Thank you veterans! That includes everyone, in war-time and peace-time, that has served our country, whether overseas or in Wichita, KS. There are many who only think of war-time vets on Veteran's Day. But everyone who served is important and worthy of our deepest respect.
I served in the Air Force 20 years ago, from 1984 to 1987. I was an x-ray tech and was stationed at Lackland AFB in San Antonio for basic training, Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, TX, and Wichita, KS. Not exactly exotic ports of call. I didn't consider myself a hero for joining the military - I joined because my girlfriend/new wife was pregnant. And I don't recall thinking that it was a great sacrifice, until toward the end when I was put on mobility and could be called up any time, day or night, to get shipped out - maybe when we got on that plane we were just flying around as a preparedness exercise, or maybe it was to fly to the other side of the world to setup a MASH unit. We didn't know. Imagine kissing your wife goodbye and not knowing where you were going...
That is the beauty of the sacrifice of military service. People dedicate their lives for four years to go wherever they are told to go, and to defend the country and the Constitution. Heady stuff that I didn't fully consider on that cold day in January 1984. I had never even been on a plane before!
Looking back, I historically have not really considered myself a veteran, except for checking the box on the employment application, if necessary. And no one has ever thanked me for my service. Until last year. I work at Cargill, and last year they invited me to a Veteran's celebration. At first, I said, "well I didn't fight in a war", and I wasn't in the Army, and I didn't lose a friend, or an arm or a leg. But it didn't matter, they invited me anyway. And they invited me again this year and I won a prize in the drawing. And they thanked me for my service. And that meant alot to me.
In the current wars (and in Desert Storm), the Air Force has played a larger role, with logistics, air support, and medical treatment. And logistics means alot when you are a fighting force of 300K+ in two theaters of war.
So, if you are a veteran, if you served, no matter if you were in peace-time or war-time, in a fighting unit or in a support role, I thank you today for your service and your sacrifice.