Tie a Yellow Ribbon

A young soldier from our church arrived in Afghanistan this week to begin his tour of duty. He is in an area that the military has nicknamed "the Wild West." For the next six to nine months he will be in harm's way.

Before Michael left, I told him that we would pray for him every day. Unfailingly. So this morning as we sat down to breakfast we mentioned him by name and asked God to protect him not only physically, but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Then we turned on the news and heard that Canada had suffered its 144th casualty. Private Kevin McKay, 24, from Richmond Hill had been killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) while on foot patrol only two days before his tour of duty was to end. Imagine the impact on Michael and his parents, brother and sister!

In support of our troops, Michael's family and friends are distributing yellow ribbons through our church. Yesterday, we tied our ribbon to our lamp post. It will be a message to our neighbours and a reminder to ourselves that we have sons and daughters in the most dangerous part of the world.

Our troops have courageously placed themselves in a position where there is the constant possibility of making the ultimate sacrifice for freedom's sake. Please join us in tying a yellow ribbon to a tree or post where you live as a visual reminder to always keep them and their families in our thoughts and prayers.