Serving our Country

This is my Dad in his Air Force Uniform. I have no idea of the date this was taken. There is no one left to ask. My dad has been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, and has been rapidly declining in the past few months. It has been unbearably brutal to watch this proud man lose his memory, coordination and power of speech. He is one of the most witty, intelligent, hard working people I've ever known. I love him. He never lectured us. He would just make a few comments, and then go about his business. We learned by his quiet example.
We've been talking a lot about the military around our dinner table this past week. My nephew just got on a plane last Sunday to enter the Marines. It's a bitter-sweet time for his family. It's part of life to see our kids grow up and we expect them to move on in some fashion...but my nephew chose to serve our country. Like his Grandpa. It takes a certain kind of courage, resolve, dare I say hardiness to make this choice. I for one, am very proud of this boy. I'm guessing that now that he's survived his first week of boot-camp, we'll have to call him a man.
We're thinking about you every day Sam. And praying for you to have the physical and emotional strength to continue to do your best!