Our servicemen and law enforcement officers do not take on their duties “for the money.” No amount of money is worth risking your life every single day. Yet they do it. Why? I’ve never quite understood it until I got to know one of these men who served both in the military and is a local police officer.

Why does he risk his life every day? Honestly, I haven’t even asked him this question yet. But I’ve learned a lot by observation. These words come to mind: patriotism, honor, valor, compassion and selflessness. This man will charge into the fray, risking life and limb when others’ lives are in danger. His ability to love runs deeper and his compassion truer than any other man I’ve encountered.

When you combine these compassionate attributes with the instinct to do whatever it takes to serve and protect, you have a truly remarkable combination. Granted, not every service man/woman or law enforcement officer may be like him, but I dare say many of his brothers and sisters are.

In memory of the (now) 5 servicemen who died as a result of Thursday's domestic terrorism in Chattanooga, TN
In memory of the (now) 5 servicemen who died as a result of July 16, 2015 domestic terrorism in Chattanooga, TN

As I’ve listened to news reports about the killings in Chattanooga (and realize had it occurred one county over the man I care about could have been involved) I have experienced a complexity of emotions.

In the end, one question keeps coming to my mind, “How dare we? How dare we be as haphazard and careless as to put these brave souls at further risk by brazenly offering amnesty to millions with a sweeping stroke of pen?” Have sufficient background checks been run on these individuals? Is there even a background check that can reveal what lies dormant in someone’s heart? Recent events in Chattanooga would suggest otherwise.

Yes, we are a nation of immigrants. Yes, I believe in allowing others to seek freedom in this country through proper channels. But it seems to me that we’re spitting in the faces of our best, bravest souls when we are so careless and unfeeling of their daily sacrifices. Something has to change, and I hope Americans will wake up and have compassion for those who serve and protect us to their dying breaths.

About Marnie Pehrson Kuhns

Marnie Pehrson Kuhns is a Certified SimplyAlign Practitioner™ who uses music and creativity to mentor you past barriers, fears and doubts to discover, create, align with, and deliver your soul’s song (the mission, message or purpose you are on this earth to live). Marnie is a best-selling author with 31 fiction and nonfiction titles. If you'd like Marnie and her husband Dave to work with you personally on Your Great Reinvention, get a FREE 20-minute strategy session with Marnie here.