Thank you Vets! 2011

MY MOST FAVORITE VET IN UNIFORM!

BE STILL MY HEART!  I still get flutters to see my sweet hubby in uniform!

Even in pictures!! When this was taken 3 years ago, he had just spoken for Vets Day at our county fair. He served 4 years in the Marines, and 16 years in the Air Force.  (And I LOVED it!!)

to those who have served and sacrificed!

I write a monthly food column for a local newspaper, so I thought I would share this month's with you.

Please be sure to thank a vet this Memorial Day!

May also brings Memorial Day-the time when we remember those who have sacrificed for our freedom.

We cannot say thank you enough, but I’d like to give you a few ideas to honor our vets and our country.

My husband served 3 tours as a Marine in Vietnam, and is now 100% disabled because of exposure to Agent Orange. He’s the most patriotic person I know. He would choose to serve all over again if he had that choice. What a thrill it is for me when someone shakes his hand and thanks him for his service. Having been a proud military wife for 16 of his 20 years of military service, I take those thank you’s very seriously myself.

A positive change in our country since I was young, is the respect our troops now receive. When troops came home from Vietnam, they were booed and often spit upon. Now it isn’t uncommon to see the troops being applauded. What a wonderful and needed change.

Here are a few simple ways to show your appreciation to anyone who is currently serving, or has served, in the armed forces of the United States of America. 

• Simply say Thank You–Throw in a handshake or a pat on the back too. It goes a long way and means so much. Even if you don’t know a vet, contact the nearest VA hospital or clinic. There’s surely many there would who appreciate being told thank you. Send flowers or a cookie bouquet.

• Pay for their lunch-if you see a serviceman or woman in an eatery, offer to pay for their lunch. It’s an awesome way to express your thanks. Your cost will be much less than what they are paying for with their lives.

• Fly a flag-having “Old Glory” flying on your property is a great way to show respect and pride for our country and our vets. If you don't have a flagpole, you can purchase small brackets that easily fit on the side of your home.

• Send a cup of joe to a ‘joe’- check out http://www.greenbeanscoffee.com/.  For $2.50 you can send a cup of coffee to a serviceperson overseas.  An added bonus is that oftentimes, you’ll receive a thank you from the recipient. I sure enjoyed a thrill the first time I participated in this program and received thank you’s in return.

• Donate-Give a little money or time to a veteran’s group. It’s a tough time financially for everyone right now, but if you could see what my husband and I see when we visit VA hospitals, it would just tear your heart apart. At the very least, drop off a note of thanks at any local vets organization and they will make sure it gets to the right person (Or write several).

• Never Forget-One of the greatest things we can do is to make the most out of the opportunities we’ve been given. Our freedoms have been given to us by the sacrifice of so many, and we must not take ever that for granted.

A veteran is someone who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to and including their life. Regardless of personal political views, that is an honor and there are too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact.

ENJOY A SAFE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!