A Thomas Point of View | Family, Gratitude, Military Service & Love
On Wednesday, November 11, we celebrate Veterans Day, a day set aside to recognize the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
For many people, Veterans Day is an opportunity to attend a ceremony, wave an American flag, or simply say, “Thank you for your service.”
But for me, this day is deeply personal.
Because two people I love dearly have worn the uniform of the United States military.
My mother and my husband.
And when I think about their service, I don’t just see military uniforms, ranks, or photographs.
I see two individuals who made a commitment to serve something greater than themselves.
Two people whose experiences helped shape who they became.
And two people whose service deserves to be recognized, appreciated, and celebrated.
My Mother: A Woman Who Helped Keep Pilots Informed
Long before I understood the responsibilities and sacrifices associated with military service, my mother proudly served in the United States Air Force.
And let me tell you something about my mama!
SHE WAS A METEOROLOGIST!
Yes, y’all! My mother was out here studying weather patterns and briefing military pilots!
While some people were simply checking the forecast to decide whether to carry an umbrella, my mother was helping provide weather information that pilots needed as they prepared for their missions.
And that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.
Weather conditions play an important role in aviation, and providing accurate information requires knowledge, preparation, attention to detail, and a tremendous sense of responsibility.
When I look at photographs of my mother in her Air Force uniform, I see more than a beautiful young woman with a gorgeous smile and a fabulous afro.
I see a Black woman who chose to serve her country, develop specialized skills, and take on responsibilities in a field where her knowledge and expertise mattered.
I think about what that experience must have meant to her and the confidence, discipline, and independence she developed along the way.
And I can’t help but recognize some of those same qualities in myself.
The determination.
The willingness to work hard.
The belief that women are capable of doing extraordinary things.
And perhaps even my tendency to have an opinion about EVERYTHING! 😂
I come by it honestly!
But seriously, I’m proud of my mother’s military service and the example she set.
She didn’t just wear the uniform. She contributed her knowledge and skills in service to this country.
And that deserves recognition.
My Husband: A Soldier Who Served During Wartime
Then there’s my husband.
A United States Army veteran who served in two wartime campaigns.
Now, let me pause here for a moment.
Because I think sometimes we hear someone say they’re a veteran, thank them for their service, and move on without really considering what that service may have required.
But serving during wartime carries responsibilities, experiences, and sacrifices that many of us who have never served cannot fully understand.
It means being prepared to go where you’re needed, often far from home, family, friends, and everything familiar.
It means following orders, trusting the people serving alongside you, and functioning in circumstances that most civilians will never experience.
And it means accepting responsibilities that extend far beyond an ordinary workday.
When I look at photographs of my husband in his Army uniform, I sometimes find myself thinking about the man he was during those years.
What was going through his mind?
What experiences shaped him?
What did he miss while he was away?
And what lessons did he bring home that still influence the man I know today?
The truth is, I didn’t know my husband during his military service.
We met years later, after those chapters of his life had already been written.
But that doesn’t make me any less proud of the sacrifices he made.
In fact, it makes me appreciate that there are parts of his journey that helped shape the husband I married, even though I wasn’t there to witness them.
Before he was my husband, he was a soldier.
And on Veterans Day, I want him to know that I see, respect, and appreciate that part of his story.
The Sacrifices We Don’t Always See
One thing I’ve come to appreciate as I’ve gotten older is that military service doesn’t simply end when someone takes off the uniform.
The experiences, friendships, lessons, and memories often remain with them for a lifetime.
Some veterans are comfortable sharing their stories.
Others prefer to keep certain experiences private.
And I believe both deserve our respect.
We don’t always know what someone experienced while serving, what they sacrificed, or how those experiences may continue to affect them years later.
That’s why I think it’s important to recognize veterans as more than the uniforms they once wore.
They’re our mothers, fathers, spouses, siblings, neighbors, coworkers, and friends.
They’re people who went on to build careers, raise families, pursue dreams, and contribute to their communities after their military service ended.
But that period of service will always be part of their personal history.
And for that, I believe they deserve our gratitude.
Now, About My Husband and These Veterans Organizations…
Okay, now that we’ve had our heartfelt moment, y’all know I can’t write an entire blog post without sharing a little of my Thomas Point of View!
Because I have something I’ve been telling my husband.
BABE, YOU NEED TO JOIN THE AMERICAN LEGION OR THE VFW!
And yes, I have several reasons!
