Veterans Day 2011.
My Dad joined the Army out of college in the time of VietNam. He didn't have to go, he chose to because it was the right thing to do. He served well. Because it's the right thing to do. Infantry, then Airborne, then Ranger, then Special Forces (Green Beret). He served in Central America in the Panama Canal, swimming with SCUBA gear under the ships as they sunk in and out of the mud, looking for explosives.
I wasn't yet around when Dad was in the Army. But it was and is apparent in how he does things. He does what is right, even when it's not the 'cool' thing to do.
He taught me that things worth doing are worth doing well. He taught me to do the right thing. He taught me that a strong back and a strong mind are equally important. And he taught me that life keeps score--success and failure are up to you and when life seems stacked against you, you just push harder. Whether you think you can or think you cannot, you're right.
It was also fun to play with his Army toys.
This Veterans Day, thank you to all veterans.