I could not let this Veterans Day come and go without special recognition and a sizable thank you to the men and women who have so bravely served our country.

As you know, those of us in the mountains are very proud of our rich military history. That being said, I remember growing up hearing tales of my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather’s time in service and knowing from a young age what it meant to have pride of country and of family. I am forever grateful to those particular men in my life, and the countless other men and women veterans among us, for their selfless dedication to protect that which we hold sacred — freedom.

This year especially, after a long election season, we must be ever mindful of that freedom. Whether your candidate won or lost, whether the measure on the ballot passed or failed, be grateful that you had the right to vote and give thanks to the veterans for protecting that right at great cost.

That freedom took many lives but allowed many to come home, and filled my house growing up. It is not the battle stories that I remember being told, rather the stories of camaraderie between soldiers. The camaraderie that neither my grandmother nor I could understand. The camaraderie that brought my grandfather’s fellow brothers-in-arms from across the country to our home yearly to visit with him, even after my grandfather’s passing in order to check on my grandmother. A camaraderie so much bigger than ourselves, but so very fundamental to that freedom that we all hold dear.

That is what I remember of the veterans in my life.

Thanks to each and every one of you, from my family to yours. I salute all those who have served as well as those continuing to stand guard protecting America’s freedom.

Happy Veterans Day.