John,

Today is Veterans' Day. And this is Bob:

This is Bob: [[link removed]]
Bob was an outstanding high school athlete. He received multiple scholarship offers when he graduated in 1965. But he grew restless after high school and enlisted in the Marine Corps.

He was sent to Vietnam and was stationed at various places with names like Phu Bai, Quang Tri and Hue. They were up near the demilitarized zone between the border of then-South Vietnam and North Vietnam. He was there during the bloody Tet Offensive in early 1968.

Bob came home to his wife, Linda, who had been his girlfriend since seventh grade. A son was born. Careers were started. And then a lump appeared on his neck – and grew rapidly. The doctors diagnosed it as Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and said it was a result of his exposure to Agent Orange.

Next came the cobalt treatments and later chemotherapy. Out of desperation, he even tried the exotic and unproven treatments. It was a rough go on and off for about 11 years before he passed at the age of 34. He left behind two children and his beloved wife.

Until her death, his mother never really got over Bob's passing. Parents aren't supposed to see their children die.

Bob was also my older brother, and I still think about him a lot of the time, even 42 years later but especially around Veterans' Day and Memorial Day.

It is common to say "thank you for your service" to veterans this time of year. And we should.

But we should also think about why we're thankful to them.

I am thankful for our veterans' bravery and their willingness to put themselves in harm's way on our behalf.

I am thankful that they are willing to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

I am thankful for their selflessness in all this as their service is voluntary. Without a draft, of course, they chose to serve.

I am thankful for their many sacrifices. Some delay starting their careers. Some servicemembers leave families behind when they deploy, knowing they might not see their loved ones again.

And we can choose to honor their service, John.Today is Veterans' Day.

Denny
Paid for by Heck for Lt. Governor (D)

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Heck for Lt. Governor (D)
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Olympia, WA 98507
United States

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