Thank You

"Young men and women are risking their lives, their futures, in many cases their own opportunities to marry or have children. They risk the blessing of sitting on their front porch and watching the sunset as grandkids chase the neighbor’s cat across the front lawn.

Or perhaps they choose to do none of those things. But without a heartbeat they will have no choice.

Consider that, will you? The fact that men and women of our military and emergency services risk so willingly every day, so bravely, is awe inspiring. They make Superman, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman and every other childhood hero look like losers. These soldiers are too big for comic book pages and movie screens."

Jason F. Wright 'Are You Proud To Be An American?' Deseret News

The bulk of the article that this quote is from is about feeling 'It', being proud to be an American. He gives different examples of when he or others have felt 'It' and asks you if you have.

I have definitely felt it before but I have never felt it more then I have this past year. My sense of gratitude and pride has increased so much more than I could have ever imagined and I have three very important people in my life to thank for this: Mike, Mariah, and Ammon.

Ammon just finished his duty with The National Guard in February after 9 years. Thankfully he never had to go over seas but he did help with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Viewing his duty to go to Louisiana really gave me a different view of what a National Guard soldier is asked to do. Its not just 1 weekend a month, 3 weeks a year at all. You are on call to come fight a fire (like the one at Camp Williams), literally help save people or prevent future damage during natural and other disasters, fight overseas, and so much more. I am so proud to be able to tell everyone that the man I love made this sacrifice. I couldn't ask for a better man to have and love and call my own.

Mike has been in The National Guard almost a year now. I have never seen someone more dedicated than Mike is. He truly loves his country. Not only does he fulfill his duty to be a soldier but he does it positively. Of course he could focus on the negative but I have never heard him do it. Even though he was away from home he loved basic training and I know that didn't come without effort. Now as he gears up to train and go to the middle east he is still upbeat and happy and optimistic. I feel so unbelievably proud to have my big brother (in law) overseas for me, for my family, for that guy who will probably hit on his wife while he's gone, for his mom, for his little brother, for the old lady down the street he's never met, for you. I will miss him so much when he leaves but I know that he will be ok. I know that he will remain strong. I know that the Lord will be with him every single step of the way. I know he will not lose faith. I know this because I know he is a great man who is stronger than this deployment and has so much to come home to.

Mariah. Oh my little baby sister. I cannot express how 'in awe' of her I am. She is The strongest woman I know and I am so happy and grateful that I get to call her my sister. She is my support, my encouragement, my conscience at times, my inspiration, my confidant, my best friend. And on top of all this she is the amazing wife of an even more amazing married couple. They were married on August 7 and he left (i think) on August 16. She got to see him for 2 days in October for his basic training graduation, he got 10 days home for Christmas, and then came back in January. Now he starts training this month, comes back in August for a few days, goes to Texas in September, gets a few days for Christmas, then ships out to the middle east. This is all in their FIRST TO SECOND YEAR of marriage. She remains so strong, faithful, diligent, and responsible while he is gone, and she remains positive and productive. It is amazing the amount of strength one has when you are called upon to use it and this woman is the strongest I know.

Thank you Ammon for being the kind of man that is willing to sacrifice for the greater good and being the man that I need. Thank you Mike for being the man that you are, for sacrificing your time with your wife and family to protect all of us here at home, for being the most amazing husband to Mariah, and for keeping her safe and happy.

Before Mike came into our lives I never really thought about the families of our armed forces, what they go through, how much they sacrifice but now I know. So thank you. Thank you Mariah for being the best friend and sister I could ask for, for sacrificing your time with your amazing husband for all of us here, for staying strong through all of this (but its ok to be sad too, I'm always here), and for doing it all with your unwavering positivity and faith (I learn so much from you). And thank you to Alisha, Brad, Grandma Joan, and others who raised such an amazing man. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such a strong, loving, and supportive family to Mariah, and for your sacrifice to our country. I know its not easy. I'm trying not to cry at work while I write this and I'm only his sister-in-law. He truly is one of the best things to ever happen to our family and it is because he was raised and loved and taught by such wonderful and kind people.

I am so proud to have these people and examples in my life. I am proud to love each of them. I am proud I get to learn from them everyday. I am proud to be an American.