Straight Talk with Sam: A Humble Thank You to Our Veterans
After a couple of contentious weeks in Washington, the House is once again in recess. Given we're in the middle of harvest, that means I've been spending most of my days in the cab of a combine.
That's given me some time to reflect on what's been going on in our country lately. It's also allowed me to spend a lot of time doing something I love very deeply—farming—with some of the people I love the most in this world—my family. See, like many farmers in Missouri and across the country, our farm is a family thing. It was passed to me by my father and to him by his father, back six generations right here in Northwest Missouri. I'm deeply proud of the fact my son is now farming alongside me. In fact, there are few things that bring me as much joy as sharing this tradition with my grandchildren, who I hope will someday follow in our footsteps.
The reason I share that with you is because it's something I am incredibly grateful for. Despite everything going on in America today, despite all our disagreements, problems, and troubles—we are all incredibly blessed to call these United States our home. We're incredibly blessed to share in the freedoms and liberty we all enjoy with our families, friends, and loved ones.
The only reason this is all possible is because of the generations of veterans who have served, sacrificed, fought, and died to protect our country, our freedom, and our families. Without them, none of this would be possible. None of it. And that brings me to my point.
I want to thank all our veterans—past and present—for all they've done to protect America and the American dream. Your freedoms don't come from government, they come from God. You don't owe any politicians or bureaucrats in Washington for protecting them, you owe your neighbor, who left his family and took up to fight for this country and all we hold dear.
So today, please take time to find a veteran in your life that you're thankful for and thank them for their service. But don't just do it today, thank them every day. Because we really do owe it all to them.
Sincerely,
Sam Graves