That’s me in the picture, and I’m wearing white.  That white uniform is the standard Navy Summer Whites uniform. You wear that during the Spring into Fall.  I wore that type of uniform for over 11 years before realized it was time to pursue something else.

     Many folks will have stories to tell about their time in the service, good and bad stories.  They’ll regale you with stories of visiting foreign countries, or times they worried for their lives.  They’ll perhaps tell you about lost buddies, both dead, and just out of touch.  Perhaps they’ll even hint at missions most secret.

     Each of us that’s served could tell you things you’d never believe but each would be true.  My own personal stories include an at sea assistance never reported to the time I stood under the freezing rush of water from a fire hose…on a submarine. Some of these stories would make you laugh, some might make you cry, and others would leave you speechless.

     I’m not hear to tell you all those stories tonight. I’m not here to chest thump either. What I want to do is encourage you to take a moment and believe those stories are worth hearing.

     In honor of Veteran’s Day, why not take time to spend a few moments and let your favorite vet or active duty person bend your ear.  Let them tell you about what it’s been for them.  Let them tell about their years wearing whites, or blues, or black.

    If you listen up close, I might even share a bit from my years on subs, and tell you the tail of ice block and a cherry.

Big picture for big news. My wonderful wife has reached her 10% weight loss goal today. She’s really been making an incredible change in her lifestyle this past few months, and you can tell.

She and I started following the Weight Watchers plan a while back. It’s starting to pay off. But not content to just take the pounds off by diet, she encouraged our purchase of the Wii Fit for the family.

The Wii Fit has gone from the occasional play thing to a daily fun time for her. She’s even been bugging me about not letting my Mii get lonely. Ha.

Please join me in cheering this wonderful woman’s success.