Navy

Today I am thankful for our Veteran’s. I am sad that there is a need for veterans, but we live in an imperfect world and I’m thankful for those willing to serve. There are many veteran’s in our family, my uncles on both sides of the family were veteran’s serving in World War II.

My dad was a Navy man and often reflected back on his life in the Navy. He was just a teenager when he went to war. At the age of 14 he spent much of his time on ships, being trained and learning to survive in a time of World War.

I don’t think any of us can truly imagine what it means to live a military life unless you’ve been there and done that. I know from the stories he told and the things he had to do that it would take far more strength both inside and out than I have experienced.

I have never felt the longing, the distance from being far away from home in a hostile place. I have never been away from my family for an extended time, much less for months or a year. I have never been to a place where they didn’t speak English and they hated Americans. I have never had to remember holidays or hold on to good memories while in the battlefield.

I have the greatest respect for the heroes that serve in the military. They are heroes each and every one of them. They stand in the gap and protect our freedoms that many abuse and we all take for granted in some ways. They have that inner something that gives them a loyalty, a resolve to stand firm, a determination to see things through no matter what, and a need to protect what is ours.

Today I am thankful for our Veterans, all of them, those that have served those that would serve and those in service. You are AMAZING!!

Cherry Coley ©