11/11/2025
Happy Veteran’s Day to my favorite vet: my dad.
(Yes, he will likely throttle me for sharing this candid photo of him from the 1970s, but it’ll be worth it.👨🏾😂) My dad has always provided me with a great example of hard work, diligence, and mutual understanding and respect of others along the way.
If you didn’t know, I almost joined the Navy back in 2003. I wanted to be like my dad. 😉 I got to the point of sitting down with my recruiter and other officers at the local outpost in North Carolina, with the papers in front of me to sign. I always felt the call to serve - I don’t know how to explain it other than that.🤷♀️
I wanted to learn to become a pilot and travel the world. I was planning to commit to 8 years minimum for flight school after going through Officer Candidate School (OCS), and I would’ve likely been stationed in Pensacola after OCS at the start of the Iraq War. The officers mapped out my entire plan for me, like they do.
I was scared sh*tless staring at those papers to commit to this life plan. So scared that I opted not to join that day. (My recruiter was amazing and we actually stayed in touch for years after that, and I even got to watch his kids grow up and everything.🥹)
I remember having endless conversations with my dad about joining, and the moral dilemmas (as a Buddhist) that I felt at the time. He always handled it with care and the best listening ear he could offer. It was ultimately up to me, he assured me. I love you, dad!
Do I regret not joining? Sometimes.
Do I love all of the active military members and veterans I’ve met over the years? Absolutely.
Happy Veteran’s Day to all who have served. It’s not easy, but it’s memorable work, and it’s beautiful to watch people of different backgrounds and beliefs come together for a common cause. May we find that more and more as a nation in the years to come.🫶
