A Salute To Our Service Men and Women

As you all know this day is the 9th anniversary of 9/11.  I didn't want to allow the day to go by without respectfully saying Thank You to all the men and women who serve our country in various capacities: our Armed Forces, our Police, our Firemen/women, Emergency Personnel, and all others.  Let us never forget those who lost their lives that day, and also those who continue to fight for our freedoms and safety.  Let us also remember the families of those who serve our nation, cities, and communities.

And for those of you who do not know, my Dad also falls in this line of heroes.  My Dad is a retired City of Detroit, Michigan Firefighter.  Dad became a firefighter when I was still in elementary school.  I remember clearly his training and eventual graduation as a firefighter.  If I remember correctly, he was one of the oldest if not, the oldest, cadet in his class and the one with the highest test scores. This he accomplished after working for the Ford Motor Company for years.

I grew up knowing my Dad ran into danger and not away from it.  It is sobering for a child to realize that their parent may go to work one morning and may not return home the next because of the dangers of their job.  I was extremely proud of my Dad being a firefighter.  He was the Dad who was involved in PTA meetings.  He came up to the school in his firefighter uniform on Career Day.  I even remember the kids in my high school announcing to me, "Yolanda we saw your Dad down here today", when someone would pull the fire alarm in the hall in order to interrupt Final's Week. 

Thank you Dad for your service to your community.  We love you!

Dad and Cousin Essie Gilbert
(one of our BEST Community Service Workers)