11/10/2023
Today, we honor and thank all those who have served or who are currently serving our country. As we go about our days, living our free lives, it is because of all of you, that we can do so, without fear. And yet, some of you return home, after immeasurable sacrifices made, having done missions or tasks that we only see in movies, seeing and experiencing things that would only be in many of our worst dreams, and having seen lives saved or lost around you, and are expected to return to everyday life with ease.
We've had the honor and heartache of seeing the other side, however, when caring for dogs while their "person" dealt with the aftermath of their sacrifice or when their families travel.
Hero, for example, given the perfect name for having a father who has been on the front lines in extreme danger... or Liberty, who's family is often left without their father for a year at a time when he is on active duty.
The reality is, their families are here and they are there (wherever that "here" even is, at times).. Before - During - and after these HEROS return, they always leave behind the ones they love. They miss each other, miss out on holidays, miss first times and miss some last times, too. Yet, even still, how many of these remarkable men and women, ever express self pitty?
The kids and spouses of military families are some of the most resilient and strong individuals I've ever met. My friends, don't complain. They don't feel bad for themselves. They say "this is our life" and carry on.
So today, I honor and express my gratitude and admiration for the veterans, those actively serving, and for the spouses and children embracing the "life they have" and making the best of it, no matter how hard some weeks or days can be.
And for those who return home and wake up every day trying to figure out what normal is, I wish there were more answers for you and more help for you to figure it out with endless support and encouragement.
For we are free, at your expense. And for that, our pack, is truly grateful.
These pictures of friends of mine, truly hit home for me as we passed them around between friends last night. One, shows the heart wrenching moment a father is about to deploy, with a young child by his side; others remind us how incredibly powerful and complex these deployments are- yet we don't truly even understand what those serving actually have even done while they were away, since when they get home, it's back to civilian life for them.
These are the people who should be taken care of when they return.
Thank you all, for protecting the land of the free and home of the brave. Brave, you surely are.