Thank you, Dad.

Although there are millions of men and women who deserve endless amounts of praise and thanks for all that they have done for our country, there is one special guy I'd like to thank especially.

My dad.

It's been years since the man has seen combat, or even been in the cock-pit of his most prized Huey Helicopter, but that hasn't stopped him from sharing his memories with me. Ironically the idiot joined the Marine Corps on a dare by his college roommates, but that dare turned into something much more than a whim. 

After more than a decade spent serving our country, my father left the Corps as a Major, and would be one of the highest ranked Marines today if it weren't for me. My dad gave up his career in the military so I wouldn't have to move from place to place, fighting to fit in and becoming detached from society. My dad gave up so much to simply be my dad, and that's something I will never be able to express my complete gratitude for. 

My dad is my hero.

Thank you, to every single veteran: past, present and future, for serving our great nation. You will never be forgotten. 

**Also, on another note these are some of the wonderful things my dad has taught me:

1. You can ask someone to marry you even if you aren't dating (thanks Mom!)

2. You can have your "own" bar 

3. Beer is good and good for you 

4. "You can either be a sun god, or a warrior. I was both"-dad (still don't get this one)

5. Football is better watched at home because then you can nap

6. It's ok to go back to school for photography classes (still weird)

7. Never be wrong, ever.

8. It's ok to get a journalism degree and never use it... Kind of

9. Donnelley's is God-sent

10. Monty Python is better if you memorize it.

To sum it up, happy Veterans Day to all, especially you Dad- because you are the coolest of cool.