Op-Eds

I watch the work of our service men and women with admiration, and I am continually grateful for their bravery. Our country is fortunate to have such exceptional individuals.

This Veterans Day I want to take time to express my appreciation for not only our veterans and active military, but their families. It is not just the soldier who serves our country; it is his or her entire family.

The daily sacrifices of our military families enable our men and women in uniform to serve our nation. Their commitment goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Spouses, children, parents and grandparents know what it is like to wake up each morning in hopes of hearing from their soldier, waiting for the day when they will return home. Sadly, for some families, rather than a hug and a kiss they receive a folded flag and the thanks of a grateful nation for their loved one’s sacrifice.

We must remember those whose soldier never came home and their loved one who selflessly gave their life on the front lines to serve a greater purpose.

My family knows this pain all too well. In 1952, my uncle Bobby was killed in Korea. Bobby’s parents, my grandparents, told their grandchildren regularly about the uncle they would never meet in an effort to preserve the life he had lived. The sacrifice all veterans and their families make was real for our family.

I hope you will take the time to remember not only all of our veterans and service members, but their families and loved ones who truly embody what it means to be an American. We should all do everything we can to continue to support and encourage them.

I want to extend a heart-felt thank you to our troops, veterans and their families and my prayers will continue to go out for them.