Happy Veterans Day

That kind of sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? But to all who have served, past and present, thank you so much for your sacrifice and service. And to the families of those who have served, may God bless and keep you, always.

Both my hubby and I were born at Martin Army, Ft. Benning, GA. Both of our fathers were career military, and served multiple wartime tours. My father spent over thirty-four years in. Members of my family have done various stints in the Army, Marines, and Navy, during both peace and wartime.

Hubby and I were originally supposed to get married Nov 18, 1990. We had everything paid and prepped when he was activated for duty Aug 1990 (Desert Storm). That was one of the scariest moments of my life. He was Transportation Corp (stationed at Ft. Eustis) and they’re always the first in. Ironically, I was working as a Civ Contractor at Ft. MacPherson at that time. My father was Infantry and my FIL a combat pilot. Hubby and I ended up eloping in a goat pasture because we didn’t know if he’d be home in time for the planned wedding.

Both hubby and his father went to military colleges. I’m proud to say that there has never been a war for this country that many of my family didn’t fight and bleed in (or in some cases, die), including the current one. I’m even a proud member of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), and that membership through both my Native American and European roots.

I remember growing up, my mother had all these photos of me as a baby with notes written on the back. Sherri’s first steps. Sherri’s first real food, etc. It wasn’t until I was older that she told me it was because my father was at war and didn’t get a chance to see me until I was a toddler. Those were the photos she sent to him, hoping he’d get them. Some were sent while he was MIA and it was how she coped. She pretended he was all right and continued to write every week, even though she had no idea where he was or if he was still alive.

She said it was so embarrassing for her because I would latch on to anyone wearing a uniform and ask them if they were my daddy. Since we lived at Ft. Benning, I grabbed on to a lot men, LOL. But all I knew was that my father was a soldier and since I had yet to meet him…

Once my father returned, he used to take me to work with him. Believe it or not, I thought he owned the Army. Since he was a Drill SGT, everyone seemed to do what he told them. And I’d sit in his office cutting out soldier pictures in magazines, making a collage for his wall while his CPL would watch over me. As a kid, I could hear artillery fire at school and at our house all day long. And it was nothing to see helicopters flying low over the school and house. At night, I thought they were UFOs. What can I say? I was a strange kid :)

It’s a hard job they do, and it’s so hard to be a member of the family knowing they’re forever in harm’s way- and not just during war. I’ve lost many family and friends over the years during maneuvers at home. Those who have loved ones as firemen, EMT and police, know what I’m talking about, too. These are the men and women who put their lives second to everyone else’s. They are willing to give their lives to keep us safe and to save us when we’re hurt. My hat is off to every one of you and to all of you who, like I once did, provide support to them, and especially to those who love them. Thank you all. Each and every one of you is a true gem and I hope that not just this day, but all days are filled with happiness and love.

BIG hugs!