True heroes never die.

Where should I even begin? I'm upset with the American people. Mostly for the fact that they just threw the military to the waste side. That they don't find it a big enough importance to keep it strong and large. I've heard many people say that "we should at least be thankful we even had the opportunity to vote because many other countries don't get the chance". Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but without a military, you will not have those freedoms. Many men and women over many years have died protecting those freedoms for you and if we don't have someone to keep protecting this amazing country... you may actually see those rights dissappear. It's saddening. 

This past weekend one of my best friends came to visit us here in Williamsburg. We don't get to see them very often beacuse they live in South Carolina. Her friendship means the world to me and our kids get along great. I'm going to first tell you how this friendship came to be. 

Back in April of 2010, a girl emailed me to get a print done from our non-profit "Picture the Fallen." Her husband, TSgt Phillip Andrew Myers, had been killed in Afghanistan on April 4, 2009 while working with a bomb. He was in the Air Force and EOD. She wanted the print to hang in a room that was to be dedicated to him so that her children would always be able to honor and remember the great father that he was. I did the print, sent if off and then we wrote, which turned into becoming friends on facebook. After that we visited Arlington together and our kids met for the first time. It was there that they bonded over a loss that is so devastating and heartbreaking to both of our families. And now here we are Gold Star Family Friends for life. We've spent many nights staying up late and talking about our heroes. She "gets" it and we honor them so that others will never forget. She too is devestated over the outcome of this election. Many things will also change for her because of the way things turned out and not in good ways. After everything they have sacrificed for as a family, wife and children. It really is a slap in the face to so many Gold Star Families who have lost loved ones in the war. They were protecting our rights and then we (the majority of the population) go and forget what they gave. 

No matter what though. I have found a friend who understands the pain and appreciates what our military sacrifices for on a daily basis. She and her kids are amazing people that will never let the fallen truly die. They are the heart of what America stands for. We will NEVER FORGET! 

We are only the land of the free because of the brave.