Our armed forces protect and serve. They get involved in both domestic and international peace keeping, emergency response, military action, and more. On November 11th take some time to remember and honor them. If you do not know any veterans, read about my family members stories of service.

 Two of my uncles survived the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on December 7, 1941. It left 2,403 dead, destroyed 188 planes and damaged or destroyed 8 battleships. After the raid, the U.S. was brought into the Second World War as a full combatant.

Ben Waldock, Veteran

My Uncle Ben, a North Dakota farm kid, enlisted in the U.S. Navy before he graduated from high school. He served aboard the U.S.S. Pennsylvania as a gunners mate in California and Pearl Harbor.  She was one of the first ships in the harbor to open fire as enemy dive bombers and torpedo planes roared out of the sky. In 2004, he was awarded an honorary high school diploma along with his youngest grandchild. He always gave us honey from his beehives. He died in 2008 at the age of 92.

My Great Uncle Cary, from Georgia, enlisted in the Navy and and was attached to the U.S.S. California stationed at Pearl Harbor. He helped carry on after the attacks amidst many deaths and much destruction. Now deceased, he lived in Pleasanton, California. He worked for the county health department. I remember his hearty laugh and ability to tell a story about his adventures. One of my regrets is that he died before he could tell my children his stories about Pearl Harbor.

Cary and Doris Ferrell

Another WWII veteran, my Great Uncle Claude was drafted into the army in 1942. He felt OK about the draft and said he thought it would be fun to drive the tanks. He participated in D-Day near Normandy, France. Claude was taken prisoner by the Nazi's and spent 266 days in a war camp. He lived in California and was active with other POW's (prisoners of war).

My Dad Ray enlisted in the U.S. army and served between 1955-1957 as a prison guard at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He stayed in touch throughout his lifetime with several of his Army buddies. He also took advantage of what he called "Vet Ag School" - a special training program offered locally for veterans. He was also a patient at a Veterans Hospital.

All of my Mother's brothers - my uncles Myron, Willie and Gary were National Guardsman. They are called upon to provide security at home and combat terrorism abroad. They assist after natural diasters like Hurricane Katrina and have been deployed to Iraq. Willie and Gary both died in their 30's. Myron spent his career working at the military base in North Dakota. He is a member of the Patriot Guard Riders and travels to funerals of veterans on his motorcycle. 

Kevin Waldock, Iraq Veteran

My brother Kevin enrolled in the National Guard in 1994 and was deployed to Iraq in 2005-07. From Iraq, he brought back photographs and meaningful souvenirs for my children. He is now a small wheel vehicle mechanic at a military base in Minnesota and occasional 'guards' training. He is 32 years old, single, a homeowner, landlord, hunter, and fisherman.

Unfortunately, we do not know the stories of service of several family members.  My Great Uncle Delvin was in the Coast Guard, Uncle Albin was active military and numerous cousins are veterans. I  include them in this tribute to veterans in my family.

Photo: Kevin Waldock, National Guard and Iraq War Veteran

Leadership development expert & educator, Donna Rae Scheffert knows how public action by others for others improves lives - she helps people to get involved and provides tools to propel them toward their goals easier, faster, and with more fun. Read more from Donna Rae at Online-Leadership-Tools and follow Donna Rae on Twitter and Facebook.