05/26/2023
MEMORIAL DAY and a pair of Combat Boots...
I remember often, this day. I was sitting in Kari Mickle's 1st period chemistry class one morning, waiting for school to start, and my old buddy from the neighborhood, sat next to me wearing a fresh pair of combat boots. Impressed, I asked him where he got those cool boots. He said he had just joined the Ohio National Guard the prior week. He explained this and how they would pay for his college and give him extra money while he went, in exchange for a weekend a month and a two week camp in the Summer. I had never heard of them. I thought that seemed like a good deal, so I joined up too and talked my brother Nick into the same.
I thought of that day, and those boots often as Drill Sgt's O'Ferral, Akula and Byron worked us through the Summer at Ft Benning. I became stronger, braver and more confident through sweat, and hard work, as I thought constantly on what I was missing out on back home. By the end of the Summer it all became easy to me. I had grown and grown up. I could be relied on. I came to think of others before myself. I could take care of myself with confidence. I could work better with in a team. Those boots made me a man and brought me closer to God in the meantime.
I think of those boots and the thousands of Veterans that I have helped get homes over the years and the business I have built up in the process to care for my family and the 70 orphans that lived with us.
Because of those boots, I haven't missed a day of work in the 38 years since I put my own boots on.
I think of those boots and how they allowed my brother Nick to become a Life Flight pilot and the thousands of people he got to safety over the years.
I think of those boots and my kids and nephews and how they came to Serve our Country and the people they have become because of it. Their college paid for and the friends and memories they now have. and who they have become.
Because of those boots, anytime I hear the National Anthem, or Patriotic songs play, its all I can do to keep my eyes from leaking.
Because of those boots I have great friends and memories to this day. The ones we lost, I think of them often.
Because of those boots, I have a sense of Hope, Pride and deep Respect for my Country, its people its history and future.
I was talking with my old friend today about those boots he wore long ago, and how it transformed our lives. He told me he wore them to school that day because his family didn't have any money for shoes at that time.
So this Memorial Day be thankful for Our Country and be aware of pivotal moments that God puts before you, to lead you down the path to serve others and to make you the person He has planned.
He will provide the boots.
Jeff Vance
