Maria Kalikas

Happy Veterans Day

This day makes me feel eternal gratitude for all who served to keep us free. Seeing their friends die in front of them. Seeing horrific things in war that you wouldn't even want to believe are real. And yet, our veterans have seen it and returned home. When I think about all they've been through, I wonder what is worse experiencing that and coming back alive or never returning home to your family. And then later they retire having seen all that they have and finding themselves somewhere in society that is far different from the military.

It takes a person with character and a deep rooted value for service to others and country to have the courage to join the military and fight for our freedoms. What they've experienced is something many of us will never know or ever be able to understand.

This year at the Columbus, OH airshow and the Dayton airshow, I got to see battle reenactments. It was really cool to get an idea of what that would have been like. It makes me consider what was going through their head while facing uncertainty with courage. It also is beautiful to see how each generation has influenced the next.

Let's celebrate our veterans and always treat them with respect. 🇺🇸