Can you name this celebrity that actually got his start in radio on the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln? Find out who and why the Navy has given him a different respect for our Armed Forces including ways you can support.

Let's start by saying I'm not a celebrity, but I did get my start on a radio station aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. It's Tuesday morning around 1:31 A.M on May 24 and I'm just now finishing up a blog that I was writing on Saturday. We've been living at St. Luke's Children's Hospital due to health problems with our 16 month old son. It's been so hectic that this is why I'm just now finishing up, but I thought it was important to bring it up.

Saturday, May 22 was Armed Forces Day to celebrate all the branches of our military that protect and serve our country.

Armed Forces Day - the day was created on 31 August 1949, to honor Americans serving in the five U.S. military branches – the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard.

I believe each generation views the military in a different way based on life experience. For instance: I remember watching old movies with my dad like; Platoon, Patton, The Great Escape, The Longest Day and Mister Roberts. There were a few series like M.A.S.H. and Hogan's Heroes. My uncle was in Vietnam and that era related to those films.

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I get sucked in to Saving Private Ryan every time it’s on. The filming continuity and award winning actors cement this movie as one of the best military films of all time. Tom Hanks is masterful. The list goes on from there including more modern films like Black Hawk Down, The Hurt Locker, Pearl harbor, Full Metal Jacket, and The Three Kings.

Armed Forces Day and Veteran’s Day are just two days out of the year that most people hear about after it’s over. Memorial Day weekend is the kick-off to Summer right?

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day and commemorates all men and women, who have died in military service for the United States.

Don't feel guilty, most of us do it. We have live that revolve around our own lives and everything else can become background noise. So, let's try something and let me challenge you a few things.

I guess I challenge you to NOT forget. I challenge you to do something that will make a veteran smile even if it’s for one day.

  1. Say thank you to a person in uniform. You don’t have to agree with war and that’s not what this is about. I’m challenging you to put politics aside and welcome humanity. The next time you see a man or woman in uniform at the grocery store, gas station or mall. Walk up and say thank you for protecting us or simply just shake their hand with a smile. I think they’ve earned it.
  2. Adopt a soldier serving now. Select someone currently serving and send them a care package. When I was in the Navy, my mom would send packages all the time with homemade cookies and brownies. It makes you feel good, but not everyone has someone. Be that someone for them as they serve for you.
  3. The next time the news reports on mass deployment from Mountain Home Airforce Base, be there with signs. Show up with your family to say thank you and good luck. Same thing for arrivals. Should they ALL be celebrated as they depart or come home from service?
  4. Support a military family and volunteer. I’ve listed some resources that would get you in the right direction, but look in to it. The families have it just as bad and nobody speaks about them. These moms and dads keep everything going at home through birthdays, graduations, tragedy and the list goes on. Help them.
No filters, no touching up. Just great photo
Kekeluv takes this picture as the sun sets over Tokyo with the American flag flying high.
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So, thank you. My appreciation to you and your family that sacrifices for us. I served in the U.S. Navy and proudly wore that uniform on board the U.S.S. Sacramento AOE-1 and U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. I didn’t serve on a front line and was never in a critical situation. I would NEVER disrespect my shipmates by discounting any of our roles either. You’re always at risk when wearing that uniform. We were lucky. I wouldn’t take those four years back for anything. I grew up, saw the world, met great people and learned about life. The military paid for college, rent, food and helped me survive once I honorably discharged. The NAVY sent me to the Northwest and that’s what eventually brought me to Boise.

 

I hope you can understand that we get caught up in the craziness of life that you have sworn to protect. It’s not that we don’t appreciate you, It’s just that we’re not reminded enough and for that I want to apologize.

Kekeluv in Studio Out To Sea
Kekeluv hosting radio show while on temporary assignment to the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier.
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