My father, being a Vietnam Veteran, qualifies for VA healthcare. I accompanied Dad one day to an appointment at the VA Health Center. I wasn't going to turn down a chance to take a long break away from the office. As Dad was busy with his appointment I walked around the facility.

As I walked I watched as people walked in for their appointments. I watched older ladies walk next to their husbands with worry in their faces. I watched a leg amputee move around as if he had never lost a limb. Even pounding the prosthetic leg on a counter when he ran out of patience. I watched an elderly gentleman, with a walk that was more like a shuffle, take 20 minutes to get up the stairs to the second floor. Not because no one would help him, but because he refused to use the elevator. He proclaimed, "The elevator is for guys who really need it!"

Then, I remembered WHERE exactly I was and who the people I was watching are. These were men and women who have sacrificed. These are men and women who honorably served our country. These are people who may have seen things I will never see, and I'm thankful that I may never see what they might have seen. Because if I never see it, they are the reason why. They already made that sacrifice for me, for my kids, for my family, for all of us. My Dad was done with his appointment much sooner than I expected. As I walked up to him, and took one more look around I realized the experience I had the opportunity to have by simply driving my Dad to an appointment. I was visiting a Hall of Heroes.

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