Today, I want to pay tribute to all of those who have served in the military and even those who may not be in the military but are involved in the effort to keep our country safe.
Starting with my two favorites; my hubby and my little brother (USAF and USMC). I am so proud of their accomplishments throughout their time in the military and since they have departed (well my brother is still somewhat in). I should also add my father-in-law to this list. He is a favorite of mine and also served. Thank you, Grandfather B!
So, thank you to all of the people that I know that have served in the military.
Of course I extend this thank you to all of the service members that I do not know or have had the pleasure to meet in my recent travels. I have noticed since I have started to travel to different bases around the world that there are all sorts of people who join the military and even though several of the people in the military do not necessarily get deployed to a war zone, they all work together to support each other. Will is hesitant when receiving a thank you for his service since he did not get deployed during his time in the military, but I think he still deserves it. He was a firefighter which is definitely putting your life in harms way and if things had been different and he stayed in longer he would have definitely been deployed. There are many people who have desk jobs that will not be going to the Middle East but they still choose to walk a path that makes sacrificing their life a strong possibility. I have worked with a lot of SVM lately that now have a desk job but had been deployed several times with their prior duties. It just kind of falls the way it is suppose to fall. Having gone to the Middle East myself and seeing where the SVM sleep, eat, and entertain themselves on the weekend; I definitely have a new found respect for those that are deployed. I was there during the summer and it is HOT, dry and plain miserable. Especially if you are near a tarmac...crazy hot! These people are taking themselves away from their loved ones to fight for the country they love and believe in. It is a beautiful thing. Heartbreaking but beautiful.
So, thank you to all of you I do not know.
I know that this is Veteran's Day, but there are also people that are non-military that support our country and our troops that deserve recognition. Being in the military is not the only way to be patriotic or to do your part. On the plane going to the Middle East I met several people who were civilians but going to different war zones for welding and other such things. They may not be carrying a gun for our country but they are still putting their lives at risk to help support our troops.
I recently cut out an article in the Washington Post that a Officer wrote after returning from Afghanistan (I believe) about a local boy that joined their cause. This boy (who they believe lied about his age) joined them as a translator after seeing his two best buddies beheaded after refusing to join the Al Qaeda that came to their school. I cannot even imagine. He was not able to see his family afraid of repercussions that could occur but he still chose to join the fight. He sadly was killed, probably not even 18.
So, thank you to the non-military folks doing their part.
Happy Veteran's Day!
I am a quote freak so here you go:
"The dead soldier's silence sings our national anthem." -Rev. Aaron Kilbourn
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." -John Fitzgerald Kennedy
...And one that I truly wish would come true...
"I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, 'Mother, what was war?'" -Eve Merriam
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