Civilian gratitude for our Veterans

There are so many incredible posts today to honor our Veterans.?There is nothing I can add that is more moving than what I saw from Alex Wisch , Bruce Rivers,M.S., ACHE , Teresa Glasgow , BlackRifle Co (not coffee) or Annie Fowler . For crying out loud, if you didn’t see the Flanders Fields ZOOM with Jonathon A. , Robert Coleman , Steve Kaloper , and Ben Owen , it's a must watch. #gummybear

I am not a veteran. But I am close to a few who are. Earl Jewell, MBA , Ed Dollar , John Hyatt , Shawnta Johnson , Joaquin Agsalud , Clay Johnson , Leon Brown , Nicki Brown , Greg Black come to mind. There is a humanity present in each of them that I admire so much.?Their approach to life has an undeniable uniqueness to it. Though they are individually different, and from every branch of service, they collectively demonstrate focus, grit, and levity…all delivered with the most impeccable and perfect timing. I am so grateful for their friendship. That is not a platitude - I truly have no clue why they allow me to play in their sandbox, but I’m honored that they do.

Of these #veterans, there is no one that I am closer to than Major Chase Freeman .?This article is intended to send him a public THANK YOU, in hopes that I embarrass the sh** out of him, because he is the most humble of human beings, despite his combat medals. I also hope that my gratitude for him reflects my #gratitude for all of our veterans, beyond the typical, ‘Thank you for your service.’?So many vets have impacted others, full communities, the way Major Freeman has impacted me, while setting aside their own struggles.

Chase and I met a little over 20 years ago.?I was fresh out of college, and he was just returning from his deployment in Kosovo. We were roommates as he transitioned to the #civilian world. He’s spent time with my parents over the holidays without me being there. He was in my wedding.?To say he knows what skeletons exist in my closet, would be a gross understatement.?We love and we fight each other like we came from the same blood. No matter how long it’s been, when we talk, we laugh to the point we almost cry.?We’re tight.

My favorite memories of our friendship, the ones I recall with the most clarity, are our conversations about his love for his ‘brotherhood’ in the Army.?It’s taken me over twenty years to grasp the gravity of what he always described.?

I will never be able to completely understand what this dimension of brotherhood/family/camaraderie feels like - my life has never been at risk the way our troops, especially our deployed, have. BUT, I was always, and am still, #inspired by his description.

I recognize that normal operations of life in a #free, amazingly beautiful country can unintentionally diminish the importance of that brotherhood for those that are otherwise distracted. We wander through life, complaining about the most inconsequential of circumstances, while these men and women guard the proverbial 'wall'. In an effort to reflect, I thought about a few things our veterans, specifically Major Freeman and his ‘brotherhood’, afforded me this week.

They protected my right to vote - and while there was quite a bit going on Tuesday, I was certain to 'make good' on this protection. My voice was validated when I pushed the big ‘SUBMIT’ button in the voting booth.?They protected the First Amendment and the ability for every pundit to give their ‘two cents’ on national TV, Nov 9th.?They protect every hater that DMs me about how I’m an idiot - and conversely, protect my ability to respectfully respond. They protect our neighbors #Christmas lights that have been up the last three weeks, the manger with baby #Jesus that will sit on our hutch, and our friends with a #menorah or the #kinara in their window.?They protect our ability to #love whomever we want. They remind us that there are places in this world that are significantly worse than what we experience here. There is no doubt, our country has issues we must address, as with any close #family …but they protect our right to address them in a #democratic and #peaceful way.

Major Chase Freeman , as I reflect on my life, (particularly the last 3 years since your retirement), you have helped me appreciate our #veterans and our #activeduty to an even greater degree.?The #courage you so eloquently balance with the #compassion you have for your brotherhood make me want to be better. I want to earn the freedoms you've afforded me and my family. In this honest reflection, I also recognize I have not done everything I can possibly do to live up to what you expect of me as a #patriot . I love this country, but loving is not enough. Action is necessary - and my actions have not displayed the consistency of someone who has earned the patriot label you have given me. At minimum, it certainly doesn't express the full extent of my #gratitude.

I will be better. ?

I will be better because of my love for you, brother.?You are the most courageous #warrior I know, and one of the most #honorable humans I have ever met.?I wasn’t there with you in #Bosnia, or #Kosovo, or your multiple tours in #Afghanistan.?I can’t imagine what those trenches were like.?I’m sorry I wasn’t mentally capable or mature enough to understand the gravity of losing those who stood by you in theater. But I am here now, and moving forward in the civilian world, I will do everything necessary to cover your 6. I love you, brother.?You are effing #amazing.?Happy Veteran's Day...and I hope my #RedRaiders smoke your #Sooners on the 26th. xo