Wall of Honor at Anna's Elementary School
Veteran’s Day for me is a day to both honor fellow veterans but also be humbled by the fact that I had the privilege of serving my country. I wanted to use this blog entry as a way to thank the many veterans in my life:
My family:
My wife Holly (US Army, 2002-2003) My father Loren (US Army 1971-1977), My father-in-law Wayne (US Army), half of my aunt and uncles (Roger Nelson, Albert Nelson, Frances Bowers, Richard Nelson, Arnold Nelson), my cousins Charles Hahn, Jason Nelson, and Larry Nelson (hope I didn’t miss any of you on this one), and my cousin’s son Cody Nelson.
Veterans I served with:
The “Black Lions” from basic training (October 2001 – January 2002) at Ft. Jackson, SC, fellow language students at the Defense Language Institute (January 2002 – June 2003) in Monterey, CA, technical school at Goodfellow AFB (June 2003 – November 2003) in San Angelo, TX, fellow soldiers in the D Co. 311th MI Bn and B Co 4th BSTB, 4th BCT, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) (November 2003 – July 2007) at Ft. Campbell, KY, and my fellow instructors and students from B Co, 344th MI Bn (July 2007 – November 2008) at Goodfellow AFB, TX.
I also have many classmates from high school and college (and even younger as I’ve learned from Facebook) that have served honorably or still serve today. I thank all of you too for your service.
How did I celebrate this 11/11/11?
I started by thanking a few via Facebook. I made an appearance at my daughter’s elementary school for their Veteran’s Day celebration. I couldn’t stay long but Holly was able to enjoy most of it. I then head over to Stanardsville, VA, to join my fellow American Legion Post 128 members for the annual Vet’s Day ceremony at the Greene County Courthouse. I served in the rifle squad and was happy Holly and the kids were able to make it.
How else did I celebrate? I gave a $10 donation to the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). IAVA is a group of like minded veterans that served in either Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. If you want to do more than just say thank you, I have a few suggestions:
- Text ‘IAVA’ to 20222 to make a $10 donation or visit the IAVA donation website
- Send a care package to a vet via Any Soldier
- Support my friend’s video games for troops charity – Operation Supply Drop
- Sponsor a veteran by purchasing a one year membership in the American Legion
- Own a business, considering hiring a vet
- Support the USO
- Give your veteran employee a paid day off today!
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