It's easy for most people to overlook or make light of this day not having been involved or knowing people who are. We're used to these freedoms and never having had to question them or have them threatened directly lulls us into a state of complacency. It's a labor of love and whether you agree with the current politics or not, these people are out there in harms way so the rest of us don't have to be. I recently went to my military school reunion. It was my class' 10th and the first one I have gone to. A lot of the guys I graduated with are still in and many are currently deployed. My best friend who I ended up losing track of since then, I learned actually joined after college and is now in Iraq. I have been trying desperately to contact him through other friends of mine now. I also learned that a close friend of mine from that time lost both his legs during his tour. My good friend and an employee of the store Cliff, is a veteran of the Afghani theatre. He was a gunner on an AC130 (the spectre gunship). His job was to help the guys on the ground get back as safe as possible when they needed help.
This is not a holiday to feel badly for those we have lost. They did what they did willingly and because somebody has to and for the other guys that do it. So, like Chief said, while you are bumming around drinking beer and barbecuing, think about who gave a part or it all to make your freedom possible. I don't know anyone who regrets their time in the service and most of the guys I know wish they could have done more.
Thank you for protecting our freedom.
