To my brothers and sisters, those who have served, those who have passed too soon and those who still carry the torch - I walk with you today.
There are few higher callings. The person next to you is most important, not yourself.
My service has given back to me 100 fold over the years, in so many ways. Mostly, I learned who I am. I learned that I can be good — really good — at doing something. It took me many years after serving to fully appreciate how good I was at what I did, embrace it, and honor that service (and those who served beside me). It’s easy in the moment to not appreciate how you grow and gain when it’s about someone else rather than you. That’s a hard transition for a young person to make. My experience is that you come out of it changed.
Some come out the back end better than they entered. I was one of the mostly lucky ones. Others don’t, and deserve the respect, support, and care they need to heal — or sometimes — just survive day to day.
On Memorial Day, cheesy as it might be, I always take a moment to look at the plaque in my man cave; a framed collage of my service hung on the wall, and appreciate those who were along for the ride with me at the time. I lost two crew mates this year who were close to me, and I’m sure that will accelerate in times to soon come. Tony & Ken, I love you both. (Sorry about the vent cover incident, Ken...)
Got a family member that served? Talk to them about it. We vets don’t open up easily about that stuff, but when we do, it’s usually a gusher of emotion, pride, and a history that you will never get any other way than if you ask.
Peace, love, and strength today.