Military

Growing up in a military home, I remember the times that my dad was gone. I remember when the phone would ring during a national disaster and that he would be mobilized. I remember summer camps and counting down the days. I remember the night my father took me out to the workshop to tell me that he got his orders to go to Kuwait for the first Persian Gulf war.

So when I see videos about military men and women surprising their families and and especially their children, I have no words. I have no words, because I remember those moments. I have no words because I remember the moments when my father would return from deployments and running to him. I have no words because not only do these men and women make the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country and our freedoms, but their families make a sacrifice as well.

So today, take a moment, watch this touching video of a boy who has not seen his father in a year. Take a moment, that if you see a service man or woman, to say thank you, but their meal or a beer or just give them a pat on the back.

http://wapc.mlb.com/cutfour/2014/06/24/81470546/video-gif-military-father-surprised-son-disguised-royals-catcher-first-pitch

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I was raised in an Army home, enough said right? I was raised to say sir and ma’am and call adults Mr. or Mrs. and then their last name. So to say that raising our kids with manners is important is an understatement.

In this day and time, I feel that our society has gotten away from manners. Children walking around calling adults, including their parents, by their first name. To this day, I still say sir to my father and I am 35 and a father of two little boys. I still say yes ma’am to my mother. Come to think of it, I say sir and ma’am to most everyone that I come in contact with and I do it, because I really do not know any difference.

Will I ask my children to use good manners and sir and ma’am, you bet I will.

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