My brother is a Marine Vet. It was the only time we have ever been close. I got to play Mama to him and four of his fellow servicemen during their enlistment. I tried to join the Air Force myself but was told I was too fat. It was before the wars, so I’d imagine the recruiter didn’t think it necessary to indulge a 19 year old in snake skin pants, stilettos and tits pushed up to her ears who was demanding a written guarantee giving the position of Air Traffic Controller and to be stationed at the Travis Air Force base.
9/11 is probably the hardest day of the year for me, as my brother was on float heading to Afghanistan with us having no idea where he was. A monster of a boss got angry at me for being in tears and forced me to call New York on business. The answer and response on the other end of that call was just what would be expected. Not good.
That day makes it even more important to make Veteran’s Day a time of celebration for my brother, my two best friends who were living with us and the other boys who we made our military family with. Also for the other friends and exes who have served as well as everyone else out there who has done the same. Painful memories of what their time did to them and myself as someone who cared about them will haunt anything related, but I choose to let the happiness of their enlistments shine through on this day. It’s their day and I love them.
At such a young age many had no idea what they were really signing up for or why. They were trained and did as they were told in blind faith as they served our country. Giving so much of themselves, these people will always have a strong foundation of pride in their lives that I am honored to be able to help celebrate.
While I’ll always hold a grudge at my bro for telling one of our boys that he couldn’t take me to the Marine Ball, I’m happy and proud that I could play the roll I did and am excited to celebrate this day with and for them.
To all the vets out there, I salute you.
