Follow Friday #6

Follow Friday is back again!  This is a weekly meme co-hosted by Alison at Alison Can Read and Rachel at Parajunkee.  Each week, both Alison and Parajunkee feature a blog as well - this week's featured blogs are:  The Book Nympho and Mother Lode. So go check them out!  This is a great way to connect with your fellow bloggers, and get to know them a little better as well, perhaps - since a part of Follow Friday is answering the question of the week!

This week's question is:

In light of 11.11.11 and Veteran's Day, tell us about your favorite soldier and how he or she is saving the world (fictional or real life).

First, a fictional answer. I'd like to thank Sgt Malcolm Reynolds and the rest of the Browncoats for their service.  You "may have been [on] the losing side.  Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

And on a more personal note, I know/have known so many people who either are currently serving in the armed forces, or who have served in the past.  But today I'll just give a shout-out to two:  my dad and his father.  Both of them served in the US Navy.  Sometimes it was hard being a Navy Brat - starting over at a new school and making new friends is never easy - but all I really remember now are the good parts about it.  I was able to have experiences in my childhood that many people don't have in their entire life, and I never would have gotten the opportunities I did if my dad had not been in the military, and I am so proud of his service and the service of our many other relatives who served before him (both on his side of the family as well as on my mother's).  I am an anthropology major at university, and I know one of the reasons (maybe even the biggest reason) I'm so interested in other cultures, people, and languages is because of the time my dad spent in the Navy.

My paternal grandfather, Lee Roy Mullen. Former PO2 USN, SSgt USAF. RIP.

Family photo with my dad, who retired CPO Michael L Mullen

To all the men and women who have served in any branch of the armed forces, no matter what country you are from, you are appreciated.

To those who are currently serving and are deployed, I hope you are able to make it home safely and soon.

To those who are already home, wherever home may be, welcome back.  I'm glad you made it.