Veterans' Day

To all the veterans who have served our nation, I give my thanks and my respect for your service.

My grandfather, Wayne, (top photo, far left) served in WWII in the Pacific theater and my great-grandfather, Les, (bottom photo) served in France during WWI. My younger cousin just returned from a tour in Iraq, for which we are all extremely grateful.

My grandmother shared a story of Les tromping through French fields, gathering blueberries in his doughboy helmet to add to the pancakes he made for the men in his platoon. I've been privileged to read the letters sent home by both Wayne and Les. That is as close to battle as I have ever been and I cannot imagine what such a sacrifice would be like. But for them and for all those who have served, I give my thanks.