Thank You

Veteran's Day is dedicated to the men and women who served or are currently serving in the armed forces. It is a day to remember their sacrifice, their dedication, their devotion to each and every one of us. It is a day that humbles me.

These men and women sacrifice much to serve our country, such as time with family or delaying their education. Reservists put off career goals to serve full-time. Often military members endure physical discomforts at their assigned posts overseas. Many sustain injury or lose their lives.

Their families also make sacrifices. Dad or Mom isn't there for birthdays or Christmas. Often Dad misses the birth of a child. Families worry daily about the safety of their loved ones serving overseas. They mourn terribly when their loved one doesn't come home alive.

I have a friend whose cousin died while deployed overseas. My nephew was deployed for a year when his son was 2 and his daughter was 1 month old. He will miss her entire first year of life and a year of great growth and change in his son. A co-worker who is a reservist was called to active duty for a year. One month before his release, he was called to another year of active duty. He has a wife and children who are left behind, wondering when he will come back. I have a great-uncle who endured many operations following schrapnel wounds sustained in war. Many familes are separated even in times of peace because the family cannot go onboard ship or to overseas assignments.

I am truly grateful to all the military men and women, and their families and friends, who sacrifice so much for the freedoms that we all enjoy. Thank you.