Nov. 11 Veterans Day Blog

Nov. 11 is a special day. We all recognize it as Veterans Day, but it also is my

grandfather’s birthday. When I was growing up in Kearney, Nebraska, we always celebrated our

birthdays together since my special day is November 7. In a future blog, I’ll write more about my

grandfather and the special chocolate cake with chocolate frosting that my mother always made

for us. That recipe and many others will appear in my family cookbook memoir, Rutabagas,

Runzas and Red Beer: Storied Recipes from the Plains. Maybe a sneak peek at Thanksgiving!

But today, I want to focus on Veterans Day and recognize my husband Al, brother Eric,

and nephew Zach who all attended the United States Naval Academy (USNA) and served or are

currently serving. I also want to give a big shout out to all the military wives and mothers who

create new homes for their families every time they move; make new friends for themselves and

help their children adjust to new surroundings; work inside or outside the home or both; and

serve alongside their spouses wherever they are stationed.

The Veterans Day holiday reminds me of all my wonderful friends in the various places

we were stationed over the years – San Diego, Naples, Italy, and Bethesda, MD. Raising children

is wonderful but also challenging, and I appreciate the friendship and support I received, whether

stateside or overseas, from Anne, Janet, Beth, Susie, Sue, Carol, Laura, Debbie, Ann and

Maureen. When I lived far away from home, these lovely ladies were my family. In the month of

gratitude, I want to pause and say thanks to my circle of friends – the Navy wives – who sailed

over uncharted waters the same as I did.

Uncharted waters is one of the things I talk about in my memoir about Navy life: meeting

Al at the Naval Academy on a blind date; pursuing a long-distance relationship; getting married

three years later and eventually having six children. Large families are not that common

anymore, especially big military families. But we survived and thrived. The memoir is completed

but I’m revising, tweaking and changing the title as I rearrange the format. But here is a snippet

from the story:

“Almost tardy for school on a daily basis, always late for church, and alas for Al, we

were never able to function on precise military time. But we had fun. And we managed to stay

due North most of the time …..”

If you are a parent or a grandparent, employed or retired, traveling or staying put, may we

all stay due North. Happy Veterans Day!