Veterans Day is a time to honor those who served our country. But for our family at Targeted Possibilities, it’s also a time to recognize the people who stood behind them.
Every Veterans Day, millions of Americans take a moment to thank the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces. As a retired United States Air Force veteran with 28 years of service, I have always appreciated those gestures, even if being thanked for my service still feels a little uncomfortable.
Like many veterans, I volunteered because I believed in serving my country. I accepted the responsibilities that came with that decision, including the deployments, long hours, and time away from home.
But there is another side of military service that doesn’t always receive the recognition it deserves.
The families who never volunteered, but served right alongside us.
The Sacrifices Behind the Uniform
Military service doesn’t just affect the person wearing the uniform.
It affects the spouse who suddenly becomes responsible for everything at home while their loved one is deployed. It affects the children who celebrate birthdays, holidays, and important milestones without a parent there to share those moments.
It means missed school events, family gatherings, anniversaries, and countless everyday experiences that most people take for granted.
And perhaps the hardest part is the uncertainty. Not knowing exactly when someone will return, where they might be sent next, or what challenges they may face along the way.
Our families don’t always have a say in those sacrifices. They simply find a way to make things work.
For many of us who served, that unwavering support made it possible to focus on the mission in front of us.
From Military Service to a Family Business
Throughout my 28-year Air Force career, my wife Donna and our children, Shelbi and Devin, were there through the challenges, relocations, deployments, and everything else that came with military life.
They made sacrifices because of a decision I made to serve.
Today, that same family is behind Targeted Possibilities.
What began as a commitment to serving our country has continued in a different way. Through Targeted Possibilities, we have the opportunity to work with charitable organizations, foundations, and community groups that are making a difference in the lives of others.
Our Air Cannon, Drone Drive, and Drone Golf Ball Drop activities may bring excitement to charity golf tournaments, but the real purpose behind what we do is helping organizations raise money for causes that matter.
Some of those organizations directly support veterans and military families, making the work especially meaningful to us.
While our mission has changed, the importance of family, teamwork, and service has not.
A Special Thank You to Military Families
This Veterans Day, I want to personally thank my wife Donna and our children, Shelbi and Devin.
Thank you for standing beside me throughout my military career. Thank you for the missed moments, the patience, the sacrifices, and the support that allowed me to do my job.
I couldn’t have done it without you.
And to the countless military spouses, children, parents, and loved ones who have made similar sacrifices, please know that your contributions have not gone unnoticed.
You may never have worn the uniform, but you were an essential part of the mission.
Honoring Those Who Serve and Those Who Support Them
To my fellow veterans, thank you for your service, your dedication, and your willingness to answer the call.
To the families who stood behind us, thank you for everything you gave along the way.
And to the organizations that continue supporting veterans and their families long after military service ends, thank you for the important work you do.
From our family at Targeted Possibilities to yours, Happy Veterans Day.
Rob Valenca
Owner, Targeted Possibilities
United States Air Force, Retired
28 Years of Service
For more information on some of the Veteran organizations we support see our recent Facebook post on the Military Missions in Action event at Bentwinds Golf and Country Club.
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