Exceedingly Mundane

There is a lot I had wanted to say today about Veterans Day, the vets in our family, our troops, our President, and my general feelings of patriotism. Now that I’ve found time to sit down and write it all out, I seem to be at a loss for words. I want it to be eloquent and well said, and at the moment, I don’t feel like I could do it justice. I’ll try anyway, me being me….

Veterans Day, Flag Day, July 4th are important holidays to me, even though they get barely a mention most places. I’ve always been a patriotic person, but more so since I met Tim. I know more about what honor and integrity and faithfulness and unselfishness is all about after getting to know Tim. I know more about our military and more about what it’s like to be a part of that, through Tim. Tim served 4 years in the Air Force, and although he was not in Desert Storm, he was in the military then. Same with my Dad, he was in the Navy during WWII but never served in the actual war. That does nothing to diminish their years of service, nor does it diminish the sacrifice of so many others. One thing I’ve always known, but I seem to understand more the older I get is that Freedom isn’t Free. Our country’s freedom, from the very beginning, has been bought and paid for by the selfless, honorable men and women who defend her. They put on a uniform and defend our freedom, day in and day out, night and day, for almost no pay, no glory, with only the thought that they are doing something worthwhile and important. Many, too many throughout our country’s history, have made the ultimate sacrifice, with their lives, to defend our freedoms. Our liberty, things we so often take for granted. I try very hard to remember that every day, every time I see a flag, every time I see a soldier in uniform, every time I hear the liberal media bash our country, our President, our military about the conflict we are in now. Every time we stand at a football game and hear the national anthem, I’m painfully aware of how many people around us don’t straighten up, show their respect, put their hand on their heart, and remember all the sacrifices that ordinary men and women make every day to protect us. And they do. We don’t see it very often, but the very freedoms we enjoy every day are protected at home and across this globe by the men and women of our military.

I’m often reminded of some of the lyrics in Toby Keith’s song “American Soldier” :

Beside my brothers and my sisters, I will proudly take a stand
When Liberty’s in jeopardy, I will always do what’s right
I’m out here on the front line
So Sleep in peace tonight

They are out on the front lines, and at their duties and posts, day in and day out, away from their families and loved ones, on holidays, ordinary days, every day, protecting our freedom, so we can sleep in peace at night and know that the world we wake up to tomorrow will be like the one we had today. They give the ultimate sacrifice, whether their lives are given in sacrifice to our country, or just a piece of their time and service.

So, today I salute all veterans, past, present and future. And personally, the three closest to me, my dad, my husband and my father-in-law, all whom proudly served our country.

And, since it’s me and my blog, here’s a few pictures on my mind:

My favorite veteran:

At the Korean War Memorial in DC, where we visited this past 4th of July – a constant reminder of what we so often forget – Freedom is not free:

And possibly the most moving thing I have ever seen – the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They have been guarding this tomb around the clock, in hurricanes, blizzards, ice storms, extreme heat, and everything else, without missing a beat, since the 1930’s. It was the highlight of our DC trip, a solemn reminder of what our military goes through to protect us, and honor those who have given their lives in defense of our country and our liberty: