Tuesday, November 01, 2011

twenty six years = nine thousand, four hundred and ninety days

in January 1986, Team Leader graduated from Ranger School...
he enlisted in october of 1985

waaay before he knew that in anchorage alaska his future was running track, dancing ballet, swimming, eating at McDonalds

his future was waiting for him, and, he had no clue.

he joined the service and made a decision to see this committment to his country
through
in the hardest way, as a Ranger, born into battalion
not looking back.

lately, he's had time to look back-
yesterday was the culmination of a twenty six year long career and a future,
he never saw coming.

today my husband,
MY center of gravity,
the man who has given me everything I never saw coming
used his Retiree ID card to access base.

talk about a moment.

yesterday when he finalized his status i apoloigized for not being THERE with him as he walked into his new life
his answer was simple:
"26 years ago I walked in quietly, by myself and today, 26 years later I'll walk out quietly...by myself"

when we hung up the phone i cried for a minute.

he's given so much, and you know today, all the people who saw the effective date on his new id card...not one person said thank you...which surprised me.

lessons learned over 26 years of service:
if YOU know why you did it, no one needs to say thank you, but it sure is nice.

lessons learned over 20 years of service:
marriage is forever.

I love you Tony-
thank you for everything you have done to secure our country in it's time of need
thank you for everything you have done to secure peace for all who desire calm and understanding
thank you for always being the person prepared
to give the ultimate sacrifice
to fight for the oppressed
to be the man our family can look up to-

congratulations, with all our love,
e,p,d, b, AND k