Veterans Day is a day to commemorate all of the brave men and women who have served in the United States military. It is celebrated every year on November 11th, which is also the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I. Veterans Day is a time for families to come together and honor their loved ones who have served in the armed forces. There are many different wars and conflicts that veterans have participated in, so it can be a very personal holiday for many people.
Gary Skinner, founder of Gary’s Quality Plumbing, as a young man in his Navy uniform.
I come from a long line of veterans. My husband Gary served in the U.S. Navy and my father-in-law was decorated in the U.S. Army. My granddaughter is currently serving in the Marines. I am so proud of my family’s service to our country. In this blog post, I want to share a little bit about each of their experiences.
Memories of Military Service
Gary enlisted in the Navy when he was just 17 years old. He served for four years and was stationed all over the world, including the Mediterranean during the Lebanon crisis. He credited his time in the service for his discipline and determination. During the last year of his service, Gary married me, his childhood sweetheart. We were married 1960 and had six beautiful children together. Gary passed away in May, 2014, yet remains the namesake of our business, Gary’s Quality Plumbing.
My father-in-law also served overseas during WWII. He was wounded in combat and received the Purple Heart. His experience in the service was very different from Gary’s, but no less impactful.
Currently Serving in the Marines
Our family is also very proud to have my granddaughter, Shaina, serving in the Marines for several years – actually since graduating high school. She always said she would be President of the USA someday, and with her grit and determination – I won’t be surprised when I see her name on the ballot one day! Her parents miss her terribly, but they know she is following her desire to serve.
I am so proud of my family’s service to our country. Each of them has had a different experience, but they have all made sacrifices for our country that I will be forever grateful for. Veterans play an important role in our society and I hope that we can all do our part to support them however we can.
To all who served, Happy Veterans Day. We honor you!