First, I think it would be wonderful for him to connect with other veterans.
There’s something special about having friendships with people who share similar experiences and understand a part of your life that others may not fully relate to.
I think having that sense of camaraderie, community, and connection could be a wonderful thing for him.
Second, I think men need opportunities to build meaningful friendships outside their marriages.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love spending time with my husband.
Y’all already know we’re out here enjoying our empty-nest era, attending state fairs, taking road trips, and finding new adventures.
But I DON’T NEED TO BE HIS ONLY SOCIAL OUTLET!
I want my husband to have friends.
People he can laugh with, talk to, spend time with, and enjoy activities that don’t necessarily involve me planning the entire outing!
And what better place to build those connections than among fellow veterans?
But here’s my THIRD reason.
THE FOOD!
Listen, I don’t know about every American Legion or VFW post across the country, but I’ve heard about some of the meals, social gatherings, and good company these organizations offer.
And I am ALL FOR IT!
If my husband can find some good friends, enjoy meaningful fellowship, AND we can occasionally get a good meal out of the experience?
BABY, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A WIN-WIN TO ME!
Now, before anybody says I’m trying to push my husband out of the house, let me be clear.
I’m not trying to get rid of him!
I’m encouraging him to enjoy the same sense of community, friendship, and personal fulfillment that I value in my own life.
And if there’s a fish fry involved every now and then, who am I to complain?
All jokes aside, I genuinely believe that organizations like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars can offer veterans opportunities for camaraderie, continued service, and connection.
And I’d love to see my husband experience more of that.
Because his service didn’t stop being meaningful when he left the Army.
He is still a veteran, and he deserves to be celebrated and connected to a community that understands what that means.
A Personal Thank You to Two People I Love
This Veterans Day, I want to take a moment to publicly thank my mother and my husband.
To my mother:
Thank you for your service in the United States Air Force.
Thank you for the knowledge, dedication, and responsibility you brought to your work as a meteorologist briefing pilots.
Thank you for being an example of a woman who could serve her country while demonstrating intelligence, strength, and determination.
I’m proud of your service, and I’m even prouder to be your daughter.
To my husband:
Thank you for your service in the United States Army.
Thank you for the sacrifices you made while serving during two wartime campaigns.
Thank you for answering the call to serve, even when that meant accepting responsibilities and facing circumstances that many of us will never fully understand.
I may not have known you during those years, but I honor that chapter of your life and recognize that your experiences helped shape the man you are today.
I’m proud of you, and I’m grateful that life eventually brought us together.
And yes, I’m still going to encourage you to join the American Legion or VFW!
CONSIDER THIS YOUR PUBLIC REMINDER!
Veterans Day Is About More Than Saying Thank You
As we recognize Veterans Day, I hope we all take a moment to think about the people behind the uniforms.
The young men and women who made the decision to serve.
The families who supported them.
The sacrifices that weren’t always visible.
And the lives they’ve continued to build after their military service.
Because honoring our veterans shouldn’t be limited to one day on the calendar.
It should also mean listening to their stories when they’re ready to share them, supporting their well-being, respecting their experiences, and recognizing the contributions they continue to make in our communities.
And for those of us fortunate enough to have veterans in our families, it means making sure they know their service hasn’t been forgotten.
This year, I’m especially grateful to celebrate two veterans whose lives have helped shape my own.
My mother, who served in the Air Force, and my husband, who served in the Army.
Different branches.
Different responsibilities.
Different experiences.
But both answered the call to serve their country.
And both have my love, respect, and gratitude.
To every veteran reading this:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
May you always know that your sacrifices matter, your experiences deserve respect, and your contributions are appreciated.
Happy Veterans Day!
And as always…
I may not always be right, but I ALWAYS have a Thomas Point of View!
🇺🇸 LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!
- Do you have veterans in your family?
- What branch of the military did they serve in?
- For my veterans out there, have you joined the American Legion, VFW, or another veterans organization?
- What friendships, community activities, or opportunities for fellowship have you experienced through these organizations?
- 🍽️ And let’s be honest… WHO HAS THE BEST FISH FRY?!
I’d love to hear your stories and recommendations!
Happy Veterans Day, and thank you to everyone who has served!
#AThomasPointOfView #VeteransDay2026 #ThankYouVeterans #ArmyVeteran #AirForceVeteran #MilitaryFamily #ProudMilitaryFamily #AmericanLegion #VFW #HonorOurVeterans
