Thanks to All Our Vets!

I would like to extend a hearty THANK YOU to all of our vets across the country and around the world, wherever they may be. Unfortunately there are still wars and hot spots across the globe that require sending our troops into harms way. In other cases, the various branches of the military are stationed where they need to be to be able to respond to conflicts if they should arise. In some instances, military equipment, as well as men and women are utilized to respond to natural disasters. These men and women don't have a say in where and when they'll serve. Once they sign on the dotted line they become government property and serve at the pleasure of those in charge, regardless of their political affiliation. All too often, the spouses and children of these service men and women are forgotten, and yet they bear the brunt of keeping the household running smoothly. I can only imagine how hard it is for a wife to have to keep up a brave face for the kids while she worries about her husband's well being. They have to deal with the loneliness and stress. So I would like to also thank all the spouses who wait for the return of their loved ones, who endure the long days and nights alone. I hope that as a nation we can lift up all the military families in prayer and ask for God Almighty's hand of protection, peace and prosperity on them all. I looked on History.com  and printed out a few facts on veterans today.

16.1 million living veterans served during at least one war
2 million veterans are women
7 million veterans served during the Vietnam War
5.5 million veterans served during the Persian Gulf War
Of the 16 million Americans who served during World War II, 558,000 are still alive
As of 2014, three states have more than one million veterans- California (1.8 million) Florida (1.6 million) and Texas (1.7 million). Though I don't have the statistics, it runs in my mind that here in Alaska we have the largest vet population per capita of all the states.

I know that there are a number of businesses that are honoring vets with a free meal today, and I greatly appreciate the offer. We're free to conduct business and carry on with our lives because others have paid or are paying the price for our freedom. I hope that the citizens of this country will check out ways to help our vets. There are several organizations whose purpose is to work for the well being of vets. Several come to mind right away - the DAV, Disabled American Vets works to help those who have suffered a loss as the result of combat. Samaritan's Purse, founded by Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham runs a program called Operation Heal Our Patriots, where vets who have suffered an injury as a result of combat are flown with their spouses to a remote lodge in Alaska where they can spend a week healing physically, emotionally and spiritually and and can renew their commitment to their spouses. I hope you check them out. Two of my favorite vets are pictured above, my sons Ben and Brian. Thanks boys for your service, and a hearty thank you to my daughter-in-law Candace who also served. Well done folks!