A Hero's Tribute
"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings." ~Eric Hoffer
I have to say a very big thank you. My family has been on the receiving side of the wave of thanks that supports our troops. From the beginning of the war in Iraq, our Soldiers and my family in particular, have experienced an overwhelming amount of support and thanks.
Vic's first year in Iraq he received a bible that was donated by a lovely woman from a small city in the middle of America. This bible has a metal front on it, fashioned after a bible that was famed from the Vietnam conflict that was said to have stopped a bullet because it was in a Soldier's pocket. Vic came home with a miniature flag, folded with a note from another dear woman, expressing her thanks for his service. Toby Keith came to our small community in Germany to let us know our families and Soldier's weren't forgotten. Lara Bush, the First Lady, created a DVD that was directed to our children, letting them know that their support and sacrifice wasn't going unnoticed.
After the first deployment, when we would travel and meet with other veterans the story was always the same. They didn't experience the overwhelming support like we have and they were glad to see that our country had learned from mistakes of the past. We've shed many a tear with complete strangers who , when they realized that our family had been seperated because of Iraq, would begin to cry at the thought of what we have experienced. There is something so surreal about that stranger, or a family member for that matter, who would be moved to tears because of something that we have had to endure.
The second deployment was the same way for Vic. Girl Scout cookies would pour in as well as letters and notes. On R and R (rest and recuperation) leave, we went to Disney World and Sea World in Orlando. Sea World's support to troops is an amazing program. We were given free tickets into the park, labelled Hero or Hero Family as well as free parking. As if this wasn't enough, at the start of the Shamu show there was a very beautiful video tribute to those who serve in all of the Armed Forces. We were once again moved to tears. When it ended, the shows host asked if there were any military families in the audience and we were asked to stand up. The camera captured our family, and the others in the audience who were standing and we were given a standing ovation from those around us. Our children were so excited to be "famous" and a little confused about why military families were being recognized. I've had to explain it all more than once to the children, that not every family is like our family.
It doesn't stop there. Even today we were given free passes to the St Petersburg Grand Prix because the sponsor, Firestone, wanted to support troops and sent tickets to the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post. Not just tickets but paddock passes. Each opportunity has given our family a view into a life we wouldn't ordinarily get to see. Each opportunity has made our family, our Hero, feel appreciated by our country.
I have to say a thank you to everyone who goes out of their way to recognize our Hero and our country's Heroes for what they do. It is a continuous reminder to my children that the call their father hears to support and defend our Constitution is a noble one. As children they have had no choice when Vic was called to serve in places away from us for months on end. It was a hard situation to explain to them, why he was gone for birthdays and big days, but we have tried our best. Explaining the overwhelming support and gratitude has been a whole lot easier. Our nation's unwavering kindness to our servicemembers is a true blessing. Thank you.
I have to say a very big thank you. My family has been on the receiving side of the wave of thanks that supports our troops. From the beginning of the war in Iraq, our Soldiers and my family in particular, have experienced an overwhelming amount of support and thanks.
Vic's first year in Iraq he received a bible that was donated by a lovely woman from a small city in the middle of America. This bible has a metal front on it, fashioned after a bible that was famed from the Vietnam conflict that was said to have stopped a bullet because it was in a Soldier's pocket. Vic came home with a miniature flag, folded with a note from another dear woman, expressing her thanks for his service. Toby Keith came to our small community in Germany to let us know our families and Soldier's weren't forgotten. Lara Bush, the First Lady, created a DVD that was directed to our children, letting them know that their support and sacrifice wasn't going unnoticed.
After the first deployment, when we would travel and meet with other veterans the story was always the same. They didn't experience the overwhelming support like we have and they were glad to see that our country had learned from mistakes of the past. We've shed many a tear with complete strangers who , when they realized that our family had been seperated because of Iraq, would begin to cry at the thought of what we have experienced. There is something so surreal about that stranger, or a family member for that matter, who would be moved to tears because of something that we have had to endure.
The second deployment was the same way for Vic. Girl Scout cookies would pour in as well as letters and notes. On R and R (rest and recuperation) leave, we went to Disney World and Sea World in Orlando. Sea World's support to troops is an amazing program. We were given free tickets into the park, labelled Hero or Hero Family as well as free parking. As if this wasn't enough, at the start of the Shamu show there was a very beautiful video tribute to those who serve in all of the Armed Forces. We were once again moved to tears. When it ended, the shows host asked if there were any military families in the audience and we were asked to stand up. The camera captured our family, and the others in the audience who were standing and we were given a standing ovation from those around us. Our children were so excited to be "famous" and a little confused about why military families were being recognized. I've had to explain it all more than once to the children, that not every family is like our family.
It doesn't stop there. Even today we were given free passes to the St Petersburg Grand Prix because the sponsor, Firestone, wanted to support troops and sent tickets to the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post. Not just tickets but paddock passes. Each opportunity has given our family a view into a life we wouldn't ordinarily get to see. Each opportunity has made our family, our Hero, feel appreciated by our country.
I have to say a thank you to everyone who goes out of their way to recognize our Hero and our country's Heroes for what they do. It is a continuous reminder to my children that the call their father hears to support and defend our Constitution is a noble one. As children they have had no choice when Vic was called to serve in places away from us for months on end. It was a hard situation to explain to them, why he was gone for birthdays and big days, but we have tried our best. Explaining the overwhelming support and gratitude has been a whole lot easier. Our nation's unwavering kindness to our servicemembers is a true blessing. Thank you.
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