Going Anyway

Memorial Day

Monday, May 29

I served in the Alabama Army National Guard for six years as a chaplain assistant. I was basically the chaplain's guard. I counseled people every once in a while, too. I joined the military to get away from home and to go to college. Over time, I gained a lot of pride in my country as I learned how fortunate we are as a nation.

I deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. It was probably the hardest nine months of my life. Every moment was worth it though because I had the honor of serving my country.

Our family has a tradition of going to a cemetery service on Memorial Day. It's an hour drive. Aunt Heather, Uncle Tom, and my cousin, Kari always come, too.

The service was also about an hour long. Ava wore a thin American flag dress and it was really windy today. I had to tell her about three times to "keep it down." This is why I need a wife. I don't think anyone else noticed though. She was a trooper today though; she had to stand a lot.

Ava didn't complain once. When we got to Subway, I pulled her aside, "Hey, you can have a coke today because you've been really good." I rarely let her have a coke because it's expensive.

She lit up a little. "Yay! Thank you!"

We usually go hang out at a park after lunch. This year was no different.

After that, we headed back to our hometown, and went to my mother's grave to say goodbye because I don't know when we're coming back to this town.

I took my flowers away from the grave, hoping Mom knows I'm not forgetting about her. Heather promised she would take care of Mom.

We went back to Heather and Tom's for pizza.

We talked all night while Ava played with Kari's old Barbies one last time.

When we got home, it was late. Ava was pretty tired, so I gave to her permission to shower in the morning.

When I was sitting on Ava's bed as I was saying good night, she asked, "Why did you join the Army? Why did you wanna go to war?"

I tucked piece of her hair behind her ears. "It wasn't like that. I joined because the military agreed to pay for my college."

"Did you see people die?"

I put my hands up. "Whoa, Ava, you're not supposed to ask those types of questions."

She rolled her eyes. "But did you?"

I handed Ava her favorite Ariel stuffed toy that she always sleeps with. "I was lucky. I didn't see anything too traumatizing, but it wasn't Disney World."

"What was the scariest thing you saw?"

"We'll talk about it when you're older and not before bed."

"Do you have bad dreams about it?"

"Uhhh, every once in awhile I have dreams about being deployed or training, but I don't have scary dreams about the war really. Honestly, I have good memories from being in the military."

Her eyes fluttered a little as she yawned. She was tired. We had a long day. "Well, that's good."

"Yup." I got up to kiss her forehead. "Love you. Sleep tight."

"Love you, too."

Today was a good day.

Also, thank you to everyone who has served this great nation. Your sacrifice, big or small, is the reason why we are here today. Go thank a veteran. God bless America.