Happy Veterans day to three generations of men in my family. Thank you just doesn’t seem big enough.

To my grandfather who was a special forces green beret and used to tell me stories as a little girl of para-trooping into remote parts of Africa and Vietnam, with vegetation so thick that the only way to get out was to hike out after the mission. I spent years holding the shiney metals and awards from his career in the Army between my fingers. They live in a box on his dresser and knowing the sacrifices that he made and those of my grandmother, aunts and father during all of those years he was away makes me feel immense pride.

To my father, who spent his early twenties overseas serving as an MP in the US Army - thank you daddy.

And to my little brother. My heart of hearts! Wayne - choosing to make a career out of your time in the Airforce has filled me with both pride and fear. I have held my heart in my throat for every second of both of your tours in Iraq and have missed our years apart as your assignments have taken you all over the US and abroad. But when I look at the man you have become - and think back to that little rascal of a brother who drove me nuts all of those years - I know that this is that path your life was destined to take. I am proud beyond proud of your achievements and all that you do every day to protect our country.

I love you!

With gratitude,

Your Melis