To all of the Armed Forces, let’s just start by saying that you are appreciated. You are loved. You are respected. But above all, you are understood. Without your love, determination, and commitment, I would not be able to sit here and write this letter. You have made my future possible, and I can affirm this because I come from a military background. My father is a member of the Navy and I am thankful not only for his dedication to protect, but to those in his fleet as well as every member of the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, National Guard and Coast Guard.

To the Navy:

Thank you for the jobs you provide on land, at sea and in the air. Thank you for the endless protection. Thank you for the SEAL team and their willingness to put their lives in danger to ensure that no other lives are harmed. Thank you to every man and woman, regardless of rank, for your decision to become a proud member of the United States Navy. Thank you for your desire to help protect. Thank you to your friends and family for supporting you and ensuring your safety when you are home on leave. Thank you.

“Honor, Courage, Commitment"

To the Army:

Thank you for training our men and women to become the best version of themselves. Thank you for teaching them camaraderie and sacrifice. Thank you for protecting both those on and off the front line. Thank you for teaching the new recruits that the uniform means you’re a part of a new family, but for also embracing one another’s differences. Thank you for protecting this nation and the people within her. Thank you.

“This We’ll Defend”

To the Marine Corps:

Thank you for enduring the countless hardships of boot camp. Thank you for instilling the hope and faith. Thank you for always being there in times of needs and for ensuring that one another is loved and protected. Thank you for putting your life on the line to protect others who cannot. Thank you for all that you have done since your establishment in 1775 and all that you will continue to do. Thank you to every member of the Marine Corps for taking the oath and fulfilling it until the end. Thank you.

“Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)"

To the Air Force:

Thank you for providing jobs to not only pilots from all over, but also to anyone with drive, focus and dedication. Thank you for protecting us from the air. Thank you for being our wings and our eagle eyes. Thank you for all that you do and all that you will do in the future. Your drive and dedication do not go unnoticed and it never will. Thank you for protecting this country and her people, both at home and from afar. Thank you.

“Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence in All We Do”

To the National Guard:

Thank you for providing jobs to young men and women who are unsure of their future. Thank you for instilling a sense of community and respect. Thank you for being there at every national disaster. Thank you for protecting this country at the home front. Your dedication and determination only further exemplifies the codes of the Armed Forces. Thank you for all that you do for us here, but also for those stationed in far-off lands. Thank you; you are appreciated.

“Always Ready, Always There"

To the Coast Guard:

Thank you for making sure that the waters are safe. Thank you for enduring long hours at sea, in order to protect this country that you call home. Thank you for ensuring safety and for helping those in need. Thank you for making protection and family a priority. Thank you for the decision to take the oath as a member of the Coast Guard, and for maintaining that oath even in the hardest of situations. Thank you for all that you do at sea. Thank you.

“Semper Paratus (Always Ready)"

Thank you. I know it is not enough, but I will thank each Armed Forces member I cross paths with. You deserve to know that what you do for this country does not go unnoticed or is under-appreciated. Thank you for protecting me, my family, my friends, but most importantly, the people of the United States. Thank you to my father for choosing to join the Navy because without the knowledge and faith he provided me, I would not be able to understand what it means to be an Armed Forces service member. So thank you, Daddy. Your work is more appreciated than you could ever know and I love you and support you for always. I support the military. I thank the military. I thank past, present and future service members. Why? Because they need to know that each day they don that uniform, they are loved, appreciated and understood. So thank you. Thank you a million times over.

Sincerely,

A Navy daughter, and a proud supporter of all Armed Forces branches