Today in the United States, we salute, honor, and remember the men and women who served our country in the U.S. Armed Forces and paid the ultimate price. To me, it is a huge sacrifice to decide to serve in the armed forces to protect the freedoms of people you do not even know. Much less, these days, many people do not even respect those who served.
I was not able to serve. Charcot-Marie-Tooth gave me physical challenges at an early age so it kept me from serving. To be honest, I’m not sure what I would have done if I could have served. Would it have been the Air Force? Navy? Army? Coast Guard? At this point in life, I really do not know.
However, growing up in an area where several neighbors, family friends, and friends from school were serving in the military, I had several friends who went served after high school or college. I remember one friend who everyone in high school liked was serving somewhere in the Middle East and lost his life because of an attack.
I married an “Air Force Brat!” as she likes to call herself. I have learned quite a bit about what happens with the families of those who serve. Sometimes, a spouse is left alone for months while one spouse is overseas. Or, a spouse has a duty to fulfill so the family cannot attend an event. Or, a spouse serving has to miss many important family events, like graduation or marriage, because they are serving away from home. The sacrifices are endless and these do not even begin to describe what the families go through.
I have to say, that would be very hard for me to do. I would miss my family incredibly! I don’t like being away from my spouse more than a few hours or maybe a day but not for more than that.
Thank you to all the families of those whose family served in the U.S. Armed Forces and paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. Thank you isn’t enough but I cannot think of any other words than that.
Thank you to the men and women of the US Armed Forces who are serving to protect our freedoms. Thank you for all you have done and are doing!