Day Eleven: 11

Happy Veteran's Day!

I'm hopeful that you didn't plan your week, thinking that you'd be thanking your veterans with your kids in their jammies...all the while, they, in, fact DO have school, so your best laid plans of making Tuesday become Monday were foiled.

Oh well...girls are on the bus, not in their jammies, but we'll still thank a veteran.

I'm so blessed to have a family that has been willing to serve our country. As I'm sure lots of you have countless relatives who have served in one way or the other, our families are well represented in the Armed Forces. Both sets of our grandpas served, great uncles and uncles on both sides of the family served, some not coming home, some serving until retirement, and both of our dads represented our country by protecting it.

My dad, specifically, is a Vietnam Vet. Not the Harley driving, ponytail wearing stereotypical Vietnam vet, but a proud infantry man nonetheless. He went back to where he served a few years ago, and since then I've heard more about his time spent overseas. He's pretty quiet about it, but very proud of his time serving the country. One of the most touching moments I experienced with him as a vet was at Disneyland, of all places. At the end of the day, the flag is lowered on Main Street, and vets are welcomed to participate. I still get kind of choked up thinking about him saluting there in the California sun. He's proud to have served, and I'm proud of him, too.

Dad carried the radio...and had a moustache!

Joe's dad was in the reserves. He spent his time prepping soldiers as a drill sergeant. To know Joe's dad and to consider that he was a drill sergeant is hilarious. Rick is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, quick witted and ever so humble. Drill sergeants, in my mind, are hard nosed, arrogant jerks. Rick spent time all over the country training soldiers for battle, which is good since he had four kids to train up as responsible adults.

We're a proud family on a day like today. Thanks to all of you who are veterans or are currently serving. In a world such as ours, we need brave folks to protect our basic rights. Thank you.

Linking up with the 30 Day blogging challenge here.