Happy Veternan's Day

Hurray!! It's Veteran's Day (aka Armistice Day). I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the veteran's and all those who've served in the armed forces through out the years. I appreciate your service and sacrifices you've made for our country and especially for the WWII vets and those currently serving now. (The 54th Medical Air Brigade out of Fort Lewis also has a special place in my heart.)

My hubby was in the National Guard for 12 years and luckily got out a year or so before the current wars started. His unit has been called up twice for active duty since then. (They're being redeployed again to Iraq. They left for 'training' in May so any day they should be shipping out for another very long 12-15 month tour.) I try to support the families who've been left behind while the Guardsmen have been deployed but in my mind it always seems inadequate. I always pray for their safe return and that their families find the strength and help they need until "Daddy" makes it home safely. So far none of my kids' friends have suffered any casualties and hope it remains so.

Speaking of inadequate.... I never truly understood until the past year or so, the absolutely horrific nature of the Pacific theater of WWII. (Where was Ken Burns and Flag of Our Fathers when I was growing up?) All my history books focused on the European front with a page or two saying the war was also going on in the Pacific Ocean and that the war slogged on for X number of months until the atom boms were dropped. Yes, today (11/11) is the anniversary of when the Japanes surrendered to the United States and officially ended that terrible war. (That's why Veteran's Day is not on a convenient Monday.) I hope it always stays on it. Again.... Thanks Veterans!!!!!