Veteran's Day

Veteran’s Day has a new meaning to me this year. In the past, I’ve always said I was grateful for the men and women protecting our country - and I really did mean it.

But this year.

It’s different.

For the first time in my life, when I say I’m grateful for the men and women currently in the military protecting our country, I’m including my husband in the mix - something I’ve never experienced before.

I always get a little chocked up when I think about him being deployed one day.

Do you know that song “American Solder” by Toby Keith? It was playing on the radio a few months ago as I commuted to work. I’ve heard that song a hundred times before, but I started crying as I listened to the words:

I'm just trying to be a father

Raise a daughter and a son

Be a lover to their mother

Everything to everyone

Up and at 'em, bright and early

I'm all business in my suit

Yeah, I'm dressed up for success

From my head down to my boots

I don't do it for the money

There's bills that I can't pay

I don't do it for the glory

I just do it anyway

Providing for our future's my responsibility

Yeah I'm real good under pressure

Being all that I can be

And I can't call in sick on Mondays

When the weekends been too strong

I just work straight through the holidays

And sometimes all night long

You can bet that I stand ready when the wolf growls at the door

Hey, I'm solid, hey I'm steady, hey, I'm true down to the core

And I will always do my duty no matter what the price

I've counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice

Oh, and I don't want to die for you

But if dyin's asked of me

I'll bear that cross with honor

'Cause freedom don't come free

I'm an American soldier, an American

Beside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a stand

When Liberty's in jeopardy, I will always do what's right

I'm out here on the front line

Sleep in peace tonight

American soldier, I'm an American soldier

So, this Veteran’s Day when I say I’m grateful for the men and women serving our country, I’m especially grateful for my American Soldier.