Freedom.

This blog is for those who have served our country.

As most of you know today is Veteran's Day. I love this day, really I do. There are so many reasons why I love Veteran's Day, but the main reason is the reactions veterans have: they show such great love for our country. I cannot describe to you why, but every time I see a veteran in their uniform I get teary eyed. I cannot explain why, but there is something inside of me that automatically reverts to crying. I get chills every time I hear "God Bless America." I always have an urge to meet the veterans. I want to hear their stories, to learn from them.

One of the reasons why the military means so much to me is because of my Dad. My Dad never served in the military, but he is absolutely obsessed. He loves WWII especially. I think I get my love of history and my love for the military from my Dad. I remember this specific vacation we took when I was about 15 years old. We had stopped in Fredericksburg, TX so my Mom and sister could shop. Meanwhile my Dad and I took a tour of the Pearl Harbor museum they have. I remember many vacations that had to do with some civil war cemetery or taking a tour of some old naval ship. I loved this and it will forever be something my Dad and I share.

This past summer (Summer 2009) I got the opportunity to Study Abroad to Oxford, England (another thing I am absolutely obsessed with). One of our trips we took was to Normandy. I will cherish these memories forever. They mean so much to me. It was insane standing on the same beaches that our past soldiers had. Our tour guide said the weather was exactly as it had been 65 years ago. The awesome part was that we were in Normandy on D-Day plus 2 (2 days after June 6, 1944). It made the experience even more meaningful. It was raining and so cold. It put everything into perspective. I tried to understand, even tried to comprehend what it was like that same day, 65 years earlier.

A veteran we met in a museum in Normandy. He was awesome. (Notice the purple heart)

Remains from the floating harbor they built.

Allies

Kylah, Lacy, and I on Omaha Beach 

The U.S. cemetery in Normandy. This took my breath away. 

Unknown Soldier. Brought tears to my eyes.

Pointe Du Hoc

Famous statue in St. Mere Eglise. Paratrooper who caught on the spire and pretended to be dead until Germans took him captive.

Area around Pointe Du Hoc where Army Rangers scaled the cliffs. Those are wholes from bombs. It was bombed for 24 hours straight.

That day on those beaches changed my life. As cliche as that sounds it made our history so real. I have always loved and respected those who have served for our country, but from that day on it will have a whole new meaning to me.