Today is Veterans Day—a day to honor those who have served our country, putting their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we sometimes take for granted.
For me, this holiday hits close to home.
This past weekend, my wife and I had the chance to take her father, Donald, out for a special Veterans Day breakfast to celebrate him and the many other veterans in the room.
Donald is 89 years old, sharp as ever, and served in the Air Force during the Korean War. The pride he feels for his service years is clear in every story he shares, and that morning, he even found himself sitting with another Air Force veteran.
The two of them swapped stories, laughing and connecting in that special way only veterans can—like they’re part of a club that the rest of us can’t quite understand.
Hearing Donald’s memories always reminds me how much his family history shaped the man he is today. His own parents spent their retirement flipping real estate, using the proceeds to travel all over—from Oaxaca, Mexico, to Japan and Korea.
Donald may not have been interested in real estate himself, but those stories from his parents have a way of sparking my own imagination and excitement for what’s possible in this business.
One generation inspires the next, sometimes in ways we don’t see until years later.
Today, I’m reminded that every veteran has a story—a journey that shaped who they are and, in some cases, paved the way for those of us who followed.
As I watched Donald that morning, I felt a surge of gratitude not just for him but for every service member who’s sacrificed time with family, faced unimaginable challenges, and given of themselves so that we can enjoy the freedoms and opportunities we have.
So, to Donald and all the veterans out there. THANK YOU.
Thank you for your courage, your sacrifices, and the legacy you’ve passed down.
May we never take for granted the freedoms you’ve fought to protect.
To your success,
Ernie “ Honoring The Brave” Vargas
