Veterans Day

I think of all of us who’ve served in the U.S. military, citizens and non-citizens, and am grateful. The service can be difficult, joyful, tragic, warming…all of the human emotions. Tales of men and women, mostly young, heading off to do their country’s bidding. The sacrifices they make also ripples onto the families. At the 11th hour on the 11th day in the 11th month of 1918, the Armistice of the War to End All Wars went into effect and we use that day to honor all those who’ve served. The image above is USMC Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima Memorial with members from the Washington Barracks.

My father-in-law flew in combat for three wars, WWII, Korean and Vietnam. He started in the B-17 and flew a variety of heavy aircraft earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and a host of other medals during the many years he served. My service ended some 35 years ago so my kids aren’t really aware of what my early life was like. The second image is my “tiger” pose at Hill AFB, UT, sometime in the 1980s. The last is Kirsten and I in 1998 in a simulator in the USAF Museum in Dayton. So long ago.

Thank you!