Veteran’s Day: Never Forget!

Today is Veterans Day here in the US. It is a day we honor those who fought and died for us—and we honor those who live and fight today. I’ve blogged on this topic in the past and recapped them here last year on the 11^th, the last day of our donation period for Hero Dogs. 

This day always makes me think of my dad and the other members of my family who served when their nation called. My dad (and my mom) passed away shortly before the release of the first Pets in Space® anthology, so this time is very poignant for me. 

I’ve shared this before, but I want to share it again. It demonstrates, to me at least, how strong the ties are for those who have fought together. Those men doing last honors for my dad were, with a couple of younger exceptions, his comrades-in-arms. 

I also had the opportunity to visit the Punch Bowl memorial in Hawaii and took this picture of my uncle, Callas’s name there. You can read his story here. It is strange, I suppose, to miss someone you never met, but my mom and grandma told me about him so much, I felt I did know him. He gave up the life he could have had to serve his country, to preserve the freedom that I now enjoy. I am so grateful to him and all those who died.

And I am grateful to those who fought and came home, some with wounds that affected their whole lives. That is why Hero Dogs and other veterans support organizations exist: to help our heroes after the external battles are over and the internal battles begin. 

Parade of Colors, Memorial Day, Houston National Cemetery, Houston, Texas

As I have written before, supporting Hero Dogs is very personal to me and is the reason Pets in Space® 4, just like the other Pets in Space editions, donates 10% of our first month’s sales. Why the first month? The first month is when a book makes most of its sales, and hence profit. We’re proud that we figure our donation before deducting expenses. 

Today is the last day of our donation period and I hope, if you haven’t already, you’ll consider grabbing a copy of Pets in Space 4 today so that your purchase will count toward helping Hero Dogs who help our veterans and first responders. If you’ve got your copy, consider gifting a copy to a friend. 

Other ways you can help those who serve us today?

Parade of Colors, Memorial Day, Houston National Cemetery, Houston, Texas

• Buy them a meal.
• Shake their hand and thank them.
• Pray for them and their families.
• Never forget. 

Perilously yours,

Pauline