My Favorite Veteran...

As I write, today is Veteran's Day...a day of honoring those who have served our country in the past, present and yes, the future.  Being a veteran myself, I feel this is the most important holiday in our country, not counting Christmas and Easter.  It's vital to our country's future to always remember our past and to be grateful to those who have protected our freedom, but I also feel that it is important to remember those behind the scenes who support our veterans while they serve.  Moms, dads, grandparents, wives, brothers, sisters, friends, etc of veterans are the support group that help our vets do what they do.  During times of war, these people serve in their own way and I am eternally grateful to have had the support I did during my years in the military.  So this post, this blog entry that I write today, is in honor of my favorite "veteran"...my mom.

No other person supported me more during my time in the military, especially during my deployment during Desert Storm, than my loving mother.  She went above and beyond when it came to encouraging me, worrying about me, praying for me, writing to me, sending care packages, etc.  Of the people in my flight, I don't think anyone received more mail than I did.  From letters to cards, from Halloween candy to Christmas decorations, my mom (and the rest of my family) really showed her support.  While I was stationed in a far away land serving my country, my mom was standing across the road from anti-war protesters with others and sticking up for what our military was doing in the Middle East.  She was tying yellow ribbons everywhere, sending me picture after picture of family gatherings that I missed so that I felt I was there, talking with other moms who had sons and daughters overseas, spending every free moment of her time writing me letters, praying for me and just making sure I felt her support and love from half a world away.

What I remember the most about how much she supported me is when I came home from Desert Storm.  When I walked off the plane onto the flight line, my family was there to greet me.  Hugs and kisses were in order, but when mom hugged me I remember she didn't let go.  She just kept a hold of me and we cried for the longest time, and I didn't want to let go of her either.  I can honestly say it was the best hug of my entire life.  I've never felt so much love in just one hug.  In that one instant, I could feel her love, her support, her admiration, her pride and also the worry she felt while I was gone.

Since that day many Veteran's Days have passed.  I hear a lot of people tell me thank you for my service every year and it fills me with great pride.  A few times, right on Veteran's Day, I've gotten an envelope from my mom in the mail.  I open it and this is what the letters always say...

"Dear Son,

 

                             I remember.

 

                                                      Love,

                                                               Mom"

 

 

I remember too Mom.  I'll never forget, and I will always be thankful for all you did during my time serving our country.  I couldn't have done it without you.  We served together and you will always be my favorite veteran.  I love you.