Every Day

I’ve been in a rock band

I’ve performed on the Muny stage in a production of Godspell

I’ve seen Pearl Jam in concert three times

I’ve sung “New York, New York” at three separate wedding receptions (including my own)

I’ve written numerous seldom-read blog entries about various aspects of my life

I’ve dated many wonderful women and successfully managed to not have all of them hate me when it was over

I’ve flown in private jets around the United States

I’ve set the single season RBI and hits records (so far) in MLB 2010 the Show on PS2

I’ve taken a girl (my eventual wife) to a Paul McCartney concert for our very first date

I’ve seen the St Louis Blues cap off an improbable comeback and clinch a playoff spot at home in the 2008-2009 NHL season

I’ve received numerous medals and honors for both playing the alto saxophone and singing solo and in groups in grade school music competitions

I’ve been elected to both Junior Class President and Student Council President while in high school

I drive a 1993 Buick LeSabre

I do a fantastic Shaggy impersonation (when drunk)

I’ve worked as an avon lady, trash boy, concession stand worker, video store employee, sales associate, lawn maintenance guy, waiter, meat carver, and various other part time jobs

I’ve worked as a payroll specialist, accounts receivable clerk, and a credit analyst on a full time basis

I’ve been a licensed massage therapist

I’ve drank enough beer and Mt Dew combined to fill a small lake (okay, a big lake)

I’ve been arrested, placed on probation, and eventually “forgiven” for my transgression

I can hear the first few notes of almost any song that’s not hip-hop, R&B, or country and can name it quicker than most people I know

I’ve graduated with a degree in English from an accredited University

I’ve peed next to Rick Edlund from News Channel 5 at a St. Louis Ambush game

I’ve been able to date girls way out of my league in terms of physical attractiveness due to my personality and charm (you may chuckle at this, but the evidence is irrefutable)

I’ve gotten a “thumbs up” from Ryne Sandberg in his last game ever at the old Busch Stadium

I’ve watched an estimated 2,600 hours of professional wrestling (probably more)

I’ve eaten my weight five times over in little chocolate donuts

I’ve run at least 3 pairs of boxer shorts up a high school flag pole

I’ve implemented new strategies and procedures at work

I’ve been on the prom court

I’ve won numerous radio contests based on my ability to quick-dial

I’ve been a Residential Advisor at my former college, guiding the paths of around 40 freshman

I’ve voted in every Presidential election since I turned 18

But I’ve never served my country

I’ve never had to devote years of my life to protecting others

I’ve never had to rely on food and water rations to make it through my day

I’ve never marched through the jungle, the desert, the mountains, or the beach with fear of being shot at from someone that I can’t even see

I’ve never had to point a weapon at another human being with the intent to shoot them for fear of being shot myself

I’ve never had to wait for the ringing in my ears caused by a nearby explosion to pass before I was able to hear what I had to do next to ensure my safety

I’ve never held my dying friend’s body in my arms waiting for help to arrive

I’ve never had to hope that my friend would do the same for me

And, I’ve never had to put my life on the line so that millions of people back home could live theirs without fear

To all of the Veterans out there, thank you. Thank you for your service, your selflessness, your bravery, your fear, your love of your country, and your willingness to fight for it. Thank you for being a symbol of hope, a pillar of strength, and a model of bravery. Thank you for being fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, cousins, uncles, brothers, sisters, and friends while you serve your country away from the very family that you love. And thank you for the freedom and the ability to do all of the things I listed above and more. For all that I’ve done and all that I’ll ever do, thank you.

Every day should be Veterans Day.