“It’s about how we treat our veterans every single day of the year. It’s about making sure they have the care they need and the benefits that they’ve earned when they come home. It’s about serving all of you as well as you’ve served the United States of America.” ~ Barack Obama

As always, here are all the ways we should be thanking our veterans, active duty service men and women and those who have given their lives for our country.

Please remember those who have served that are STILL sacrificing these things on a regular basis because as much as people like to boast patriotism in this country, we still aren’t taking proper care of our veterans.

So, to all of the men and women who have served each branch of the military, thank you…

Thank you for sacrificing your time.

Thank you for sacrificing your safety.

Thank you for sacrificing your sleep.

Thank you for sacrificing being there for your children’s birthdays.

Thank you for sacrificing being there for the birth of your children.

Thank you for sacrificing being there for their first steps.

Thank you for sacrificing being there for their first words.

Thank you for sacrificing being there for their proms and graduations.

Thank you for sacrificing your holidays.

Thank you for sacrificing good food.

Thank you for sacrificing a comfortable place to sleep.

Thank you for sacrificing clean clothes.

Thank you for sacrificing hot showers.

Thank you for sacrificing your own physical and emotional wellbeing.

Thank you for sacrificing your life so that I have freedom to live mine.

So many sacrifices, large and small, being made every day — across the state, across the country and across the world — to make my life more comfortable to live.

To all of the men and women who are currently serving or are past service members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves. Thank you. It will never be enough, but I hope you know how thankful we are for your service.

Please remember 22 is 22 too many, so make sure you reach out to the veterans you know and check in. Reach out and be a shoulder and ear, because you never know when both may be needed.

And don’t forget that Webb Weekly and Dolly’s Diner are teaming up today to offer a free meal to all veterans at any of the Dolly’s locations until noon!

I’m not nearly ready to start thinking about the holidays yet, but they are right around the corner whether I like it or not. Around the Webb Weekly office, we are already starting to plan for our Holiday Gift Guide, which we will publish November 25th! That issue is sure to be packed with all sorts of holiday gift ideas — just in time for Black Friday!