Anna Hunter

Today we celebrate and thank all of the veterans who have stepped up to the plate to serve and protect our country's freedom. I have always been the guy who gets chills when I hear and sing the National Anthem. I was raised to be proud of my country and to love it.

All of those beliefs and feeling were solidified on a visit several years ago to DC. Seeing all the buildings I had only seen on TV and money we amazing. The sense of patriotism swam through my blood stream and gave me a lump in my throat through most of our trip.

I am not a fan of war but I am a fan of freedom and I am thankful that people who feel the same way will stand up to protect it!

Thanks to all you Veterans who fought and continue to fight for our freedom!

I would if I could.

My guess is that people without diabetes must think that Halloween and Thanksgiving would be the "worst" holidays but for PWD's, but it has always been Veterans Day for me since my diagnosis.

Being a senior in high school at my diagnosis of diabetes meant some serious plans were ruined. I had already spent the year prior talking to a recruiter for the Air Force and was really excited about having a chance to serve my country. I also saw the benefit of continued education.

My parents were divorced with 4 kids and did not have much money for us. It was obvious what my choices were. Either find a job or join the military. For me, the answer was simple because I wanted to serve our country and the education thing was just a win-win.

I remember talking to my recruiter on the phone not to long after my diagnosis. I had not thought anything about it until someone told me that they thought the military would not take me. I called my recruiter and he said, "Oh man. I will ask but I do not think you can join now." He called later and confirmed. I remember him saying he was sorry and me answering through audible tears and sorrow with an "its okay."

Crushed? Nope, that is what happens when you open a present hoping for a video game and get an outfit. I was devastated. My world was crumbling all around me every step on this diabetes road. And now this? This was supposed to be my first step into adulthood. The pride a soldier has for his country will never be mine to experience. Why go on? I asked myself those 3 words for a long time.

I look back at the years since that life changing news and can only assume that did not help the years of neglect that followed. I see how I was so mad about my disease that I pretended it was not important. It had already affected so many of my plans that I would not let it get in the way of anything. In a way, that is when diabetes does the most damage.

Now that I am a "born again diabetic" and test 6-8 times a day, I see that the best way to fight and control this stupid disease is to NOT ignore it.