Veterans Day 2024
This year before you say “Thank you” to someone currently serving or someone who has served, I hope you’ll pause and think about what it is you’re thanking them for.
| As of September 2023, there were 2.86 million people worldwide in the US military. |
Saying “Thank you for your service” rolls off our tongues, doesn’t it?! What about sitting down with someone who’s served or is serving. If they’re willing, ask them to share their experience.
Larry and I used to have breakfast every day with our friend, Vic. Larry was an F-4 pilot during the Vietnam era and Vic was in the Army…shot and left for dead in Vietnam.
I heard humorous stories but also stories that our children need to hear.
It was not until these talks that I learned Larry sat Nuclear Alert. Here was a 25 year old kid who knew that if it was ever “for real” he and the rest of the team were not coming back.
Anyone who serves in the military in whatever capacity is owed our debt of gratitude, for it is through their sacrifice and that of their family’s that you and I have the opportunity to live the lives that we do.
Whether you man a gun or feed the troops, serve on a ship or in the air, you have sworn to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic...”
When you say Thank you this year, think about what it is you’re thanking them for.
And ask yourself if you've honored their service to our country with your own actions.
I'm trying to raise the awareness of the troops that, when they deploy and go to war, it's not just them at war - it's also their family. Their family is having to go through all the hardships and the stresses.
Chris Kyle
Changing the conversation about how Americans perceive veterans is really important. These are hardworking, dedicated, innovative people who deserve quality employment when they return home from their military service.
And Thank you to my favorite veteran…
(That’s Larry at the top!)
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