Armed Forces Day

We took the kids out to Ft. Lewis today for an Armed Forces Day Celebration. It was great to see the families show up and all of the great memorabilia from the past. As a homeschool mother, I was awfully proud that my 10 year old could identify the Allies in WWII! How many adults you know can even do that! (For that matter- I heard that a majority of Americans cannot identify our Vice President today- a majority!)

It was super to be there, but also an odd blast from the past. Mike and I met when he was a soldier at Ft. Lewis and so some of our old dating stomping grounds are on base and in Tacoma where the base is located. Before that even, my best friend when I was in high school and I spent too much time on and near base with a handful of friends who were either active duty or people who still hung out with active duty soldiers. ( We really weren't those kinds of girls!)

And then, there were two years I spent on base in Great Britain, one year in England and one in Scotland. My base in England, High Wycombe at Bushy Hall is closing for good this week. My school is shutting down and it's a sad thing to know the place I graduated is now standing vacant. Alas, the American presence in Post World War II Europe is diminshing as we establish presence in the Middle East.

I am forever grateful for my time in and around the US Military. It was a stable source for my life in the midst of certain instability and chaos. I am more deeply grateful for the servicemen and women of present and past who honor us with their service and commitment. My ex-Ranger husband makes me proud, my Reserve Coast Guard brother-in-law makes me proud; all of you who have put time into service make me proud. Thank you for your service.