My husband and I both served in the United State Air Force. Myself for 10 1/2 years and my husband retired after 22 years of service. It truly was a way of life and one that we miss on a daily basis. We both served during the start of the first Gulf War and would pass each other long enough to kiss hello and goodbye as one came in the door from deployment and the other headed out. Neither of us considered it a burden, but our duty. Do we consider ourselves heroes? Of course not. Nothing we did could ever compare to some of the true heroes.
Our oldest son now 21 is serving in the Army National Guard and our youngest at just 17 has decided that after high school he would like to serve. I can't lie, I am scared as hell! But I know that there is nothing I could say to change either of their minds, nor would I try. They come from a long line of military veterans. My husband's dad retired as a Marine and my dad was in the Navy for quite a few years. It goes back to the great-great grandfathers and further.
Webster's defines Hero as: a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities or one who shows great courage.
My husband now works for the Disabled American Veterans and the people he sees on a daily basis defines heroism. Some come in with arms and legs missing, sometimes both. Most of them would do anything to continue serving to protect our country. Many of them, even after everything they have lost, come in to the office with a pleasant "good morning" and a smile on their face. These are the TRUE heroes.
To get out of bed day after day and deciding to continue to live life to the best of their ability is something I am not so sure I could do if I were to be in that situation.
I would be proud to shake hands with these men and women and say a huge THANK YOU for all that you have sacrificed for my freedom in person or virtually!Thanks to Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Kroger and its family of stores who have partnered together to support the USO – an organization that provides an extensive range of programs at more than 150 centers in 27 countries and at hundreds of entertainment events each year to support the morale, welfare, social and entertainment needs of troops and their families, free of charge – in its mission to help American troops and their families. Through the partnership Kroger will donate $250,000 to the USO.
As part of the partnership Kroger and P&G have created an opportunity to let consumers virtually “shake hands with a hero” – the proper custom to show your gratitude to US soldiers in uniform to thank them for their service to our country. The first 50,000 people who utilize the microsite application (at www.honoringourheroes.com) to shake a soldier’s hand will receive a coupon (loaded to their Kroger Plus Card) for $1 off P&G products.
As part of the partnership Kroger and P&G have created an opportunity to let consumers virtually “shake hands with a hero” – the proper custom to show your gratitude to US soldiers in uniform to thank them for their service to our country. The first 50,000 people who utilize the microsite application (at www.honoringourheroes.com) to shake a soldier’s hand will receive a coupon (loaded to their Kroger Plus Card) for $1 off P&G products.
Shake the hand of a hero! Thank them for their sacrifices they make on a daily basis for all of us.
Thank you to Procter Gamble, Kroger and the USO for sponsoring this blog post and the Shake Hands With A Hero initiative. Please click here to learn more about this program. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.
