Reflections on Veterans Day as an Army brat and wife

🪖 This week, I pause with deep gratitude for all who have served our country, and especially for two of my favorite veterans: my dad and husband. Together, they devoted over four decades in the United States Army, giving fully of themselves from basic training to leadership roles to retirement in Texas.

This service was marked not just by duty, but by sacrifice. And that sacrifice doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.

Many veterans continue to carry the weight of their experiences long after leaving the battlefield. Some face challenges re-entering civilian life. Others navigate financial realities that don’t match public perception. While serving in the military offers a steady paycheck (when the government isn’t shut down), it’s not a windfall. When my dad served, we knew fellow military families who faced food insecurity. And even after decades of service, retirement pay often necessitates building second careers just to catch up with their civilian peers. All done while simultaneously adjusting to a new normal and carrying the ghosts of the past.

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Loving a veteran also means sacrifice. Sometimes that sacrifice means understanding your parent isn’t going to be there for a major milestone. Sometimes it means, saving money to cover the hundreds of dollars spent on long-distance calls overseas (before internet and VOIP calling). And sometimes it means lending a sympathetic ear to help a loved one process trauma. A military career and lifestyle is an honor that comes with obstacles, but it’s worth it. It’s worth it for the soldier. It’s meaningful for their families. And it’s benefits are unquantifiable for the U.S. citizens at home.

As we honor veterans this week, I hope we look beyond the ceremonies and consider the everyday and invaluable sacrifices they’ve made and continue to make. While we sit in our comfy offices with corporate privileges, let’s remember our veterans by supporting their journey and putting our gratitude into action.

🫡 And to my husband and my father, I thank you. Your strength, service, and love inspire me every day.