Thank You

My Grandpa, front row, and his 3 brothers

Happy Veteran's Day!  To those who served past and present I say a heartfelt thank you.  To those who've lost loved ones while in the service, I offer a moment of silence and a cyber-hug.  To those considering serving in the future I gratefully acknowledge all the sacrifices you will make along the way.

We have our own Veteran in my family.  My husband's brother served in Desert Storm.  I remember hearing about him when I first started dating my future husband.  He always spoke with such pride about his brother Dean.  I couldn't wait to meet him.  He was in the Army and from the sounds of it, he totally kicked ass in everything he ever attempted.  My husband is 18 months older than Dean and the sentiment of protection crept into his stories.

We were very disappointed that Dean wouldn't be home from Kuwait in time for Dean to serve as Best Man.  But he sent letters, goofy pictures, and funny stories whenever he could.  He told me that I had better be good enough for his big brother and that he himself was undoubtedly the better looking of the two.  I knew for all his light-hearted banter, that things were happening over there that he would carry with him forever.  And it humbled me.  I wanted to meet this man in person soon and thank him for the risks he was taking.

We finally did get to meet after we'd been married a few months.  And my he WAS good-looking!! (Can you tell he will be reading this??!)  He was also never without a sparkle in his eyes and a twinkle in his dimples.  Never, that is, unless you caught him in a rare, thousand-yard-stare moment.  But he didn't want to talk about any of it.  We gave him plenty of opportunities but could tell while he appreciated being able to decompress with us if needed, it just was better to leave a lot unsaid.

My husband did what he does best when people around him are hurting so deeply they can't even make sense of any of it.  He hugged, and was present.  There's something about a hug from my husband that just lets people feel bathed in love and acceptance.  It's a well known fact.  (And I get those hugs on a daily basis!!)

Dean and I have always had a great relationship.  He is the perfect older brother.  We both are the youngest in the family and have a bit of a "better to beg forgiveness than ask for permission" sort of mentality when it comes to certain things.  Dean is real.  He is the first Patriot I've ever known in person.  This man lives and breathes and wears his freedom.  I think it comes from knowing that he fought for it.  Fought alongside brothers that didn't step off the plane onto good ol' USA tarmac.  And I know that today of all days, he is taking time in a quiet place to honor those buddies who fell beside him.

Dean now fights for other freedoms.  He's taken that fight to the streets.  He fights for safety for all of us.  He works in law enforcement in one of the most volatile environments there is.  He and I were both testing for civil service at the same time years ago, He for law enforcement, and I for the fire service.  I remember hanging out with him at family gatherings and us encouraging each other during the arduous process.  He got hired a bit before I did. We had fun every time we got together comparing stories of life on the streets.  When I found out that it was necessary for me to medically retire from the job that I loved so passionately, Dean was there.  He'd text me almost daily with notes of encouragement, YouTube songs that he thought were especially poignant, verses from scripture, little sayings that had gotten him through rough times.  Out of anyone, he KNEW what I was going through.  It was so nice to have him understand without me having to explain why it was taking me so long to emotionally get back on my feet. Thanks for that Dean.

I also wanted to thank you Dean for never giving up on rehabbing when you came home.  You have worked through a lot of things, memories, and internal struggles since you've come home.  And you've beaten them.  I know there will still be days when you get knocked sideways.  But you will always stand tall.  It's in your blood.

So this day, remember our warriors.  For no matter what field they are fighting in now, they will always be warriors.  True patriots that took that ultimate risk.  And their battles rage on.  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder claims many veterans and their families.  It's almost impossible to avoid.  But with more light shed on it and ways to mitigate it, hopefully someday our fighters can leave their personal battlegrounds behind.

And Dean thanks again for giving your family, your son, my children, a true, live, authentic soldier to look up to, and appreciate.  For we certainly do.  We love you and we thank you for your service.

Make it a great day.