There was a Veterans Day parade in Biloxi, Mississippi on Saturday, November 8, 2008. My wife took a picture of me marching along with fellow Airmen from Keesler Air Force Base. That's me in the second row and right in the middle of the photo. It took me a while, but I think it finally sunk in what took place on Veterans Day in downtown Biloxi, Mississippi. It was more than just a parade. It was more than just getting into my service dress uniform. It was more than just having something fun to do on a Saturday morning. It was a day of gathering in unity. It was a day of joining with other Airmen who share a love for their country, their branch of service, and their Air Force Base. Each one selflessly made a personal choice to march in the parade...a way of doing something that would instill pride and esprit de corps within themselves while at the same time giving them an avenue to express their gratefulness to all our veterans who redefined the definition of sacrifice. Nobody was forced to be there...the parade was not mandatory...a call went out for volunteers...and they came....and they marched. It was a joy to serve and I savored every step along the streets of Biloxi. To all who serve...I salute you.
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