Thank you, veterans
To the editor:
As a 46-year-old woman my life has never been directly impacted by war, until now. I was never called to duty, I never felt the pressure of a draft, and I never worried that my son or daughter would put their life at risk to protect our freedom. Growing up, I had friends who had brothers who served in Vietnam, one who died. Today, I have many friends who courageously face each day in hopes that their child will return unharmed from Iraq. The honor they exhibit is astounding.
Each Memorial Day I send my uncle, a retired colonel in the Marine Corps, a thank you note. I thank him for the years he sacrificed with his family and mine to serve our country. My uncle was a helicopter pilot who flew rescue missions in Vietnam. He trained soldiers in Pensacola and North Carolina and served four tours of duty. When he was finally stateside he served as one of the pilots for the Marine helicopter squadron during the Reagan administration. Growing up, we rarely saw him but for the occasional holiday where he was the guest of honor. I asked him one day if he was ever afraid. He looked at me and said “Were you?” I said no, of course. “Good. I did my job, I served my country, I looked out for the boys I trained and it was my absolute honor to do so.”
Today, I send this “thank you” to all of you, who have been that very family member to someone else like me. I thank you for your service and for your patriotism.
Most of all I thank you for being one of the brave in this land of the free.
Anita Cereceda
Fort Myers Beach