My Cousin Hank

There are many people in my family that I am proud to say I am related to, but my cousin Hank is someone I am not only proud to say is my relative but is someone I admire and look up to on many levels. Even though only a few years separate us, he has seen and done more than I could ever aspire to do. Hank is in the Army and is serving his third tour..this time in Afghanistan. He attended West Point out of high school and has been serving our Country ever since. He flies Apache helicopters and has already been awarded the title of Major and is expected to become a Lt. Colonel sometime next year. On top of having an admirable professional career he is a husband and father to three beautiful children.

My family had the pleasure of spending some time with him while he was home for R&R last week. He left last November and this was his first trip home to the states. He already is back in Afghanistan and we aren't sure when he is expected to come home. Unfortunately, it may not be until after Christmas.

Hank shared with us a "typical" day for him and I must say it is completely different than any "typical" day I have ever known. Patrolling boarders...avoiding ambushes...avoiding IED's.....roadside bombs....being away from your family with limited communication...enduring unimaginable heat conditions...I could go on and on. But, the most amazing thing he does every day is protect and serve our Country. I can sleep better at night knowing there are people in this world like Hank who are willing to give up everything they have to make sure we live in a safer place. How many people can say they do that every day?

I pray for Hank and his family that he returns home safely very soon. Hopefully, he will not have to deploy again for sometime. I know all of our family is much happier when he is in this part of the world where we can reach out and love him from a close distance. Unfortunately, that is not the path that he chose for his life. Instead he chose unselfishly to serve and protect our Country. I am honored to say he is my cousin. I love you Hank. Thank you for all that you do.