Veteran's Day

Veteran's Day. I really can't put into words the special place that the military holds in my heart. Earlier this year, I attended a ceremony for soldiers returning home from serving a 12 month tour. Whoa, talk about touching. I had to definitely choke back lots and lots of tears while I was taking pictures...It hit home for me, because I have a hard time making it thru football season without Joe home during normal hours. After attending the home coming ceremony, I told myself that I would work really hard to not complain about the hours he puts in at the office! At least he gets to come home every night. These families sacrifice countless hours away from the ones they love, to protect us. I wish we treated every day like Veteran's Day, they deserve it.

I thought I would share this poem because it hits home for so many.

The Bravest Man I Know

by Amanda Whitney

The bravest man I know.

Is a man I've never met.

He's a man who risks his life

To save a friend,

Not only to save a friend,

But to save a nation.

Risking his life

For those he does not know.

Stepping up

Leaving loved ones behind,

So that somewhere,

Someone else won't have to.

He is a man who follows orders

Even though he knows he might die.

The bravest man I know.

Is the man who would rather die,

So one more person could go home

To see his family again.

The man who stares death in the face,

But never blinks.

The bravest man I know.

Is the man who risks his life

So one day the world may be a better place for his children.

Or any man who goes against his biggest fear.

DEATH

Just to save someone he loves.

The bravest man I know.

Is the man who fights

So another man can have the taste of sweet freedom.

Not fighting only for his own benefit,

But for many others all over the world,

Fighting to make this world a better place.

That's the bravest man I know.

Here are two of the bravest men I knew. My grandfather...



...and my dad.

This is a scrapbook page that I did for a Veteran's wall at my school. My dad served not one, but two tours of Vietnam.




Hopefully, tomorrow we all take the time to stop and honor the men and women that provide us our freedom. I know my high school students will, because I'll make them. :) We're going to watch this video: