So Much Love and Respect for Our Veterans
Hi friends!!
Happy Monday!!
Today is a special day- it's Veteran's Day.
I know a lot of people get mixed up with the meaning of what we celebrate on Veteran's Day (versus the meaning of Memorial Day)-- today we honor any man or woman who has served in a branch of the United States Armed Forces.
Aaron and I are both incredibly privileged to have multiple family members who have served or are currently serving in a branch of the Armed Forces. We both grew up with a strong respect for the United States Military; and now as adults, understand the seriousness and true sacrifice that is made on our behalf by all of the people serving in our Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force.
Today,
I would love to share a little bit more about the Veterans in our family and shine a little light on their service for our country!
My dad's father was in the Army and fought in WWII. I unfortunately never met him, as he passed away when my dad was in college- but my dad spoke so highly of his service and how it shaped his career as a physician!
My mom's father, my grandpa, was in Pearl Harbor, when it was attacked by the Japanese on December 7, 1941. He was 17 years old, had just joined the Navy and was loading up his submarine. My grandfather then went on to serve 30 years in the Navy as a chief engineer on submarines. He would go out for 6 months and be home for 6 months. My mom and SEVEN sisters had the unique and amazing experience of being part of a military family and lived all over the East Coast. The stories and experiences my grandfather has from his 30 year career in the Navy were nothing short of amazing and he always shared them with so much humility.
Aaron's dad served in the Texas Army National Guard for 6 years and was a Military Policeman while serving!
My Dad, served in the U.S. Navy for 25 years and retired as a Commander. I remember growing up my dad going to "drill" on the weekends, as well as when he had to do his yearly training at Camp Pendleton. I didn't like him being gone, but we were so proud of him! My dad told me so many times throughout his life that the Navy was one of the best things he had done with his life.
Both of my brothers served in the Army National Guard while they were in college. My brother Garret, got "called up" several times while he was in college, to serve as a military police man in Germany, Panama, and several places in the U.S. He served for 6 years in the Army before transitioning to the corporate world :)
After college, my brother Michael, got commissioned as an Officer in the U.S. Navy. He is now a Captain in the Navy and his "job" in the Navy is a critical care pulmonologist. He has spent two years running the ICU department at the Naval Hospital in Guam and did a year long tour in the Middle East, running the ICU of one of the biggest fleet hospitals in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He gets to currently call San Diego is home :)
Aaron's brother was commissioned as a Marine Corps Officer when he graduated from college. He is a Major in the Marine Corps Reserve and is a pilot. He has done NUMEROUS overseas tours, including multiple deployments to the Middle East. He is an incredible leader and just an all around amazing man.
I think we can all get so caught up in our lives and make the biggest deal out of the smallest things. We forget that there are SO many people really living with BIG STUFF in their every day lives...and when it comes to being in the military- it is a choice to sacrifice parts of their OWN LIVES to serve OUR country.
There are so many organizations that help support our Veteran's- just a few of them are:
If you are so inclined, I encourage you to take just a little bit of time today to say a prayer for our Veterans AND their family members or better yet- if you see someone in uniform today- approach them and THANK them.
With respect, honor and gratitude-
I say THANK YOU to our Veteran's today.
I hope you have the BEST day and a wonderful start to your week!!
That you for sharing this! Happy Veteran's Day to your family and thank you for their service!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much to all of your family members who served or are serving. That's quite a legacy on both sides of your family. In our family, I have one grandfather who was a marine in WWII in the Pacific, a step-grandfather who was in the army in WWII in Europe, and my father-in-law who was in the Air Force in Vietnam.
ReplyDelete