Tipping My Hat...

Being from a military family, I simply cannot let Veteran's Day pass by without discussing it. My family has many members who have served this country, including my father and my husband who were both in the Army, and my brother is an active duty Marine Corp officer. I was born on an Army base in Stuttgart, Germany where my father was stationed, and we moved quite a bit when I was very young until my father joined the civilian life once again. My dad is now the Head of Veteran Affairs in the county where he and mom live. He is very good at what he does, and he loves his job. My family is very patriotic and I was raised with a large sense of respect for members of the military.

Now, here is the conundrum. I don't believe in war. Well, I guess I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. Being a Medieval History major in college, I know alot about medieval warfare, and I love it. I love reading about ancient armies, and military strategies. I love reading about early cavalry and ancient weapons (my husband and I have actually discussed building a trebuchet, but that is a story for another time). I mean, what would the Legend of King Arthur be without a war with the Saxons? I realize that war and dispute has gone on as long as humans have been on this planet. It is part of our nature. This point is proven to me everyday as I watch my children fight over space and possessions.

So why do I have such a hard time with this subject when I know and understand it? Because it has hit home with me. It has affected my direct family. My grandfather and my uncle both fought in WWII. I have heard amazing and aweful stories about what they endured and know the effect the war had on them when they came home (my uncle came home with only one arm). More recently, my family has sent my little brother off to war. Twice he has gone to Iraq (or the "sandbox" as he calls it) to fly his huge helicopter in this seemingly neverending occupation we have gotten ourselves into. We don't always know exactly where he is, so everytime a helicopter crash is reported on the news we sit on the edge of our seats...waiting. My mom and I message back and forth "Have you heard from him?" It is a roller coaster ride of emotions when he is gone. He is most likely going to Afghanistan next spring.

So regardless of my feelings toward our government and the agendas and conspiracies that shape this nation's history, I highly respect the men and women who put their entire life on hold while they put themselves in harm's way, and their families who ride that roller coaster of emotion whenever they watch their son or daughter leave. It takes a special type of person to make the sacrifices that our military members make. My hat is off to you. Thank you for your service.

Pictured from top to bottom:

*My dad- David Welihan (Army)

*My husband- Jason "Pudge" Lovorn (Army)

*My brother- Jayson Welihan (Marines)

*My grandpa- William Welihan (Marines)