November 11, 2016
Over the years I’ve become quite sappy. I like to blame my father-in-law, as he was always one to cry at the silliest of things. I wasn’t always this way.
In fact, I distinctly remember the first time that a “moment” made me tear up. It snuck-up on me and caught me quite off guard. I recall my feelings of sheepishness, but at the same time, I knew that my tears were certainly not unfounded, given the circumstances.
Yet, my memory would not be so vivid, if the actual moment were not so meaningful….I was at my brother Jake’s “United States Marine Corp Recruit Training Graduation”. In that moment, I was just so utterly proud of Jake and so proud to be an American that the tears sprang to my eyes without warning!
Thank you for your service, Jake! Thank you Grandpa Poese, Cousin Dave, Great Uncle Carlee, all of my friends, and all of those I don’t know….thank you for making the decision to protect our freedoms and serve our great country! I will always respect your service and respect the nation that has granted me privileges that the majority of the world only dreams of. I will not take my freedoms for granted, but rather, I will be thankful for my citizenship and always proud to be an American!
In honor of Veterans Day, I’m including one of my favorite patriotic songs. It’s guaranteed to bring goosebumps to your skin and often draws a tear or two from me.
Make sure to listen for the last and my favorite verse, “In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me; as He dies to make men holy, let us die to make men free, while God is marching on.”
Tough Cookie 