Veteran's Day Remembrances

bygjshawk

1.6K followers

4 years ago

Thanks To All for Your Service!

I served too, for 21 years, 10 of which was as a helicopter pilot in the US Navy. Thanks to the service, I've seen much of this planet, more than probably 95% of the people in the world.

I learned that people everywhere are trying to improve their lives and get ahead. Sometimes their governments help, sometimes they make it harder, Most just want to live and let live.

Today my wife, a Navy veteran herself, and I went out to dinner. It was fun to observe all the people wearing unit ball caps or some other indicator of their service. I wore a "Retired Navy" ball cap myself. I noticed all kinds of people, from men with crew cuts to men with scraggly beards and pony tails. Some were young, most were old, some were really old.

Sorry, I couldn't pick out any women veterans, other than my wife, but I'm sure there were some. Maybe they were confident enough in themselves to not have to stand out.

I'm grateful for my experiences in the Navy. Through all those years, I've never been shot at, which is a blessing. I tip my hat to all those who survived combat.

I know that there are a lot of people in the world who don't have the opportunities and freedom that I have. I wish they did. I shake my head with sadness for those who have freedom and are willing to throw it away for the chance to get something for free.

Here's hoping that civilization can uplift people over the coming years, not drag them down.

This is my first post in quite a while. Nice to be back.

I'm Grant.