Happy Veterans Day to all my fellow veterans!

There’s a bumper sticker that hangs on the wall above my computer. Someone gave it to me, and I once displayed in my office. It reads:

If You Can Read This, Thank a Teacher.

If You Can Read This in English,

Thank A Veteran!

Today is the day to thank Veterans for all they have done for us.

Of all the jobs I ever had, my favorite one was serving in the United States Air Force. My parents were not exactly excited when I proudly walked through the door and told them I was leaving in two weeks for basic training. They did not even know I had been talking to recruiters. I think my dad said something like, “I’m gonna find that $%^$ recruiter and have a talk with him.”

Several months later I returned a changed man – a change that my parents and my friends saw. Many of the things I learned in the military – like attention to detail, being on-time, and finishing the mission – still guide me today.

“The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.” -Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States

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