Messages for the Troops

When I was 6, my mom re-married and my new stepfather was a Vietnam Vet. I remember as a little girl that he showed me this little pointy thing that jutted out of his chest underneath the skin. He told me it was shrapnel from the war. I couldn't really process the true meaning at the time, but over the years I came to realize that while (luckily) Tommy got out of there alive, it's not possible to leave war behind. Our veterans carry the war experience with them every day for the rest of their lives. Every servicemember in my mind is a hero, but Tommy is my special hero. For all that he did for his country and all that he did for me while I was growing up. I love you, Tommy!