Sea World

In the years since 9/11, it's been interesting to see "support our troops" become a buzz phrase. There are bumper stickers, magnets, tshirts, and all sorts of marketing gimicks galore. Most people and companies want to say they support our troops, but now, almost six years into what has become a somewhat unpopular war, it's become evidenced at least to me, that many political frustrations are being taken out on the people and their families who've given so much (if not everything) for our freedoms. I'll save my rants for another day because the point of this post is to express my admiration and thankfulness to a company who is putting their money where their mouth is in support of our troops. Anheuser-Busch has offered free admission to any of it's theme parks for active or reserve service members and three of their dependents. Brian, Hayley and I took the opportunity to take a trip to Orlando and visit Sea World this weekend and I was so incredibly impressed with the entire experience. We were greeted by Sea World ambassadors several times while in the park. They always asked if Brian was military (apparently he must have that "look") and each time the ambassadors were so gracious and thankful to all of us for "our" service.

Until it's your sibling, your spouse, your best friend, your parent... I just don't think that most Americans realize what military families are sacrificing until it closely affects their lives. And so for a huge corporation to forgo some potential profit to happily provide a day of enjoyment for those who have given so much... well, I just have a lot of admiration, respect and gratitude.
Hayley told us she was excited to see "sharks and dolphins"

She wasn't so sure about meeting a giant, stuffed Shamu

She got to pet a Clydesdale

She talked all day long about the sharks

But said they scared her (she clung to me after we exited the shark aquarium)

And Shamu hasn't left her side since we returned home! (Although we have had to convince her that Shamu does not need to go in the toilet for a drink of water)