Special Veterans Day Post

To those who once wore the battle uniform and combat boots, you are thanked. Although life has returned a more normal routine, we still hold the stories, scars, emotions, and traits of a life once lived in uniform. For whatever reason; personal, family tradition, we chose to face a fear, we chose to run to the call of service to our country! With that we have been left with "yellow footprints" still holding on to the soles of our shoes. With that, we gave up our rights, we gave up many holidays, we gave up the comforts of the American life that it is so easy to take for granted. For this, we chose to face the many discomforts that comes military service. That service also comes with stories that we can tell and look back and laugh at, cry at, or simply have to explain for others to understand.

From the time of this countries revolutionary beginnings, to civil unrest, and to the greatest generation we had veterans who created a life that we can call an American life. And to the Vietnam veteran who helped create social change and to the Desert Storm, Iraq and Afganistan Veteran who helped kept this country safe. To the current service members who will be American Veterans in their own time, this country could not or would not be this country without you!

I one of five American Veterans in my family line. My great paternal grandfather, both my paternal and maternal grandfathers, and my uncle. All United States Army Veterans. I am the only female in that line. I am the only United States Marine Corps Veteran in that line. All from different American conflicts, from World War I and II, Vietnam, and to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

If it were not for those who came before me, to open up opportunities for me, I would not have had such an opportunity to live the life I have and because of that, I thank you!

Thank you to all Veterans for life you have lived...