Many of you know that my baby brother, Matthew, is serving in the US Army. He’s a mere 19 years old and he’s currently over seas in Italy with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Matthew has been to more countries this year than I will ever see in my life. He just finished a five month deployment in Latvia and I couldn’t be more proud of him.
All military personnel are heroes. No matter what branch they serve in, our active duty, reserves and veterans deserve the utmost respect and support from their communities. The least we can do is show our appreciation for those who make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom everyday.
With that being said, Veteran’s Day is this Wednesday, November 11. It’s a day to celebrate and thank all of the heroes in our lives. I have several ties to the military. My uncle served in the Army for decades, my brother is currently serving and I lost a good friend in Afghanistan back in 2008. Many of my friends are veterans as well. Little fact about me: I wanted to go into the military when I was 22. I was going to join the National Guard. I was all set to go – all my paperwork and clearances were done and I was working out with a recruiter. However, I only had six months left of college until I got my Bachelor’s degree, so my parents talked me into finishing. I never went in and I regret it.
This past Sunday, my mom and I participated in the Team RWB 5k race. Team Red, White & Blue’s mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. My mom has already been involved in the organization but this was my first time participating in an event for them. It was a perfect day for a race. The weather was gorgeous and the scenery was beautiful. Lots of people showed up for this great cause. Wives of fallen soldiers, double amputees and veterans graced us with their presence. My favorite part? All of the American flags people were carrying. It was so incredibly heartwarming to see all of these people supporting our military and wonderful country.
The 5k is 3.2 miles and I took Wynston. He walked and jogged a bit, but I did bring his stroller. He got lots of attention and snacks 😉 When the race was finished, everyone was awarded with a medal and the fastest runners received extra recognition. Really it was about people joining together for a common cause – to give thanks to those who have given their lives and safety to protect us.
Team RWB is an amazing organization that is helping veterans everywhere. Please consider checking them out, donating and getting involved! And remember to thank a veteran on Wednesday! Enjoy the rest of my photos 🙂
Elaine says
Thank you to your brother and all the veterans for their service!
Amanda says
I will Elaine. Thank you SO much!