I have never even considered joining any form of our nation’s military.  The closest I would say that I came is playing army with my brothers GI Joe.  But never one time did I think I wanted to enlist.

I have never once thought about leaving my family at the age of 18 and traveling far from home to live with a bunch of other folks my same age, and being put through a grueling test of endurance and strength.

I have never, not even for a second, thought about putting myself in harms way to protect you, or even my own.

I have never, nope never ever, wanted to be shipped overseas to a foreign country, where the people may hate me and death lurks around every corner.

I have never, not even contemplated what it must feel like to have to leave my young children, not knowing how many birthday parties I may miss before I see them again.

I have never felt the loneliness that sets in when no one writes or seems to miss me at all.

I have never even considered the way a mother feels to hear she has lost her baby boy.

I have never wanted to be the wife that sees the uniformed man standing on her porch, that is not her husband, who carries an unopened letter of grief and sadness.

I have never thought of becoming a hero to children, a champion to the oppressed, a fighter for the defenseless, a protector of a country, a guardian of  democracy, a conqueror of dictators, a rescuer of a race of people, a liberator of lives, a warrior with no fear or a knight in shining armor.

I have never, no never,  wanted to be a soldier. But I am forever grateful for those that have and…….

I …..WILL

yes,  I WILL

NEVER

NO NEVER,

FORGET.