How would I sum up the way in which I regard the members of our American military? It is difficult because I have never known their individual, personal sacrifice. There has never been a knock on my door with men in uniforms standing outside telling me how heroically a family member has died serving his or her country. Extremely hard to explain my respect considering that I did not choose to serve my country in any branch of service in my nearly 50 years of life on this planet. Without any real skin in the game, how can anyone really comment on  veterans' service and sacrifice? I feel compelled to try.

When the ragtag militia gathered at Concord and Bunker Hill to fend off the Imperial army of the British Crown of King George, they just knew it was the right thing to do. When General George Washington and his men almost froze to death in a hell hole known as Valley Forge, they somehow mustered the will to fight on for American independence. When the Brits set our new nation's Capitol ablaze, Andrew Jackson marched down the Mississippi to turn back the Redcoats and embarrass them into submission.

When the great Civil War tore the country in two, brother answered the call to fight against brother and somehow the Union was preserved.  When Europe was coming apart at the seams and the balance of world power was in play, American G.I.'s stepped up to be counted and prevailed. Even though much of the count involved the brave deceased. These World Wars occurred twice and, both times, American's led the way to victory and peace.

It is shameful that it took so long for many of this country's citizens to recognize and honor the proud and honorable service members who did their jobs and did them well in Korea and Vietnam. Once again, the only attachment most of us have is names on a wall that represent those who died for their country.

In the days that have followed September 11th, 2001, we have been reminded time and again how much our military does to keep us safe and hold our enemies at bay while so many of the best and the brightest are so far away from home for so damned long. And, we have been reminded of the sacrifice that these men and women make every day to honor their oath and their country.