There are many types of heroes in our lives. The celebrities that we idolize because some part of us wants to be that person: live in their fantasy world, dressing in their expensive clothing, eating at the exclusive restaurants, traveling the globe. Then there are the sports stars we put on a pedestal because we marvel at their ability to dunk a basketball, hit home runs, run at outrageous speeds.

And then there are the people in this world truly deserving of our admiration and respect. People who are putting their lives on the line every day so that we can sleep soundly in our beds, none the wiser about the grave danger these brave men and women constantly face at home and abroad.

You may have guessed I’m referring to the men and women in our armed forces.These are the men and women who deserve to be on cereal boxes, t-shirts, made into action figures, not celebrities and athletes, who often make poor life choices- certainly not ones you’d want your child to make.

If we as a nation want to show our children true role models, we would celebrate the men and women who choose a life of service and not a life of luxury. It takes courage and strength of character to choose a career where you constantly risk your life to save the lives of people you’ve never met.

Armed Forces Week

This courage will be celebrated the week of June 11-16 in Huntsville during Armed Forces week, a week filled with activities to honor and celebrate the men and women in our military. The week also includes military discounts at many local attractions.

Event Highlights

Monday, June 11 at Big Spring Park

• 6:30-9:30pm: Concert in the Park featuring AMC Band (multiple configurations), presentation of Community Covenant and plaques, ending with fireworks.
• More information here.

Friday, June 15 at Kiwanis Sportsplex

• 5:00pm: Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team vs. Team Redstone
• 7:00pm: Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team vs. Senior All-Stars
• More information here.

•  4:00pm: Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team vs. City of Huntsville Team
• More information here.

Attraction Discounts

Many local attractions are offering special discounts to members of the military and their families during the week of June 11-16, 2012. Discounts vary. Check individual attractions’ website for more information about their offerings. Here are some of the attractions offering discounts:

• U.S. Space & Rocket Center & IMAX Theater 
• Huntsville Botanical Garden
• Burritt on the Mountain
• EarlyWorks Museum Complex
• Huntsville Museum of Art
• Sci-Quest, Hands-On Science Center
• Veterans Museum 

Do more

It is not enough to celebrate our military once or even twice a year. They do far, far too much for our country. So what can you do? Share your time and resources with one of the many organizations in this community serving veterans. Here are just a few:

Still Serving Veterans

• Mission: To provide expanded services directly to veterans and their families and develop training and advocacy services for other local advocacy groups around the country
• Serves as a national advocacy center for wounded or disabled veterans
• Visit their website here

Semper Fi Community Task Force

• Mission: To lend support to meet existing and emerging needs of the local community through volunteering time and talent.
• Our focus is the Tennessee Valley community, military veterans of all Services and their families.
• Acts as a conduit for companies, civic organizations, community groups, local churches, and individual citizens who want to use their resources to support wounded warriors and active duty military families.
• Visit their website here.

Marine Corps League

• Promoting the interest of the U. S. Marine Corps; to provide camaraderie and assistance to Marines and preserve the traditions of the U. S. Marine Corps
• Visit their website here.

Extended Holiday

I urge you to extend Armed Forces Week in your life. You do not need a national holiday to remember and honor of these brave citizens. Do you only say “I love you” or thank you to your parents on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day? Most likely not and doing so sounds ridiculous. So let’s apply the same logic to our nation’s protectors.