WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The month of November brings with it many thoughts – Thanksgiving, autumn, the upcoming holiday season and Veterans Day – gratitude is a pervasive theme.
November is Veterans and Military Families Month. It was established in 1996 by the Armed Services YMCA with the U.S. Government recognizing it yearly. Each November, the President signs a proclamation declaring November National Veterans and Military Families Month.
This is a time to celebrate and recognize the loved ones of our military, past and present, the support they give and the sacrifices they make.
Many local merchants in your area offer discounts during this time for veterans. Military.com posts information on discounts available being updated as more are opened so check back frequently.
Of note, it is important to recognize that there are those without families or loved ones. A family can be made up of more than blood relation or marriage that constitutes a supportive structure. The military family and its camaraderie is a draw for many to enlist or work within this area.
On a personal note, my dream job was to work on base. I grew up near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. My father was military then a federal worker. He would take me to events, cook-outs, lunches at his shop and I felt that sense of family. There was a sense of pride and honor within all of those interactions. I recognize that to be here is a privilege every day when I drive onto base and have the opportunity to serve the 445th Airlift Wing.
Military families provide the strength and fortitude for the structure that supports Airmen. When this service ends, they continue to provide this same steadfast care to veterans. Military families, by blood or those close, understand what it means to serve. Each day they stand by during long trainings, extended duty and deployments. Knowing the time spent away from home and the risks, they selflessly accept and choose this life of service. During times of solitude, they stay resolute in knowing that serving is an honor. This makes me think of a quote by A.A. Milne, “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”