As I sit here with my coffee and comfortable pleasures, listening to newsfeeds and contemplating all the preparations for the upcoming holidays for work and home... Griping about this small thing HERE and that insignificant complaint THERE... I hear, Veterans Day. It occurred to me how fortunate I am. Among my greatest blessings is my freedom. This is a blessing to which I owe a great debt of gratitude to our heroes–the men and women of our armed forces. Because I am not in your shoes, I know I will never fully appreciate the sacrifices you make for me, your family, your friends and your country every day. However, I am especially reflective of my gratitude with the upcoming holiday season. Because, I realize your sacrifice is made even greater during this time away from YOUR loved ones. I can only imagine the pain and sacrifice. I post this as my #5... to express my sincere gratitude to all of our armed forces past and present for the excellent job that they do or have done. These men and women sacrifice their time, financial standing and at times their personal health to protect the freedoms that we all too often take for granted, and our politicians seem all too eager to curtail. Our armed service personnel truly risk life and limb and at times cant even get proper housing or medical care from the country that asks so much from them. We owe so much to these people, that I am not sure that we truly could EVER pay them back. How do you pay a person back who has been maimed in the line of duty? How do you pay a person back who suffers from PTSD, from the horrible things they have witnessed that have altered their perception of life? How do we pay back the families who have lost loved ones who have served on our behalf? Our politicians can learn a lot from these men and women who truly understand what DUTY and HONOR stand for. Im not sure if I would have what it takes to perform and carry-out all the tasks and duties of these incredible men and women. These people who DO have what it takes, deserve the best of everything that we are able to provide for them. Period!!! Id like to express a grateful THANK YOU!!! for all your sacrifices. You are selfless-you are courageous-and you are an essential part of us all and I love you for it!!! (Now, for the TWO you see pictured here...? I cannot tell you HOW MUCH I LOVE these INCREDIBLE, BeAuTiFuL people. For the obvious reasons, of course; but, also for what lies beneath the surface!!! They both have the most unique and distinctly different personalities. Just watch them, and youll see their determination, zeal, self-discipline, dedication, compassion and, an almost urgent need to assist anyone in need and bring end to any injustice. I know that last sentence sounds a bit over the top; but, they ARE just like that in their everyday existence. Its like a natural instinct to protect and serve in EVERY area of their life. They just live life as if doing the next right thing is whats most important. And, what THIS grateful American, mother (or, in YOUR cases, Mom-away-from-Mom!!! ^_^ ), wife, human being, associate... FRIEND... wants to say to you both personally? Thank you for enriching my life by just passing through it. Even if I had only been allowed the slighted touch of a meeting with you, my life would be greatly enriched. But, as Im allowed the great honor, and with my great pleasure, having gotten to know you both on such a great personal level, THANK YOU for all you do, have done and for just being whom you were created to be... just doesnt seem ENOUGH! I know that I am here because great men and women like you, BEFORE you, in your field, were here and sacrificed. Im proud to call you, friend, son, daughter! YOU are different. YOU are special. YOU are unique., Staff Sergeant Pardee (I hope he doesnt mind that I quoted him!)
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 23:28:39 +0000
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