Don't Forget To Thank A Vet...

On this Veterans Day I want to say Thank you to our Veterans. There are many that I have had the pleasure of meeting over the years. Since I am a member of a Troop Support Group I've gotten a chance to meet some awesome Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Sailors. Many I've never had a chance to meet in person, but I've become acquainted with them through emails, facebook, and letters. 

I wrote a blog post in July of 2012 thanking some of those I've had the pleasure of sending packages to. I always take a name or two off our mailing list and "adopt" them. That means I pack their boxes, write letters, and pick up a few extra things I send them. 

You can read the post and see the photos Here. I have a couple of more thank yous to mention here. 

this is Austin, I'm packing him boxes now. 

Ryan is sitting in the truck. He's recently come home. 

Justin.. The son of a dear friend home now.. 

I have by no means thanked all those I've had the joy of "adopting" over the past 10 years, there have been over 60 of them.. That doesn't include all the Veterans I've met as part of our local VFW Post and those my husband, a Vietnam Vet, and I have met as he uses the benefits from the VA medical community. 

If you stop and think about it, you know a Vet or two. Make sure you thank them today.  Thank their families too. They also make sacrifices so their family member can serve. 

If you have served or are serving our Country. I want to say Thank you. I wish there were better words. Words that could convey the depth of my thank you, But thank you is all I have. It is said from the depths of my heart...  

Today I Had To Say Goodbye...

I love this picture. So peaceful, so quiet, so tranquil. So unlike my thoughts and emotions.. Today I had to say goodbye. One of the members of our Troops Support group passed away in the night on wed. Today I took the long quiet drive to the funeral home. To pay my respects, to hug the grieving wife and children. To recall a joke that Jack and I had between us. To remember..

I haven't known Jack and Shelly for long, but they have touched my heart. Jack especially. He is a Vietnam Vet. I don't mind telling you that Veterans hold a special place in my heart. I think Vietnam vets touch my heart in a special way because dear husband is a Vietnam vet.. I know from his stories and those of other Vets of that time, that theirs was not a pleasant or joyful homecoming.. I try to make sure I always thank them for their service and if they don't mind, I want to hug 'em.. I am a huggy person and I'd love to hug everyone I see. I have come to realize some people do not want strangers coming at them, let alone hugging or touching them.. so I ask.. I asked Jack.. just to make sure it was ok with him.. and with his wife Shelly.. Jack laughed.. and he gave me a big ole bear hug.. That was our greeting always.. a smile and a quick hug..

Our Support group packed boxes on wed. night. (We send the boxes to deployed troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.) Jack packed a box. He usually helps tape them up, but wed. night he packed a box.. Jack felt good wed. night.. He even remarked to a few of the guys how great he felt.. I noticed that he like several others were touched by an especially sweet letter that was sent to the group from one of our Troops.. The letter mentioned how special the group was and how they would never forget all the love and smiles that were packed in each box from our group. That was the last time I saw that smile.. and my heart is grieved.

I don't know Jack's personal beliefs. I do know he loved his wife, his family, and his country.. I know that an American Hero left us. I know that I will always remember the smile that filled up that face.. and I'll remember that big Ole bear hug.. Today I had to say goodbye.. and my heart is grieved...