My deepest gratitude...

Today is veteran's day.  A day our nation sets aside to honor those who have bravely served our country.  I think it is an honorable holiday, but for many people it just means a day off of work.  To me this is a tragedy.  I will admit that, up until 7 years ago, that person was me.  I knew soldiers had fought for us, and don't get me wrong, I was grateful to them for helping form this great country.  However, I had no idea just how much they had sacrificed until I became a soldier's wife.  Now every year Veteran's Day and Memorial Day, esp Memorial Day, brings a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes.  Nothing I can say or do will ever be enough to thank all the brave men and women that have served our country, either willingly or by the draft.  These men and women give up the freedom of the way of life most American's take for granted.  They go were they are told to go, they eat when they are told to eat, sleep when they are told to sleep.  They go without regular food or sleep if that is what they are asked to do.  They sacrifice time with the ones that they love without question.  They willingly accept long hours on cold ground, in less then favorable conditions all so that they can train and be ready if and when that call comes.  They will leave their families for long periods of time, missing many major milestones and events, because their country needs them.  Our modern day soldiers are blessed to have e-mail, phone and even video chat options now to stay in contact with their loved ones.  I can't even imagine how hard it was for the soldiers of WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Korea, the Golf War and all the other conflicts that caused them to leave their families for months to years without being able to communicate and know what was going on back home.  These men and women, the soldiers of bygone eras and of the present day, they are truly my heroes.  I will go out of my way to thank a veteran.  And let me share this with you, there are many a veteran I have thanked who, even though they have been through the rough road of war, will choke up when a young person like me sincerely thanks them from the heart.  I have seen it over and over again as they realize their sacrifices are not forgotten and are truly appreciated.  I have also see the pain in a soldier's eye when someone who thinks they know better about war and misrepresents or disrespects what they have sacrificed so much to give.  So, whether or not you believe in war and whether or not you agree with all our military has asked these men and women to do, PLEASE take the time today, and every chance you get to thank our country's veterans.  We are fast losing our brave WWII veterans...you might be the last one to thank them...so take the time.  Take the time when you see some one wearing a Veteran hat to thank them.  If you see someone proudly wearing a military t-shirt, sweatshirt, or hat ask them what their connection is to that military branch.  Then tell them to thank that veteran who has touched their life, or if they have served themselves ask to shake their hand, look them in the eye and THANK THEM!  They have touched our lives, in so many unseen ways, the least we can do is briefly touch theirs in this little way.  So join me today and everyday in thanking our great veterans!  May God bless you each and every one, and today especially our brave veterans!