Thank You Veterans!

Thank you, veterans, for all you have done for this country!  It is because of you that I have so many of the freedoms that are easily taken for granted.  Even this blog is a privilege that others around the world do not have thanks to the First Amendment!

I am so blessed to have two incredible men in my family who served our country…Granddaddy Williams and Granddaddy Brantley.  I wish I knew the stories from my Grandaddy Brantley’s service...note to self to ask my grandmother at Thanksgiving.   I do know a great deal about my Granddaddy William’s service thanks to the autobiography my grandmother wrote and from the many stories my grandfather has told over the years.  Not to mention the letters framed in my grandparents house written to my great-grandparents from my grandfather’s supervisors in the Army about how he was doing overseas.   And one of my favorite pictures of my grandfather is of him in his uniform-such a handsome man!!  I need to get a copy of that picture!!

The veterans in my life...

Granddaddy Brantley

Granddaddy Brantley and I at his 94th birthday dinner...he proceeded to say we weren't leaving until I left my phone number for the handsome server...he never called me.

Christmas 2010 with Granddaddy Williams

There is another young man I know, who through serving our country, made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan.  John was in my 5^th period Environmental Science class my last year teaching.  He was one of the most energetic teens I have ever met!  He had such a passion for our country and so desperately wanted to serve in the military.  It drove me crazy sometimes because I think he brushed off his education some days thinking he wouldn’t need to know science stuff while fighting in a war.  But he was always so friendly, smiling, energetic, and full of life!  It was privilege to know him.  Thank you, John, for giving your life in Afghanistan!  And thank you to your mom for raising a young man who had the courage and the passion to chase his dreams of serving our country.  You will be greatly missed, John!