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!

It’s Veterans Day and everyone should take some time to say thanks to a veteran. If it wasn’t for the sacrifices made by our military, I certainly wouldn’t have the freedom to write all this drivel to my crappy website.

Believe it or not, there was a time when I was considering a stint with the U.S. Marine Corps. I come from a long line of Marines and many in my family were thrilled that I’d be the first girl in the family to enlist.

I had a recruiter who would come to my house once a month to discuss my future career plans. Sgt. Burnside was his name and I only mention that because how friggin’ quintessential is that name for a Marine?! We would talk, watch videos about the Marines, discuss the benefits of a life in the military as well as the drawbacks, and he expressed to me the level of pride that comes along with being a Marine. He was such a nice guy.

One thing that I always found remarkable was the videos he showed me. They didn’t sugarcoat ANYTHING! In one video that focused on women in the Marines, three seemingly quiet female Marines were sworn in as Drill Instructors and, once sworn in, they turned toward the new female recruits and began screaming with spit flying and bulging veins and all that. Sgt. Burnside laughed when we watched it.

Ultimately, I wimped out which only strengthens my respect for those who do make the decision to enlist. I chose to go straight to college and Sgt. Burnside never pressured me. He never questioned my decision and he would occasionally call me to see how I was doing.

So, to those who didn’t wimp out, thank you.