Two caveats:

I am a veteran and love that so many have changed their Facebook profile photo to one of them in uniform. But, the only photo I have is one when I was an Ensign (way back in the late 70s) and obviously that isn’t digital – we didn’t even know what that word meant or if it existed back then..lol

Because it’s Veterans Day, I’ll post about How To Read My Book tomorrow. Bet you are glad for the reprieve from my bragging and sales pitches..lol

Ok, now about today’s subject….

Today is Veteran’s Day and I will say that everyone, especially here in San Antonio, makes it a special day with discounts and freebies for Veterans. It’s extremely nice and I’m sure appreciated by all of us.

I don’t think anyone wants “Thank you for your service” to merely be something you say like “how are you today?” or “have a nice day”. But, it’s similar to so many of our overused words. How many times can you say “like” and have anyone pay attention to it or have anyone think it actually has meaning.

Ask yourself, “What do I mean when I tell someone I hardly know (or even those I do know) ‘thank you for your service’? What am I really thanking them for?”

Maybe, you could add a little something extra about what it means knowing that they gave up a job that would earn more money to continue to protect our country or to serve those who were doing the protection.

Also, please remember, that it’s not all about Combat veterans. I see this way too often and I’m not demeaning them..BUT I feel that when people think only of combat veterans as “worthy” or “important”, the whole point is missed.

We are a TEAM and more importantly, we are a FAMILY! Everyone on a team is important. I continually refer to the pandemic and the immense importance of (but with little recognition of) the housekeeping staffs in the hospital. How long do you think the hospital would have been able to remain open without them scrubbing and spraying everything to keep those little buggers (literally) from hopping up onto another patient or staff member?

Same with the military. Without all the supply people in the states and without trainers, not much would good would happen in the combat arenas. EVERYONE has a part.

So, maybe ask someone what they did in the service – not just the branch but what their job was and how they liked it or who they supported etc.. Find out more about the service you’re thanking them for. I guarantee you’ll go away enriched!

Thanks to all my Shipmates who cared for the patients we took care of. You all supported each other so everyone could give their utmost and know that a caring person was nearby. I love everyone (well, almost everyone….I don’t want to be Pinocchio) I served with.

Happy Veterans’ Day!