Happy Veterans Day!  Veterans Day is a day that the U.S. honors troops who’ve served our country.

The Denver Bronco’s Ben Garland is a backup offensive lineman and special teams blocker. Garland graduated from Air Force in 2010 and is an active member of the Colorado Air National Guard.

After two years of service he spent the past two seasons on the Broncos’ practice squad before making the 53-man roster this year.

Garland did not suit up for the first eight weeks of the season, but did so over the weekend in the Broncos win over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.  Ironically, that day happened to be the NFL’s Salute to Service Day, a day that is celebrated in advance of Veterans Day.

In honor of Veterans Day, Garland shared his unique, first-person account of playing for an NFL team while simultaneously serving in the National Guard.

“I am a Denver Broncos offensive guard and I am also a captain in the Colorado Air National Guard at Buckley Air Force Base. It’s an amazing experience to have the opportunity to wear the two best uniforms in the world….

“It’s all a dream come true. I grew up here in Colorado, watching John Elway win Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII. I wore my Broncos T-shirts almost every day to school. And at the same time, I had the opportunity to go see an air show and visit my Grandfather who was a Colonel in the Air Force. So to be able to now be in those shoes and be a Denver Bronco and actually put on a military uniform and serve as a an officer…I’m very proud to do both.”

You can read the full blog by clicking here