Another Birthday Wish

Today is my husband's birthday. I sat thinking about life, and the sacrifices Nate makes for ours, I couldn't ask for a better husband. He had always wanted to be a fireman, but sometimes life has different plans. When he graduated HS, he had already enlisted in the Army, and just shy of 18 he left his family and friends to go to basic training. A year spent alone in Korea, an 18 year old kid, becoming a man in a far away country. Back stateside, he worked hard at being a soldier, going above and beyond to acheive extra honors and awards. Top of his PLDC (primary leadership development course), Expert Infantryman Badge, countless honors and medals, because to my husband, it's not worth doing if you aren't going to give it your all. Eventually, he left the military, and began to follow his childhood dream, to fight fires. You see, the thing about fireman is their bravery. They run into burning buildings when everyone else is running out, they face the dangers of an tempermental beast, risking their own lives to save the lives of strangers. This was when I met him, just after he graduated from EMT school and was preparing to take his licensing exams. Our lives changed, and so did our dreams, and the fireman in him again pushed to do something most people feared. Right now most people won't even consider joining the Army, knowing it's almost a sure ticket to Iraq. Soldiers who are in are desperate to get out, and to get as far away from the service as possible.Nate has had friends die in Iraq, soldiers he has trained, and even the man who took his place in his old unit. Still, he fought tooth and nail to get back in, to face the dangers and the hardships so he could give us all a better life. 27 years ago a hero was born, and for that I'm grateful. We love you, hon. Thank you for everything you do... Happy Birthday Nate!