Today

by Milehimama on November 11, 2011

Today, I got up and drove my husband to work. We didn’t pass any checkpoints, and I didn’t show my papers to anyone.

Today, I went to a gathering with friends. I didn’t worry that someone was making note of my associations, and we didn’t have to meet under cover of darkness so we wouldn’t be found out.

Today, I listened to talk radio, and heard criticisms of our leaders. The talk radio host will not disappear tonight, never to be heard from again. Neither will the callers who agreed with him.

Today, I live in America, home of the greatest military force in the world. And today I thank all of the veterans who put it all on the line so I could have an ordinary day today.

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Kaira November 11, 2011 3:33 pm edit
Great post!

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Milehimama November 11, 2011 3:43 pm edit
Tell me about the veterans in your life! My husband’s father and my grandfather served in the Navy- one in wartime, one in peacetime. My other grandfather received a Purple Heart, sacrificing in Europe during WWII. Their stories are not mine to tell, but I thank them and my children thank them.

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jennifer November 11, 2011 8:34 pm edit
Although I did have to pass a border patrol checkpoint north of El Paso Texas…I too am very thankful.

I am the wife of a veteran, sister of a veteran, sister in law to a veteran, niece of several veterans, daughter of a soldier KIA in Vietnam 4-8-67(2 months before I was born) and so I am well versed with the military and the service of not only the soldier(that understandably gets) but also that of the family that gave their loved one so that we all have the freedoms we so enjoy.

44 years have passed since my dad was killed. I have six siblings. 2 brothers served( third one couldn’t as he is deaf) and one sister married a soldier. It did not change us in attitude towards America in a negative, but in a positive. I miss my dad now not for me, but for my children. I miss that he never saw them. I miss him as a grandpa~sorry I have run on~

By the way in a few years unless he makes it his career, I will be the mother of a veteran too. My oldest son has been in the army since 08…

Thanks Milehimama- not many times I can share while being a mother that I missed something that changed my whole life. I missed out on being the daughter of Captain David P. Gibson-where he could snuggle me, love me, hug me, and be there when I walked down the aisle. Seems like that in itself defined how and who I would look for as a mate and how I would be as a parent for my children…one that cherished the memories and moments that my father never was able to have and be more because I had less.

Jennifer

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- Milehimama November 11, 2011 9:46 pm edit
  @jennifer,
  Thank you to your whole family- your mom and your siblings- for your sacrifices, too. You have my deepest gratitude.
  
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Kara White November 12, 2011 2:13 am edit
Thankyou for this post. As a veteran and also the wife, sister, and granddaughter of servicemembers, this post means the world to me. It just about topps of the good night with free food at applebee’s!

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Sheila November 12, 2011 9:11 am edit
This is ironic. My husband was just telling me there were checkpoints in West Virginia (where he works) on Friday, in the middle of the day, just checking papers. They stopped every single car. The TSA is expanding checks like this from airports to bus and train stations and finally to highways. Meanwhile most of the Republican candidates in the running (I think all but Ron Paul, though I’m not positive) support a national ID card that we could be asked for anywhere we go.

Unfortunately, the military can’t protect us from involuntary search and seizure unless our government makes the right decisions.

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- Milehimama November 12, 2011 10:37 am edit
  @Sheila,
  I have heard that TSA checkpoints were on the roads in TN, but not WV. Can’t wait to get a new president and get rid of the TSA. Yeah, I agree with you- too bad our military can’t protect us from ourselves (or in this case our leaders)
  
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Grandma Margie November 12, 2011 8:26 pm edit
Your Grampa thanks you for your comments.

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Shannon Kosub November 14, 2011 10:04 pm edit
Thank you for another wonderful post!

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Patricia November 29, 2011 6:24 pm edit
We live next to Ft Bragg and I am the daughter of a proud Marine., I love seeing soldiers every day everywhere I go. I know our government is in a bad way right now, hopefull 2012 will change all that. But our men and women still serve proudly. We see them deployed to war zones and pray they make it home safely. I am a proud american, still get teary eyed when Old Glory waves. My father served in WW2 and many family members served our country. Some came home healthy, some injured and some in flag draped coffins. I’m sorry you missed out on having a “Daddy” in your life, mine was one of my greatest sources of joy. But we are ever grateful for his sacrifice. Be blest!

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