Yesterday was the Marine Corps Birthday, and today is Veteran's Day, so it's a perfect time to write about someone special in my life... my little brother, Col. Jeff Haynes.
He has served our country for 25 years with honor, dignity, and the upmost integrity. We as a family are very proud of him, and thankful for his service.
It is with mixed emotions that he has chosen to retire this month. He, his awesome and talented wife Lori, along with their three kids, are saying goodbye to military life. They have had some wonderful times, along with many tough times. It has not been easy moving every few years, getting the kids situated, and setting up house. Lori is a master at making a house a home, literally, in a day or two.
There is so much I could say about Jeff and his awesome service, but I've decided just to post some random pictures of him over the years, with a little Frenchness tucked in, as always!
These are all fun type photos. I don't mean in anyway to diminish the seriousness of the job at hand... protecting our country!!!!!!
With my oldest daughter, right after Jeff graduated Officer Candidate School.
My husband, with our daughter, and the gifts Jeff got her for Christmas!!!!!!
Commissioning ceremony in Austin, TX, with our parents, 1985.
His beautiful, awesome, and talented wife Lori.
In Iraq.
Passing out treats to the Iraqi children.
This was a very dangerous place to be.
This is funny, and not planned. Every single soldier in this photo has a cell phone in his hand, or is reaching for one!!!!
Jeff served alongside French troops in Afghanistan.
More French troops. Jeff is in the very middle of them.
Here is a group of soldiers, just hanging out.
So, Jeff, I salute you! You've shown incredible strength and bravery over the years. I know you will miss the Marines, but as I've heard a few times over the past few days,
"Once a Marine, always a Marine."
Good luck to you and Lori, as you adjust to civilian life. Enjoy your new place in the Texas Hill Country. Relax, kick back, and save us a seat, as you watch the sunset from your backyard. We'll be out to visit, shortly!
I love you!
Teri
13 comments:
Hello Teri. Thank you for sharing about your brother and sister-in-law and what they and their children do is definitely serve as a family in their sacrifice to our country. Those were great pictures and you look so much like your mom! I hope the writing is going well. Semper Fi
What a wonderful tribute to your brother.
I love the pics -- like the one where they're passing out treat to the kids there in Iraq. Amazing. I wish we heard more about things like that, that go on all the time, day in and day out, so often totally overlooked and unmentioned...
Thanks for the reminder of all that our military does - oftentimes with no thanks. :)
Ruth
What a great post! I love all the pics! What a beautiful way to honor your brother. My brother is in the service, too. I am so grateful to all the men and women who make the sacrifice to protect our country.
xo,
Adrienne
Thanks for sharing, Teri! Love all the photos.
What an awesome tribute to your brother and all of our brave men and women too! Thanks for sharing!
P.S. you look just like your mom!
25 years of sacrifice and service is huge. Please thank him for me!
Congrats to your brother! I wish him and Lori the best at adjusting to civilian life. My dad just retired last year from the Air Force after serving for 35 years so they're in the same boat.
Sisterly love for a brother is a wonderful thing! Beautiful and heart-warming post...
Hi Teri,
I'm so grateful to your brother and all of our service people past and present for their wonderful service to our country. I am forever grateful for the sacrifice they make for the freedoms I so enjoy!
Now, on a lighter note and no offense to your sister-in-law Lori, but your brother is HOT!
Thank you Teri for your lovely comment on my blog, I truly appreciate it!
Awww what a wonderful tribute to you brother! "Once a Marine Always a Marine" congrats to him and his family for all of their service. I get emotional during this week. we attended the Marine Corps ball in DC on Saturday, it's always a special evening. Yesterday my chickadees called their daddy Mr. Fancy Pants!!! it was so funny!!
Big hugs to YOU,
xo,
LuLu
Teri,
Thank you for your kind words. It is a pleasure to have you as a sister-in-law! Where did you find that picture of me?!
Karyn, No offense taken. I think he is HOT, too!
Along with the separations, etc. we had many, many wonderful times in the Marine Corps. So much of it was made wonderful by all of the lovely people we met along the way!
Lori
Lori,
That is one of my favorite pics of you. It was taken at the rodeo when Jacob rode that bull for 1.52 seconds. Ha Ha.
Teri
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