Thread by @LadyJayPersists

#IAmAVeteran

To understand a military veteran you must know:

We left home as teenagers, or in our early twenties, for an unknown adventure.

We loved our country enough to defend and protect it with our lives.

We said goodbye to friends, family, and everything we knew.

We were taught the basics and then we were scattered into the wind, to every corner of the world.

We found new friends who became family.

We became brothers and sisters, regardless of race, color, or creed.

We had plenty of good times, and plenty of bad times.

We never got enough sleep. Some of us smoked and drank too much.

We picked up both good, and bad, habits.

We worked hard and we played harder.

We didn’t earn a great wage.

We experienced the happiness of mail call and the sadness of missing family events.

We didn’t know when, or if, we would ever see home again.

We had to grow up fast, yet somehow, we never really grew up at all.

We fought for our freedom, as well as the freedom of others.

Some of us saw the world, some of us didn’t.

Some of us dealt with physical warfare, most of us dealt with psychological warfare, and continue to long after we come home.

We have seen, experienced, and dealt with things that we can’t fully describe or explain, as not all of our sacrifices were physical.

We participated in time honored ceremonies and rituals with each other, strengthening our bonds and camaraderie.

We counted on each other to get our job done, and sometimes just to survive it.

We have seen victory and we have dealt with tragedy.

We have celebrated and mourned.

We lost some along the way.

When our adventure was over some of us went back home, some of us started somewhere new, and then there were those who never made it back.

We have told amazing and hilarious stories of our exploits and adventures.

We share an unspoken bond with each other that most people don’t experience, and even fewer would understand.

We speak highly of our own branch of service and poke fun at the other branches.

We know, however, that if need be, we will be there for our brothers and sisters and stand together as one, with one heartbeat.

Being a Veteran was something that we had to earn, and can never be taken away.

It has no monetary value, but at the same time, it’s a priceless gift

People see a Veteran and thank them for their service.

When we see each other, we give that little head nod, or a slight smile, knowing that we have shared and experienced things that most people have not.

So from myself to the rest of my brothers and sisters out there, I commend and thank you for all you have done and sacrificed for this country.

I am honored and humbled to be counted among your ranks.

Try and remember the good times and make peace with the bad times.

Share your stories.

But most importantly, stand tall and proud, for you have earned the right to be called a Veteran.

#WeHonorVeterans