May God Shed His Grace on Thee: By Mary Wroblewski

Grateful, Thanks, Blessing, Prayer, Appreciate, Indebted; these are all words that are synonymous with the two holidays we celebrate in November, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.  This year more than ever, I feel the need for these words and the heartfelt feelings these words evoke. 

As our military strives to rebuild and replenish its tools of war, it is simultaneously building up the mental and physical strength of the people that make up that grand machine tasked with the defense and protection of our great nation and its citizens.  I wish there were better words, better celebrations, better ways to support the brave men and women who have pledged to serve this country through whatever means necessary.   These men and women ask so little of the communities they live in, yet their contribution is great.

We in Wayne County are home to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. How many of us do anything to contribute to the welfare or show our gratitude for those who serve there, and their families?  Is it too much to ask that our community does its best to ensure those on Base feel welcome in our community and safe when venturing outside the gates? 

One way to support locally, is to: show up Tuesday November 11^th, 1100 AM, Downtown Goldsboro-Center Street for our amazing Veteran’s Day parade, honoring those who served in our United States Armed Forces; another is to say a prayer, for the safety and protection of those serving and their families, and for those now retired, whenever you hear “jet noise”. Can you imagine the prayers going up each day to the mighty God we serve?  What a hug that would feel like to military members, active duty and retired.  It doesn’t take time or money to show you care and appreciate those who serve or those who have served our country so faithfully.  So, THANK them for their service, pray for them, show up for them.

On November 27^th we celebrate Thanksgiving, the ONE day of the year set aside to express our gratitude for ALL of our blessings.  It is a lovely day and a great reminder of the bounty we in America enjoy, in the land of the free, because of the brave.  We gather with family and friends, share a meal, and for a day, remember the blessings we enjoy every day.  We live in not only a beautiful agricultural county, but a beautiful country, where we are free to explore, live and worship as we choose.  In the US, we enjoy freedoms that few countries in the world will ever achieve.  These freedoms my friends, is, the core of these United States.

Please join me Wayne County in praying that God will continue to “shed His grace” on our country, its citizens, and ALL those who keep it FREE.  My sincere THANK YOU to ALL our Veterans and best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving Wayne County.