Remembering not to forget

As you all know, yesterday was Vets day. This day is cool because lots of times you get off of work! But it's also really about something. J and I have step-dads and grandparents, aunts and uncles, and lots of friends who all have served or are still serving with the military, and obviously J rocks the Navy uniform himself. Now, I don't care what your political opinions or beliefs may be, I think that you have to respect and appreciate the sacrifices that have been made, and those that are implicit in the lives of those who serve. Those sacrifices are not small.
Even though Veterans Day will probably be something Little One gets psyched about as she grows up because she might get out of school, J and I want her to get the real reason the day is special, too. Yesterday we had the opportunity to begin that lesson straightaway, in a very moving way.
There are a couple of close family friends who were always there when I grew up, awesome people, and they met in Vietnam. She was his nurse when he was wounded, and he says he knew the minute he saw her that she was The One. They were married for 34 years, until she passed away just before J and I got married. She was my "aunt", and my school nurse, and took care of my sister and I in a lot of ways through the years.
Yesterday J and Little One and I had the honor of standing behind my 'uncle' as as my 'aunt' and other women vets were remembered in a ceremony at the Vietnam Women's Memorial. It was sobering to be there, with other families who have lost loved ones, but also uplifting to get to hear my 'uncle' share memories about her and the extraordinary way they met and built a life. It was a really special way to celebrate the day.
I know that she is far too little to remember (this is why we have pictures) but it meant a lot to me to have Little One there. Because this was a special friend and I want her to know about honoring those you love, but also because the memorial itself is so meaningful. You rarely hear about the women who serve and die in wars, but they have been there. You rarely see a memorial or hear a speech about the heroism of women in conflict, but there are many who are heroic.
I want Little One to understand that, to understand that the sacrifices these women made weren't only for Her country and for all of us, but in another way were also made to pave the way for Little One, and me, and all of us girls to be respected and valued in a way we have always been but not always recognized for; as fighters.

If you're a Vet, and I know some of you are, Thank You. If you're the family or friend of a Vet who knows that there are also sacrifices made by those who love and support those in uniform, Thank You too. And I'd like to throw out a special bit of love for my 'aunt', who spent a lifetime serving others, and continues to inspire.

An extra salute to my own amazing officer, too. I love you, J.