Not too many years after High School, one of my buddies and most popular guys in the school, lost his life while serving our country. I have another friend who suffered mental health issues after his years of service and have had the honor of meeting many men and women who served our country well. To them, and their families who served by supporting their Service Member, I say a huge “Thank You!”
Did I serve? No, Charcot-Marie-Tooth was evident in me so it prevented me from military service. I think my circumstance caused me to be ever so grateful for those who are willing to stand up and serve.
Today, as you celebrate a day off from work and school, take the time to say “Thank You” to a service member. When I have done this, usually I get a response of “You’re Welcome!” along with a huge smile.
When I was younger, the draft was still happening. I was a bit afraid of being drafted and serving. To be honest, at the time I did not know why nor understand except that I knew I was different from the other guys. I didn’t realize that Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) was affecting me in the ways it did. Had I been drafted, I would have gone but they would have found I was not physically-able to serve.
Over the years of life, I appreciated those who served as I grew up in an area where quite a few of my neighbors and friends were with the U.S. Armed Forces in one way or another. I remember many stories of active duty or serving in the offices.
Also, I remember losing friends along the way because they gave the ultimate sacrifice. Many of them would have told you, if they could, that they died doing what they loved to do “protecting our freedoms.” Not too many years after I graduated from high school, a friend I had graduated with was killed in a bombing overseas. Broke my heart.
Today, I want to honor those fallen heroes to worked to protect our freedoms and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Also, for me, I feel like I can never ever say “thank you” enough to anyone who has spent their lives serving in the United State Armed Forces. So, I want to thank them today too.
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!
