Veteran's Day

 

Honoring the following:

Aaron Miner-US Air Force-Iraq and Afghanistan

Zach Grimm-US Army-Iraq and Afghanistan PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT

Derek Wagner-US Navy-Iraq 

Stephen Miner-US Army - Afghanistan

Ray Gooch -US Army- Viet Nam Era

Robert Miner-US Navy - World War II

Gil Diamond- US Air Force-World War II or Korea (please correct me if I'm wrong)

I am so proud of each one, every one of these men. They have seen the best of America, the worst of America and have had the strength and courage to pursue freedom in spite of or because of it all. How do you thank someone that makes your life normal? How do you look someone in the eye and say the physical pain and emotional scars they carry for the remainder of their life means so much to me?

It strikes me as amazing that they are willing to give the "best" part of their lifetime, the part where they are the strongest and most able to carry the weight of insuring freedom for those who aren't willing or aren't able to do so. Many are left with deep scars and all are changed for the rest of their life.

Families share the burden, moms and dads wonder if their kids they raised will come home, wives wonder if they will have a husband that will come home in relative "sameness" if they do come home at all. Children have to learn early about "good guys" and "bad guys', but get the amazing honor to know their dad is truly a hero and they are a huge part of that heroism.

So, I guess you start with gratefulness that you can look them in they eye, that you can give them a hug, and that you can say "Thank You", it's not a simple sacrifice they made, it's not something everyone is willing to do and it's a BIG DEAL!!

These 7 men and many more like them are a BIG DEAL!! And I love them. Thank you, deeply, truly, Thank You. Now get a Kleenex, wipe your eyes and blow your nose, you big softies...