Hug a Veteran Day

Well my Christy beat me to the punch and thanked me for my service by posting a comment in the last entry. OK, she has an excuse since she's currently in Germany and has been awake for 6 more hours than I have!
I joined the Air Force when I was 20. My mom took it hard, and looking back it was sort of an impulsive move. In my defense we weren't exactly the kind of family that had discussions about anything important. Or perhaps it was more that I thought I was smart enough to do whatever I wanted. I was not happy with my life the way it was. I was taking college classes, but failing miserably, since I had no discipline and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life (forward 20 years later and I STILL have no clue!). One of my friends had joined the Air Force a year earlier and I had a chance to visit him. That was pretty much when I decided military life was for me.
I met with a recruiter a couple times, took the ASVAB and signed up to ship out. I spent 6 weeks in basic training, 2 weeks in technical training (most of my job, by nature, was on the job training) and made it home in time to celebrate Christmas of 1987 with my family. I spent my 4 active duty years as an Air Defense radar operator (sort of like an air traffic controller, identifying air craft as they entered American air space). When I left active duty I took a full time Reserve Position doing a job in the command and control center (which was very similar in many ways to the position I had on active duty). After 2 years of that I spent 2 years as a weekend warrior with the Guard.
During my enlistment I served in Rome (that's in upstate New York!), Tucson and right outside of Washington D.C. I don't regret a moment of my service and think more people should give it a try. It would certainly give some of our spoiled youth a glimpse into what's important in life.
I know some of you have served, some of you have children serving, some of you are military wives and I thank you for your sacrifices.
Freedom isn't free