Saying Thank You to Our Military

I have been around the military since birth.  

I wrote last Veterans Day about my connection to the military through my father, my father-in-law, brother, grandparents.  I also have met some amazing people in the last few years through social media that were in the military – Wally Bock, Josh Letourneau, Joe Gerstandt, Lisa Rosenthal, Tammy Colson (I'm sure there are others.)  I've worked with some (Dave Breedlove) – and studied in college with some (the guy who fought in Viet Nam and always wore the army jacket and had coffee with me in the student union every day in college.)

Military folks always make me feel inadequate.

• I've never held a gun let alone used one.
• I've never left my home to move in with 20 strangers, crawl in the mud and train in a strange town with no real family to speak of to support me.
• I've never donned a bullet-proof vest to do my job each day.
• I've never had to cover my ears as bombs and explosives went off around me.
• I've never had to think about not coming home from work.
• I've never thought that what I did each day actually impacted over 350 million US citizens – and most of the 6 billion people in the world.
• I've never chosen a direction that was less about me and more about everyone else.
• I've never had to know that other people’s lives depended on me doing my job right.
• I've never had to depend on the person next to me for my life.

While I may feel inadequate around these folks... I also feel very lucky. 

I’m lucky because I live in a country where people like Wally, Josh, Joe, my Dad and my brother – take that responsibility on themselves.

Thank you.

To each of you - and to everyone who has served and is serving our nation, and me - Thank you.

UPDATE:

@houshold6diva started a linky for those that are writing about Veterans Day - check her post (link to the linky at the bottom of her post - or here if you already  know what do to:  link to veterans day linky  )

Comments

[joe gerstandt]

Thanks Paul.

[Ann Marie @ Household 6 Diva]

Thank you, for saying Thank you.

Because we live in Germany, the internet is one of the few places I have the opportunity to interact with the non-military community. So I appreciate your words today.

Ann Marie

[Paul Hebert]

I should have probably said it - knowing how my Mom had to deal with the "military life" and how my mother-in-law had to work through issues while my father-in-law was flying over Viet Nam.

Thanks to the families that support our service folks - you guys rock too!

Thanks for commenting and I hope someone does something nice for you today!

[Eric Schwarzrock]

Well said. I’d like to add that…
• I’ve never had to make choices that mean so much to the cause.
• I’ve never had purpose like a soldier has purpose.
• I’ve never had the guts to leave it all behind and sacrifice because it’s just the right thing.
I too feel very lucky to know many vets, including my father and grandfather. The military and its cause represent true leadership and humility; traits that we all as humans can learn from. I like to add one more comment. One thing I’ve noticed about the veterans that I know is that they rarely blame outwardly. It is incredible how noble a veteran can be and how easily they’ll take blame and responsibility in any situation, especially when it’s a difficult one. Great post, thanks Paul.

[Paul Hebert]

Thanks Eric - great adds to the list!

[Patrick]

I sincerely respect veterans and soldiers who devote their energy, life for our country. I hope they can be safe all the time. However, this is just a dream. Soldiers' mission is to sacrifice their benefits or even lives to protect their people and homeland security. Anyway, happy veterans day.

[Paul Hebert]

Thanks Patrick for weighing in. As someone pointed out to me yesterday - Veterans Day is also a day to contemplate peace and to figure out how we can avoid the need for soldiers. While I too think a world without soldiers is a dream - it's a good one. And while we're waiting I'm happy too that we have strong, brave people willing to take on the mantle of that responsibility.

[Hallee the Homemaker]

I love this post. And the picture is amazing. Thank you.