November 11, 2013. Veterans Day. Today
actually marks the 95th anniversary of Veterans Day, although at its
start, it was referred to as Armistice Day. Here in the United States, Veterans
Day honors all American veterans, whether living, died in action or deceased
from other causes, either having already served or currently serving in the US
Armed Forces.
Today, I choose to write about my
brother, United States Air Force MSgt Travis Everett, armed forces member since November 1996. My brother has
always had an affinity with the military. He struggled with the academic rigors
of high school and knew that college was not going to be for him. From the time
he was little, he was drawn to the military and it became all he talked about. He
had more plastic Army men then I think all of Toys R’ Us. Our sandbox was
littered with those little men and when he was old enough to venture out of our
yard to play, he would head to the woods to play military. He spent countless
hours in the woods around the local fire company in town playing Army. He’d
wear his camouflage clothing, take his play guns, and off he’d go for almost
all day long.
My brother has always felt a strong
sense of patriotism and pride in his roots, which is why he chooses, year after
year, to honor a graduating senior from our local high school who has chosen
the same path in life as he has. Entering the military was never done for the
‘free education’ or the ‘free trips’, because quite honestly, who really wants
free trips to Afghanistan, Iraq, Qatar, or Korea. They certainly are not
vacations you want to or many times can write home about. Choosing the military was about giving
something to this great nation. It was about honoring those who enlisted before
us, the countless generations of brave men and women who fought for this
country in times of war and served this country during times of peace.
Military life is about sacrifice of
all kinds. My brother has spent quite a bit of time away from family. In my nieces’ 10 and 11 years of life, my
brother, their father, has missed many big events because of the sacrifice of
military employment, including one of their births, holidays, birthdays, school
events, and dance recitals just to name a few. Being stationed states away has
kept my brother from many family get togethers and being stationed worlds away
has shown my brother just why our country is as great as it is.
On this, the 95th
anniversary of Veterans Day, I wish to give a HUGE THANK YOU to my little
brother for his selfless dedication and outstanding service to this great
nation. And not to be forgotten, for those in the tomb of the unknowns, a special THANK YOU for your
patriotism, love of nation, and sacrifice you and your families have made for
the common good of our nation. God Bless America, Land that I Love!
Think Thankfully!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment