A Veteran: My Dad

Today is Veteran’s Day. On this day we honor and thank those that have served our country and given their lives for our freedom. My father served 20 years in the United States Navy. My father was stationed on the USS Enterprise and floating off the coast of Vietnam during the Vietnam War on the day I was born-he received a telegram telling him that he had a baby girl. At the time, he was working on jets (maintenance, I believe) when an opportunity to join the new nuclear program was introduced. My dad wanted to enter the program, they allowed him to but told him that it was an incredibly intense program and he would most likely not make it through. Well, he did and worked in the nuclear field throughout his naval career and after retirement. I feel very fortunate that during my growing up, formative years we were not at war. Except for the first few years after I was born I never experienced my father leaving into a known dangerous situation-for this I feel very grateful and blessed. My thoughts are with those families that have dealt with and are dealing with that on this day. I am my father’s daughter and am immensely proud of that fact.

My Dad & I