Thank You for My Freedom

This is from my heart.

Today as we remember those who have fallen as well as those who have served, here's one story.

I love living in the United States, I love being an American. I value my freedom and have the utmost respect and admiration for every single individual who so unselfishly and honorably serve the United States of America in the armed forces.


My Dad joined the Navy upon his high school graduation in the Spring of 1942 at the tender age of 17 and was honorably discharged in April, 1945. He never spoke much about it, but I know he served in the South Pacific detached to the United States Marines as a Corpsman. I was told second hand from a gentleman my Dad kept in touch with over the years that things were so crazy where my Dad was stationed, that he was performing surgery in the field and saved numerous lives. Can you imagine this young man at 18 or 19 years old, just doing what ever it took?

(I just think he's adorable!)


My Dad went on to college and then on to medical school and was called back during the Korean War or as we so delicately call it now, the Korean Conflict. He stayed states side (thank goodness) and worked in the infirmary at Camp LeJeune. He never complained about being called back. I know in his mind, he was doing his part....right John?

He then went on to marry my Mom, have three kids, support a family and never spoke about his service unless he was telling a story about a celebrity he saw at a USO show or humorous story.

Actually, as a kid and up until I saw the beginning of Private Ryan, I didn't think about the reality of what our military personnel actually do or experience.



Both of my brothers honorably served our country too. My oldest brother, John, served in the United States Army Reserves during peace time and my younger brother, served in the United States Marines (his wife also was a United States Marine). Matt served in the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm.

I am so proud of my Dad and my brothers and my country. Thank you Dad, thank you John, thank you Matt and thank you to all past and present military personnel, you are my heroes!

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."

Ronald Reagan
40th president of US (1911 - 2004)