Happy Veterans Day

For some of us, it's easy to forget Veterans Day or to easily confuse it with Memorial Day - the day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.

While those who died are also remembered on Veterans Day, it is instead the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty.

...to my husband, Cliff.
...to my grandpa, Bert.
...to my great grandpa, Willard.
...to my uncle, Joe.
...to my father-in-law, Wendell.
...to my second cousins, Michael G. and Michael L.
...to my cousin-in-law, Gill.
...to our friends, Aaron, Frank, and Andy.
...to those whom I have forgotten or have not ever met.

I know you didn't make the choice to serve your country for the "thanks" or the pats on the back. And I know for some of you your course was long and for others you gave as much time as you could offer. But either way, thank you for serving.



"I took an oath - and it's the best oath I ever took. I'm at peace if I come back with parts of me missing. And I'm at peace if I don't come back at all." - Lance Cpl. Michael Glover

Run (Walk...Hike) For the Fallen

I know I've had a chance to tell some of you about this, but I don't know why I didn't think to use this is a platform, either. I guess I forget that people really read this, and don't put a lot of faith in my reach. But oh well, it's never too late.

Today, we'll be participating in the Run for the Fallen final day event, which basically involves anyone, wherever they are, running or walking one mile (or more) for a fallen soldier service members killed during both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The organization's goal is to have Americans run together, with a common purpose, across the nation. Their hope is to have everyone who goes out to contact them to let them know how far, where, and for whom you ran. They've already done a run across the nation where they placed a flag in honor of a service member at every mile along the route. It was a hot and blustery day when they came through here, but I had planned on at least doing something on the final day event.

Our plan is to run/walk/hike in honor of my cousin, Michael Glover.
We had planned to count our normal workout, plus a little more as our time. But instead, we're going out to the trails at Henry Horton this afternoon with some friends of ours and it should be a good time. It's not often that I take time out like this to remember and to honor Michael, but something like this is a great way to do so.

I would encourage you all, if you know of any service members to walk/run in honor of or if you go out for your usual run and decide you want to honor Michael with us, please feel free to do so. It would mean a great deal...