Happy 4th of July and Thank You Military for Your Sacrifices

To most people the 4th of July is a day off from work, a chance to go to the beach, have a picnic or barbeque with friends and then top the evening off with some fireworks and a few beers.

Yet, I must urge everyone to take a few minutes to reflect on all those men and women who have served our country and who are currently serving in our military. Please remember all the sacrifices they have made.

I can’t even remember the last time my husband, a Naval Aviator, was home for the 4th of July holiday. A few times his absence was due to his deployment schedule and other times because of “workups,” where they’re training for deployment. Many birthdays, holidays, anniversaries and special occasions missed for the protection of our country and our friends overseas.

On his second deployment he even missed the first seven and a half months of our son’s first year. Many of our son’s “firsts” were captured on 30-second clips of video so I could send via email out to the boat where my husband yearned for more and more moments of his newborn son’s life.

Now that my husband is on “shore duty” I know he won’t deploy in the next few years. But I’m reminded daily of our independence just about every morning at exactly 8 a.m.  I hear the “sound of freedom” as my husband calls it. The rattling of my house and the roar of F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets firing up their engines to start the day’s training exercises.

I’m happy to say this 4th of July we will be spending time together as a family enjoying the holiday and joyfully awaiting the birth of our second son.

Thank you to the men and women of the military, we wave our flags proudly because of you.  And to all, happy 4th of July, please stay safe!

Elaine of Her Big Idea Blog and Social Network has an Internet Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio and writes for Posh Mama Online Magazine and Social Network every Tuesday.

Tags: 4th, 4th of July, f/a-18, fourth, independence day, july, navy, sacrifice