I spent the vast majority of my childhood growing up next to the nation’s largest military installment. For those of you that share in this experience, you know that every morning at 7:30 the bugle sounds and the flag is raised. Then at 5:00, the bugle sounds again. Everyone on the base must stop what they are doing (including driving) and face the flag. The national anthem plays over the speakers, the flag is lowered, and everyone proceeds with their day.

It wasn’t until I moved away for college that I realized this routine isn’t normal for most of the people in this nation. Most people only hear the national anthem at sporting events and only see planes fly over occasionally. When they do see a plane, it is almost always an airline. I, on the other hand, grew up learning the names of different planes. It wasn’t unusual to spot multiple planes flying over the house as I played outside.

In second grade, my Dad started a series of deployments to countries in the Middle East. As a seven-year-old, I couldn’t quite grasp what it meant. He had been away for business trips, but we had never been separated before by months at a time. This all happened before Skype, so our only communication was through the occasional phone call and letters. As weeks passed, I worried I would never see him again. Unfortunately, this is true for some kids. Some families say farewell, expecting to see each other after some months apart and then find out they unknowingly already said their final goodbye.

Veterans' day is a day set aside to honor all of those who served, but I think it is also important to remember all of the little sacrifices that are made within each family as well. Being away from loved ones is no easy task. This holiday season, I encourage everyone to take fifteen minutes out of their day to write a letter or card to those making the bigger sacrifice to keep our nation safe.

Although there is no longer a national Red Cross collection address, letters can be dropped off at participating Red Cross chapters. Cards can be mailed to:

Operation Christmas Cards

867 Grafton St. #10#2

Worcester, MA 01604

All cards and letters will be greatly appreciated by those spending the holidays away from their families and loved ones.