All day long I've been meaning to come up with a sentimental and moving way to say thank you to our veterans and service members while giving recognition and gratitude to their families who stay at home and keep the fires burning and candles in the windows for our soldiers.

A witty Facebook status update, a touching blog post.  A tribute in two hundred words or less.  I couldn't come up with anything.  I didn't want to discount the soldiers by paying too much homage to their mothers and fathers and partners and spouses and children and hell- their damned dogs (because have you seen that video?  omg) but I didn't want to forget the mothers and fathers and partners and spouses and children and those damned dogs when they do so much for our country by standing strong and true while their soldiers are off and fighting.

How to say it?
What to say?

***

So, there's an Applebees around the corner from my office.  Applebees offers free meals to Veterans and Active Duty Service Members today.  Every Veteran's Day, I'd imagine.  This afternoon there was a group of homeless vets waiting outside.  Waiting in line for their turn to eat.

I'm not sure how to put my feelings in words, but there it was.  You can picture it for yourself.

The men we see every day here in downtown Philadelphia, with their cardboard signs and ragged boots, worn camouflage jackets and military patches, the men we walk over and away from, avoid and ignore, depending on fucking Applebees for a thank you and a full belly.

***

I know how this happens.  I've seen it, in my own family.  I know that the war military families fight at home can be a dangerous one.  One of heartbreak and loss.  Of frustration and desperation.  Of anger and sadness.  I know that sometimes families lose that war.

For those of you mothers and fathers and partners and spouses and children and even you damned dogs who have fought and those of you still fighting, thank you.  Thank you for supporting our soldiers.  Thank you for standing behind the men and women who stand up for us.

And thank you soldiers.  For those of you who are safe at home, may you stay that way always.  For those of you at training and at war, may you come home safely and soundly and soonly and foreverly.