On a hiking trip last weekend, we stopped at a unique mountain town just off the Appalachian Trail -- Helen, Georgia.

We toured some of the shops in town.  As we entered one shop, Gold Valley, the owner Jeff stopped ringing up a paying customer, walked over to us and asked my honey and I if we were military veterans.  Phillip said yes.  He shook his hand, thanked him, and took the time to ask where and when he had served.  He then asked him to sign his book.  As he signed, Jeff explained that the entire top of the store is bordered with pages of signatures from veterans that had visited his store.  Only after thanking Phillip again, Jeff returned to his customer.  The customer patiently waited and did not say a word; she stood with a smile on her face and a sense of pride that seemed to come with her being part of that moment.

United States military members volunteer to uphold the constitution even at the loss of their lives.  They believe in this country and the values that we hold dear.   They believe that everyone, in every country should be free.  

I have been fortunate to be part of the military community for the majority of my life.  I was a granddaughter to an Air Force/ Army World War II veteran, a daughter to an Army Vietnam Veteran, a stepdaughter to an Air Force Gulf War Veteran and a Navy wife during the September 11 tragedy.

I have heard Air Force F-15 or F-22 fighter jets fly over my home at every place I have lived.  I have stood by good friends’ sides as they said good-bye to their husbands for 6- month and 12-month deployments and have joyfully stood on the pier as I watched numerous homecomings for U.S. Navy ships.  

Now, I have the daily privilege to sit across the desk from United States service members that are proud to serve a year at a time in either Iraq or Afghanistan to uphold our rights and the rights of others.  Many of these men and women are Navy members volunteering to leave their current assignments and go alone to serve as Individual Augmentees to other services with “boots on ground” instead of serving on a ship or taking their shore duty.  It is their passion and their mission.  

How does this apply to coaching you might ask?   Involvement in our communities.  We have gotten away from our sense of community and civic mindedness.  We need to take steps to be more involved even in a small way.

I ask that you take a small step this week.  No matter what your political views are or your personal feelings about world events, find a veteran or active duty service member and thank them for what they do for our country.  As they look into your eyes and lower their heads, I’ll bet you will see a little smile come across their face.  As you see the humbleness in their demeanor, know that they are remembering those that came before them and their fallen friends.  Give them a moment of silence and know that you made a difference to that one person that day.

If you are a veteran, active duty service member, family member, or someone that supports them, thank you for your service.  Thank you for standing on the wall, manning the rails, watching the skies, and being on the front lines for us.  

To send a care package to a service member, click here.

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