Freedom Is Not Free

A Veteran...is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America” for an amount of “up to and including my life...”
Author Unknown

This week is National Veteran's Awareness Week and Tuesday is Veteran's Day. Originally intended to celebrate the signing of the Armistice ending World War 1, we now honor the service of all veterans.

I joined the military just after the Vietnam War ended. While it was definitely not a popular thing to do, it was a great experience. The GI Bill paid for my college education and helped me buy my first home. But being in the military back then was a very different world.

Today's military members face multiple, extended deployments resulting in terrible family and financial stress, sometimes even leading to home foreclosures. Leaders are just beginning to address the serious emotional toll this extended war is taking on the warriors.

One thing that has changed from the Vietnam days, thankfully, is support for the troops. Whether or not people support the war, American citizens do support the troops this time around.

If you are a veteran, thank you for your service to your country. If you know a veteran, please express your gratitude for their sacrifice. And by the way, if you know any Marines, wish them "Happy Birthday" on November 10th.