In my house growing up, I was always taught the importance of honoring our Veterans. My grandfather was a huge influence on my life, and I always looked up to him and his more than 30 years of service to his country in the United States Army, serving in both the Vietnam and Iraq wars. Every Veterans Day, I would make the same phone call and give the same speech to him: “Just wanted to call and say happy Veterans Day to my favorite grumpy, old soldier. You’re my hero and I love you.”
I am forever grateful for my family members who risked their lives serving our great nation, and for all Veterans who had a part in ensuring that we can enjoy the many freedoms that most of us probably never even think about.