Okay, so you have to bear with me as I am learning about these blog thingies!! :) That's probably not even a word, but that shows my inadequacies as a professional blogger. Well what a perfect day to start this new adventure. I have read many of my friends blogs and thought "what a great idea!" So here, I am just going full force!
Today is Veteran's Day!! Its a somber yet prideful day for us as American's to think about the sacrifices our men and woman are making for us to continue this thing called "Freedom". I am the daughter of a hero; my dad, Mike Harris served his country in Vietnam in the late 60's as a United States Marine- I can tell you for sure when he came home, he was not considered a hero; but a baby killer, murderer - what a slap in the face!! The country he was protecting spit and ridiculed him. I am just glad I wasn't around at that time, I tend to have a hard time "turning the other cheek" (which by the way, my dad did not do!) He suffered the loss of friends being killed right in front of him and a part of him was destroyed each day. He journaled every day his experience in Vietnam and I have a copy of his diary - its sad to read and even to this day, he suffers from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), has flashbacks, nightmares, and moments of depression. Isn't it sad that our "heroes" come home so scared when they should be so proud of what they have done for us. Yet many even today , treat them as indisposable. That breaks my heart.....My husband, another hero - he served in the Unites States Marines for 5 yrs - he was deployed 2 times serving his country - he sacrificed doing what most typical American boys do when they get out of high school - go to college or party it up! He is a genuine, loving, hard working husband and I am blessed to be married to the greatest friend on earth I will ever know! Another one, Jim Porter (United States Marine Corps), he served right along side my husband and he is my brother in law; as well as Tim Clark (United States Navy), he is also my brother in law. I am thankful to be a part of a family that is takes great pride in serving our country. A few of my other heros I have to mention on this day is John Halcrow - he is serving in the Army in Iraq as we speak. He will be coming home in December to enjoy his new wife, whom he had to leave a year ago to fight a war. I grew up with John, he is the son of our pastor back in California, Mike Halcrow, this family is great friends to my family and I am proud of his sacrifice. Another hero, Brent Jones, he just came back from Iraq - he is a friend of my family as well, serving in the United States Marine Corps. There are so many others that I know and could go on and on about, but these are immediate ones that come to my mind. Let us all not take for granted the freedoms we enjoy on this day and take a moment to pray for our troops fighting even now and those who have gone on before them. My sister made a statement on her facebook that really sums it up: Say Thank you to a Veteran - you have no idea how much those two words will mean to them.
Have a wonderful Veteran's Day......until next time.......God Bless America!
