My boss yelled at me the other day because I put “Happy Veterans Day” in the paper. No, he’s not against veterans, he didn’t like using “happy.” I think he’s got Memorial Day, which is more solemn, confused with Veterans Day which, I think, is a celebration of those who served.

Anyway, on Veterans Day, I like to make sure I thank every veteran I see for making sacrifices for me, you, and us. And, wouldn’t you know it, I don’t have to go far to find a veteran as my dad is a veteran of both the Air Force and the Marine Corps. And he is PROUD of his service.

That was a photo of my dad in the Marines, stationed in Puerto Rico. The photo was dated March 29, 1980 and I must note that it is an official press photograph for the Department of the Navy. $5 if you can find my dad. And yes, if I wasn’t one-year-old at the time, I probably would’ve been all about Mr. Shirtless on the end. Hubba hubba. (I just realized that guy is probably my dad’s age now, grooooooooooooooooooss!)

My dad was drafted when he was 18-years-old in 1971 but since he was still in high school, it was delayed. Upon graduation, he decided to enlist in the Air Force as a M.P. Unfortunately, there were no available openings for M.P., so he decided to specialize in Jet Engine Mechanics.

My dad was honorably discharged in, I don’t know the year, and a few years later enlisted in the Marines when the Corps needed jet mechanics. I think he was a member of the Marines for four or five years. I probably should have asked him all this stuff before I decided to write about him, but whatever.

To all veterans and active duty members of the military, THANK YOU!