As the end of the year closes in, we have so many things to be thankful for.  We are thankful for our active duty military personnel. 365 days of the year, they are on duty serving and protecting our freedoms. Some get the opportunity to be home with their families still others will be deployed all over the world during the holidays.

As I reflected on my own military career, I was away from my family for the first time for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, during basic training. This was a very difficult time for an 18 year old, wanting to be an independent adult but still needing the family bond. Sure there was the occasional “earned liberty” of being able to call home or when a letter arrived but I was going from the “civilian” world to the “military” world. As I looked around, others were having a difficult time. It was then that I realized, I am part of a new family now. The Military Family: a lot of brothers and sisters.

I come from a family lineage of Military veterans, my Grandfather was in the United States Army during WWII, my Father was in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, I was in the United States Air Force during the “Cold War” and my Son is currently in the United States Navy. There were many times they were away from family. The Military Family adapts and may do things that would be seen as “odd” or “strange”. For example: My son was going to be deployed and there was a possibility that he was going to be gone over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Do you know how hard it is to find a “turkey” to have a full blown Thanksgiving meal: IN JULY or trying to locate a REAL Christmas Tree: IN JULY.  It can be done.

During this “season”, I would ask everyone to keep our active duty military, their families and all veterans in your thoughts and prayers.

Important dates in December:

December 7th: Pearl Harbor Day

December 14th: Wreaths across America – Greenleaf Cemetery

December 17th: Toys for Tots – KOXE radio station – American Legion Post #196 is cooking Hot Dogs for the event.

December 20th: Space Force Birthday

December 25th: Christmas

As a reminder, If you are a Veteran and in need of assistance, please reach out to the local VA clinic here in Brownwood, Texas Veterans Commission – Sean Lewis at 1600 Burnett, Brownwood and Brown County Veterans Service Office also located at 1600 Burnett, Brownwood.

LET NO VETERAN FEEL ALONE

Yesterday we served our country, Today we serve our Community.