Happy Veterans Day!

In the picture above I hold one of my most prized possessions. It's a memorial bracelet for a veteran of the Iraq war who was from my city. This bracelet is something I NEVER remove unless I have to. 2nd Lt. Craver was killed on October 13, 2006 when an IED (improvised explosive device) went off near his military vehicle. He was 37 years old and he left behind a wife, three daughters, and a son. He and his family had just closed on a new house the day he shipped out to Iraq. He never got to sleep in that house.

2nd Lt. Craver was an Army Ranger, a Ranger instructor, and a decorated soldier. Among his medals is the Purple Heart.

For so many people, Veterans Day is just another day. Perhaps they have off from work or school. Perhaps they have lots going on in their lives and are too preoccupied to think of the significance of the day. Or perhaps they don't really recognize the sacrifices that our veterans make. I think it's a travesty for people to think or behave like that. I'm not one to tell people what to think or what to do by any means. But the least we can do on Veterans Day is recognize the men and women, past and present, who serve or who have served our country so bravely. They do what most people cannot or will not do...fight for, and defend, our freedoms.

To 2nd Lt. Craver, my dad, my dearly departed grandfathers, and veterans everywhere, THANK YOU! We owe you more than we can ever repay. May God bless you all.

By the way, if you're interested in obtaining a bracelet similar to the one I'm holding in the picture above, go to www.herobracelets.org. You can buy a bracelet honoring someone who currently serves in our military, or someone who was killed or wounded in action. Also, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the bracelets go to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which was set up to help build and maintain The Center For The Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. The Center For The Intrepid helps to care for and rehabilitate the members of our military who return from the Middle East with serious injuries. The bracelets are very reasonable in cost (most under $20, depending on personalization options, although some cost more). Every little bit helps to ensure that those who were wounded in war get the care and rehabilitation that they need. Plus, it's another way to say THANK YOU to our veterans.