There are 21 million veterans alive today after their service to our country. This is the story of one:

We were there when you made your decision and signed your name on that line at the bottom of the contract. We were there when you took your first tests and when you swore yourself to this country.

But the moment you got in that car, on that bus, boarded that plane…in that moment our lives changed forever. We were no longer a family, but a military family.

After you left life went on, but not easily by any means. Your room was still full of your things, your clothes still hung in the closet, your bed still left unmade. And it stayed that way the entire time you were gone. There were letters, care packages and when we were lucky, a phone call on Sundays. We could hear your voice, and see your picture but it wasn’t you.

Then the day came we had all been waiting for. We drove and drove and drove, and there we were on the base. Surrounded by camouflage and dress blues everywhere we turned. In a sea of soldiers we looked and looked, scanned the room waiting to find you. But what we didn’t realize was you were gone, and an American soldier had grown into your place.

Your hair was gone, your chubby little cheeks vanished, you looked taller, although we weren’t sure how. You looked straight ahead, arms at your side. It was almost like you didn’t even blink. We waited for your platoon leaders to finish their remarks and release you for the day.

Almost instantly your mother ran straight to you, tears and tears and tears. And until then I had done my best not to cry, but as mom let go and you looked at me, I fell apart. Your hugs were suddenly so much bigger, but at the same time softer. The only words I could choke out were “he is so proud of you.” And he was, he was there, and he made sure I knew.

In that moment I didn’t want to let go, but of course we had brought the whole gang, so I had to give them their turns. As we loaded the van with your things we all laughed at how you left with the clothes on your back and a folder of papers, and now the duffel bag you carried was almost as tall as you.

From the minute you got in the car, to showing us the base, to taking you to lunch, and even the car ride home, it was different. You were different. You told the waitress “no thank you ma’am” when she offered more water…and we all turned like zombies with jaws dropped to look at you stacking your plate and silverware as you finished your meal before all of us. Our baby was gone. Our soldier was staring back at us.

From that point on I knew life would be different. I would no longer get upset when the phone rang at 3 a.m., because that’s when you have time to talk. I would hope and pray that when an assignment came, it was on this soil. I would be proud to live in this country more than I ever thought, because my blood is out there protecting it.

To my blood, your blood, and the blood of every American who lost their life protecting this great nation, we thank you.

Thank you, today, tomorrow, and forever, for being our soldiers.