

now, that the long and eventful Labor day weekend has passed a sombering feeling surrounds me like a bad weather cloud.
Let me explain first: In our beautiful small community of Payson, Utah Labor Day is special. It's the town's celebration we call 'Payson Golden Onion Days'. The carneval is in town, we have a bake-off competition, of course a parade. The whole town is dressed up, American Flags everywhere (as it should be).

There are car shows, baby contests and even a mud race. As the 'hometown author' I scheduled a book signing at the city's library. As time went on on this beautiful late summer day, people gathered just across the street from the library for a prayer for the ones who serve this great country and can't be here to celebrate with their families.

Instantly it comes to me; it seems like we always remember our heros overseas during a celebration. How come? I wonder. How come we have special time for a prayer for our soldiers at war and of course, the fallen heroes during a holiday? Shouldn't we do this daily?

Yes, I believe so! I'm challenging everyone- regardless of politics, opinions and views on the (any) war:
PRAY as if you mean it! It's okay if you're not close to God, if you're not a strong believer. But have those people in your heart and your thoughts who would sacrifice their lives for you.

Have you thought about this? I mean, - really let it linger? In a greater sence there are people out there who would catch a bullet for you while you indulge in our western civilization's overindulgence.

The very least we can do is honor those people with a daily thought and prayer. Don't wait for the town's flag ceremony to get you in 'the mood' of being patriotic. I wasn't born in this country, I'm not even an American citizen, but my American flag shall fly proudly on my back porch, - always, not just on holidays!