Today's post is in conjunction with the Blog-A-Licious Blog Tour: a fantastic blog hop that brings together bloggers of all genres, backgrounds, and locations. I definitely recommend the blog featured before mine in today's hop: LIFE THROUGH LUCYLASTICA'S LENSE ; and the author's blog featured after mine: RYDER ISLINGTON'S BLOG. Do stop by and say Hello, as several blogs on the tour are having giveaways and contests. Enjoy!
Free Food for Thought
In the United States, we take freedom for granted at all levels – from the major rights like voting and free speech, to the lesser ones like being able to choose what we read and what we wear.
And what we eat.
When I was a little girl, my Army dad would bring home extra MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) after drill weekends and I would love to drop the dried fruit blocks into water to bring fruit cocktail to life, or stick the cassette-tape-sized squares marked “BBQ” into the microwave to see if they’d come out anything like my mom’s pork chops. But, believe me, the meals were only “treats” because they were exciting and different to my 6-year-old palette; I’m fairly confident that our servicemen and women don’t find much savory in their field rations (along with most aspects of their jobs), but they persevere without complaint and they do it for complete strangers like us.
So as you’re enjoying a hot dog and beer (and not just on the 4th of July), think of what soldiers around the world are sacrificing at that same moment for your freedom to eat, and then give thanks because, as Toby Keith so musically put it, that Freedom don't come free.
I love eating the MREs when I was young. I am very proud and thankful of the men and women who serve America. Because of them, I know why freedom is. Happy (early) Independence Day!
ReplyDeleteMy husband was a Marine for 11 years ( ok still is according to him) and he used to complain about MRE's all the time now that he has been out for a few years he wishes he had a stock of them to take on fishing/hunting/ camping trips lol says he misses them!
ReplyDeleteShelley, my daughter is a Marine. I understand what you are saying completely. My son-in-law went to Iraq twice. MREs were their mainstay at times. Bless you!
ReplyDeleteAs a former military member, MRE's are yummy lol well some are... ie beef ravioli with the sesame pound cake... but you usually take what they give you *fingers crossed* =) my husband is still in, but so far he hasnt had to eat an MRE yet....
ReplyDeleteand to @Marjie- your husband can still get them from your local Military base if you have your mil. ID... or you can purchase them online. Search for military surplus MRE ....
Love this post! Thanks Shelley for the read!
In the Army I had to eat many an MRE. They weren't as bad as their predecessors the A-rations, food vacuum-sealed in the 50s. I had to eat meat from a pig slaughtered before my parents were born. Everything had a slightly green tinge, and I believe this is what inspired Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham. MREs were gourmet by comparison, especially when they introduced the chemical heat packs. I liked the dried fruit best. I'd just eat it straight.
ReplyDeletewww.bryanrdennis.com
The more I read other people's blogs, the more I realize how small and sheltered my own life is. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding us that others are sacrificing to protect the freedoms we take for granted.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I always try to keep in mind isn't a given for everyone in this world, that I just lead a life luckier than others. Thank you.
ReplyDeletethanks for reminding us about the true meaning of freedom and what it means to us all.
ReplyDeleteawesome post ty for putting abetter perspective on things never tried mres myefiancee and dad were both in the navy and i was told stories lol
ReplyDeleteGood going,keep it up. Good article,I like it really interesting.Give more information of this topic. Included more things in future in this blog. disaster food aid
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