Happy Veteran's Day {Charlotte King Photography Dothan, AL Newborn Baby Child Family Photographer}

Today is no ordinary day, it is a day to stand up, and say Thank You.  Thank you to all of our men and women in arms that have served overseas.  While all Military needs a thank you from time to time, today is a day to honor those who have served in a War.  That is what the true meaning of a "vet" is.

I've served 8 years in the military, and my first and only deployment was in 2008-2009 in Iraq.  I was stationed on two different bases, and had a life changing experience.  When you see the poverty over there it really puts you in check to be truly thankful for all that you have.  I remember being escorted to a different base, and looking up and seeing the children standing on the side of the road, clothes were rags, they looked like they haven't took a bath in clean water in months.  The only water they really had was mud puddles it seemed, and they just looked at you when you passed by.  Sometimes we would catch them yelling for us "Americans".  See previous to my deployment, we use to throw things for them out of the convoy, like water, candy, ect, but now you can't.

I look back and glance at those commercials in my head.  You know the "poverty" ones.  I use to think those were so fake, that someone was making the kids look like that, but in all actuality, poverty is covering our world.  I believe us being in Iraq was helping a bit, I will not get all "political" today though!

I believe everything that I have experienced in my life has led me to where I am.  I was this poor kid from the wrong side of town, joined the Army in high school, graduated, and was deployed a few months later.  That's every 18 year olds wish right?  I graduated high school, went to AIT, and came back to "We will be deploying next year, lets get ready."  That was the beginning of my story.  I had a good experience being deployed, some laughable memories, some sad teary memories.  Working the flight line was a plus as well, when superstars would come, and preform we were the first to see them, so  that was pretty awesome!  I've made friendships, heartbreaks, and a new view on the world!

We don't know how that soldier ended up where he/she is, but we can thank them today!  Hug your soldier!  You  may not even know a vet is walking among you today, but we are everywhere!  Here is a few images from my deployment!  I traded my boots in for my mom jeans, and wont ever look back!