Simply: Thank You.

Those readers who came over from our former blog know but newcomers might not reaize simply based on his high and tight haircut. FireDad is a Veteran. He served in the National Guard for eight years. While he never saw combat, he was deployed in 2003. It was, however, canceled when someone declared that the war was over. All the same, I asked him a few weeks ago if he missed the Army. He said yes and no. To be honest, I think the no was simply to appease me. The picture to the left was taken at his awards ceremony in 2004. Oh, we were so young.

FireDad is the grandson of two other Army soldiers. Paternal and maternal grandfathers also served our country. We have their photos on either side of a candid shot of FireDad graduating from Basic in frames on our wall in the living room. FireDad’s flag hangs above them all. My Grandfather who passed in September was a Veteran and my own father is named after his uncle who was killed in World War II. Uncles and cousins have served as well and I wouldn’t be surprised if this new generation of family (still to come for my younger relatives) had a few who joined the military as well.

Our family is touched on so many sides and in so many ways by the military. We are thankful on everyday, of course, for their service. But we pause today to actually verbalize our Thank Yous. We know how lucky we are to be able to say those thank yous. A very dear friend of ours lost her brother in 2006 and today we salute him and their whole family for the ultimate sacrifice. We continue to pray for and honor our soldiers whether deployed or at home or already retired from service.

Due to the very cold weather today, we won’t be joining FireDad for the Veteran’s Day parade today. And so, knowing that he will log on at some point in time today at work, we send our love and thank yous for his service not only to our family but to our country. We love you!