Yesterday was a terrific day to be a farm family here in Kansas.

We harvested wheat in the shadow of our guardians yesterday.

One field we cut yesterday is across the road from our Air Force Base.

We work to feed, they work to protect.

Harvesting makes for long days, high stress, heavy pressure and occasional explosions of emotion.

I’m certain those same words apply in a different way to everyone working across the road from this field. Except sometimes they also work in fear of their immediate safety.

I never have to feel that way – because of their willingness to sacrifice, because of their pledge to protect and defend.

My children can run to their Dad, they can work with him, they can stay with him all day long if they wish.

Racing through the hay patch to Daddy.

Soldiers’ children spent months, sometimes years, separated from a parent.

Some families don’t get their soldier back.

To every person I know, including those in my own family, that has spent any time in any branch of the military, I thank you. To every individual working across the road from us yesterday, and to every person working for the United States Armed Forces anywhere in the world, I thank you.

To anyone who has ever lost someone they love in the line of duty; I will never be able to thank you enough.

I can only offer you the fruits of their sacrifice – everything I raise, most especially these children. I promise that they will be taught to appreciate and understand what your loss has given them, what it has given all of us.

I will teach them. I promise.

I wanted to make this post on D-day, but we didn’t harvest this field until yesterday. I hope it holds the same meaning. May we all be examples for our children in respecting and appreciating our military soldiers and their families.

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