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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2023 17 Submitted by Ralph Grider, Resident I did not write this, but I wanted to share. To understand a Military Veteran you must know: We le home as teenagers or in our early 20s for an unknown adventure. We loved our country enough to defend it and protect it with our lives. We said goodbye to friends and family and everything we knew. We learned the basics and then we scattered in the wind to the far corners of the Earth. We found new friends and new family. We became brothers and sisters regardless of color, race or creed. We had plenty of good times, and plenty of bad times. We didn't get enough sleep. We smoked and drank too much. We picked up both good and bad habits. We worked hard and played harder. We didn't earn a good wage. We experienced the happiness of mail call and the sadness of missing important events. We didn't know when, or even if, we were ever going to see home again. We grew up fast, and yet somehow, we never grew up at all. We fought for our freedom, as well as the freedom of others. Some of us saw actual combat, and some of us didn't. Some of us saw the world, and some of us didn't. Some of us dealt with physical warfare, most of us dealt with psychological warfare. We have seen and experienced and dealt with things that we can't fully describe or explain, as not all of our sacrifices were physical. We participated in time honored ceremonies and rituals with each other, strengthening our bonds and camaraderie. We counted on each other to get our job done and sometimes to survive it at all. We have dealt with victory and tragedy. We have celebrated and mourned. We have lost a few along the way. When our adventure was over, some of us went back home, some of us started somewhere new and some of us never came home at all. We have told amazing and hilarious stories of our exploits and adventures. We have shared an unspoken bond with each other, that most people don't experience, and few will understand. We speak highly of our branch of service, and poke fun at the other branches. We know however, that, if needed, we will be there for our brothers and sisters and stand together as one, in a heartbeat. Being a Veteran is something that had to be earned, and it can never be taken away. It has no monetary value, but at the same time it is a priceless gi. People see a Veteran and they thank them for their service. When we see each other, we give that little upwards head nod, or a slight smile, knowing that we have shared and experienced things that most people have not, So, from myself to the rest of the veterans out there, I commend and thank you for all that you have done and sacrificed for our country. Try to remember the good times and make peace with the bad times. Share your stories. TO UNDERSTAND A VETERAN

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