I love my country and I am proud to be an American. Patriotic songs make me cry especially The
Army song, every time it plays there are tears that flow freely. There is a reason that I am
a patriot, my Grandpa Benjamin ‘’Brownie’’ Brown served his country in World
War II. For me, I have always been
taught to honor our soldiers who serve for our freedom. For my long time readers, you will know that
I often honor my cousin who died serving our country. But what about the men
and women who quietly come home from war and suffer silently the after effects
of war? Or those who give their all and are permanently injured for life. This
Veterans day, I challenge you to show your support for the veterans who need
our support more than ever.
Growing up, we often heard ‘’don’t throw rocks’’ over and
over. Why? My grandfather lost his eyesight in one eye in the war. Two soldiers
were fighting and throwing rocks at each other on base and one hit my grandpa
in the eye causing him to lose his eyesight. He was sent to England from his
post in France and discharged. He was
proud to be a heavy artillery driver and a very proud veteran. He loved his
country and made sure his family did too.
In the end of his life, we talked one day about his service and the
service of my other grandfather whom I never knew. He never talked about his time in the war; he
did talk about being at the Battle of the Bulge in mention only. As he aged, he
suffered severe glaucoma and blindness that was debilitating in the end. He
fell often and was housebound for years because he couldn’t drive any longer
due to his sight.
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| My Grandpa Brown in Europe WWII |
He was also able to share about my other Grandpa Bud Davis
service as well. He was a cook in the US Army during WWII.
Then there are my uncle Cal and cousin John, two Vietnam
vets who came home from war and weren't treated with honor or respect for many
years. They both suffer severe effects of their time in Vietnam, men who were
treated with disrespect and shunned instead of being honored for their service until
recent years. Nobody understood that war scarred these men and women returning from war.
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| Uncle Cal September 1965, Vietnam |
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| My Great Uncle Bob Stevens, US Army |
My cousin Robert also served his country. Though he didn't
go to Vietnam, his time in the service eventually caused him great distress
that led to him ending his life. One of my favorite happy people, imagine
having Larry the Cable Guy has your cousin. That was Bubba, his death was so
painful to me, I still have yet to publicly acknowledge it until today.
Proud to come from a family full of service members, one
from almost every branch of the military Army, Navy, and Marines. Marty’s grandpa W.L. Timms was a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army and his uncle Sheridan was in the Navy.
Then recently, the returning soldiers from Iraq and
Afghanistan. Men and women who have gone
to fight for the past 10 years and many have returned home forever changed with
invisible wounds.
TBI or Traumatic Brain Injury has been deemed
‘’the signature wound’’ of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. PTSD affects
nearly 20% of the soldiers returning home from the war in the Middle East. This summer, I read two books about soldiers
and the war in Iraq.
One of them, ‘’Until
Tuesday’’ was extremely moving, a soldier Luis returning broken and hurting
after suffering a TBI in Iraq nearly lost his life at home until he was saved
by a service dog Tuesday. It was
recommended to me by a soldier friend of mine. I went to bed crying every night
after reading it, my eyes were opened to the soldiers who are suffering right
here in our country.
As I moved to Tennessee, a friend of mine deployed to the
Middle East, An unlikely friendship between a cold, calculating combat vet and
a wholesome, Pollyanna, wife and mother that would open my eyes to the reality
of war in a new way. I committed to
praying for my friend as they served out a deployment and encouraging this
friend every day. It was the least I could do for someone serving for our
country.
Then just about two weeks after I finished ‘’Until Tuesday’’
this past August, my friend suffered a severe TBI and was rushed back to the
states. It was devastating to talk to someone one day and then twelve days
later not be able to understand a word they are saying to you. I cannot describe the sadness and horror at
the reality of war that ensued. Thankful my friend is alive, sad to see a life
changed forever and to see someone I care about struggling greatly. All I can say, is it was great to have Marty
and another dear friend to hang on to because it was completely devastating. I
cried nearly every day for a month while praying for my friend to be
healed. A life completely changed by dedication
and service to our country, a heavy price has been paid.
So this Veterans day, I thought that I would do something
for my friend, my cousins John and Robert, my Uncle Cal and in memory of my grandfathers. I
am challenging my readers and friends to please consider donating to The Wounded Warrior project
today. Instead of mouthing our thanks, let’s show our thanks monetarily and
send them help that is much needed. It
really hit home for me the reality of the suffering, it may not be real to many
of you but to many others it is.
Thank you to all the men and women who have served our
country faithfully.Especially those veterans I know and love. I am proud to support our veterans and service
members and hope you will too. The best way we can love our country is to love
the men and women who serve for our freedom. Whether you agree politically or
not.
Dedicated to my nerd friend, heal fast my friend, I believe
in you, I am proud and honored to be your friend. I pray for your healing every day and hope
someday you will be able to be well enough to talk again. Thank you for serving
our country. I will make you proud by loving our country and honoring those who
have served that includes you.
