Our Veteran - Our Hero



Brogan holds tight to Daddy after his deployment
ceremony in October in Salina

Tomorrow, November 11, is a day set aside each year to honor our Veterans.  Our family has been blessed with our own veteran in our lives.  I've watched him go from a simple "one weekend a month, two weeks a year" soldier to a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  I've seen him be lead by some great commanders and some not-so-great ones too!  I've seen him go from the soldier who needs led, to now, being the soldier who is leading young soldiers off to war. 



Ainsley (15 mos.) at Brian's deployment ceremony in Ft. Riley 2004



Our family has also changed from one Veteran's Day to another.  We've lived a circle of military life.  We've been the simple KS National Guard soldier, then the family that flew a flag for 15 months and had a blue star banner hanging in our window, back to a weekend warrior family who welcomed our veteran back to the USA on Thanksgiving, and now, we are getting ready to hang our blue star banner back in our window and say, "Go serve our country with pride and honor and return home safely!" 

So, tomorrow, take a moment to remember those that have served their country.  I'll remember my special veteran, along with my Grandpa Johnny!!

MY FAVORITE!!  Ainlsey went running, screaming "That's MY Daddy!!"  

as soon as she seen him. . . . and he was afraid she wouldn't remember him!! 

Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take,
but by the moments that take your breath away!!





Daddy is trying to explain to Ainsley that he has to go
 back to "uwait" for a little longer.