#30DaysOfThanks Day 10: Veterans.

You sacrificed your time with your family. You trained for this and you wanted it more than you may have ever wanted anything. Your family watched as you graduated from basic training with tears in their eyes. Tears of pride. Tears of joy. Tears that are filled with the knowledge that your graduation from some of the most grouling contests you've met to date, only meant you would meet a more grouling battle in the future ... but this time the enemy would be real. You moved to a far away place, most likely, and you trained with your closests new brothers for your tour of whatever far away land you would be sent to. I hope each of you know that even then, you were our hero. Because you stepped up to the plate. You knew what was immenent and you made the choice to be a defender of freedom in the face of whatever adversity you would meet. You knew you could make no stipulations. You stepped up to the plate anyways. You were our hero, even then.

And then you went. With all your fears and all your special memories in tow, you went. You got on the plane and you went. I can't imagine what was going through your mind. But I'm thankful for your untamed bravery. I'm thankful that you chose to go and fight for freedom for millions of people that you've never met ... because above all else you understand that freedom is what this country is made of and you have taken on the responsibility of protecting that even though no one forced you to. You are our hero.

You stood on the front lines with some of the best men you'll ever know. Knowing that through some power within you, you would stand together and fight evil back to the gates of hell. Whatever war you were in, whatever cause you faught for, your efforts and your love for your country and your bravery will be forever celebrated. Those of us who have never faught will likely never know just how much you've been through, but you can rest tonight in the knowledge that there's a girl somewhere in Alabama that is praying that you only remember the victories and not the hard times.

Even now, years or months after you've returned, the things you saw there may try to take up space in your mind rent free. Know that you're our hero now, too. I want you to understand the depth of your commitment means something to this nation. The things you've gone through are appreciated more than you'll ever know by people you'll likely never get a chance to meet. You're our hero now, too.

Thank you, American Servicemen. Thank you for whatever it is you've placed your brave self in front of and conquered so that I can live a life that isn't dictated to. Your heart and your bravery and your sacrifice and the sacrifice of the ones you love ... You're golden. And I can't thank you enough.

So to you, brave heros, may your days be long a prosperous and may God be the shield that protects you all the days of your life. Thank you.