Veterans Day was always very sacred in our house and still is.
My late husband was a Veteran and served as a Sergeant in Operation Iraq Freedom in the early 2000s, as just a kid in college.
Our First Veterans Day Together: A Moment I’ll Never Forget
I remember our first Veterans Day as a married couple, the day went on without thought. I remember him being upset with me because I did not acknowledge him on this day. To him this was more important than his Birthday. I will never forget it. And will honor him and all Veterans every year until my last.
It just looks a little different like everything after his death.
Navigating Grief as a Widow & Mother
When my husband passed away in 2016, I was 16 weeks pregnant with our little Sullivan Andrew. And as he has grown, he has been met with a different form of grief. The grief of the unknown.
Who was his dad, the man in the stories and the pictures? The man that his older brother and sister got to know for a short time and he didn’t. The man that shares his hazel eyes, witty humor, and sweet spirit with.
Helping My Son Connect With the Father He Never Knew
I see him wanting to identify part of himself with his dad, like we all do with our parents when we are at a young age. When Sully was in Kindergarten, his school put on a Veterans celebration to honor the soldiers in the lives of the students at the school. I put his daddy’s picture in the program. It was one of those moments that makes me tear up to even write about it.
That little boy felt such a connection with his Dad at that moment. This was his dad. The dad he didn’t get to meet but was still part of him. Moments like this are what I strive for to bring his daddy’s memory to life.
That little 6 year old beamed with pride as his dad’s photo flashed across the screen. And I felt Andy. I knew from up above he felt the pride of his son. All those years and sacrifice defending our country, his family, and yours was all worth it looking at his little boy.
Finding Healing and Hope on Veterans Day
I know this is what healing looks like. I know this is what hope looks like. Finding meaning after death. I know Andy would be so proud.
A Message of Gratitude to All Veterans
I want to take a moment to Thank all Veterans and for them to know and to feel that their sacrifice is acknowledged and meaningful to me and my family. Thank you on behalf of my little boy and his dad. You risked your life so I can live in freedom. You serve because you love your country, your family, your community, and those you do not know.
To Andy, all the Veterans, both past and present, living and deceased, from the bottom of my heart—What you do is meaningful, what you do is honorable, what you do is a sacrifice, what you do is patriotic, and brave.
Thank you.
Katie and Sully
