live juicy

On this day I used to call my father and thank him for serving in WWII and defending our country against forces that threatened to bring the world to its knees. I cannot do this any longer, except to a stone that bears his name and a feeble attempt by some local artist to pay homage to a man for whom the bell tolled. It was his time, but before he was taken so early, he was a young man who stood up against the tyranny that threatened to take the entire world under its spell. 

Today I sit here and type this entry, and realize that the one thing in life that I regret, the one and only thing is not being more vigilant in my quest to be part of a small group of our society that stands up and says, “NO!” Puts their life on the line and says, “HELL NO!” I sat in a Navy recruitment office with all my paperwork filled out in triplicate. I was applying for Seal school. It’s all I wanted and all I would stand for from my giving. Alas, it was something that they could not offer me. I was 18; fit, willing and able, yet flawed with a hole in my head. They wanted me, I had scored in the top 10 percentile on my entry test. 

I walked out of the office sad, depressed and angry at the things in life that would hold me back. Would it figure that years later and an entire lifetime lived that I would meet a girl so kind, that I was swept away. She was stationed at Seal Team 1 in Coronado. She enlisted and became the hero I never could. She served her country and kept her team in tip-top shape. So, I married her! 

This is for all who were more persistent than I. Those who protect and serve to keep freedom, keep peace and assure all will have their day as they choose. This is FREEDOM. Today I sit and thank all those who have gone before me and shall go after to defend this life. But not just today should we give thanks, but everyday; for everyday they are willing to give the utmost to assure this freedom. Hats off, eyes down, hearts high. Ladies and Gentlemen, I THANK YOU!