Heroes all: Today is the day we thank those who protect freedom

History is filled with heroes who have risked their lives for people they did not even know and for a country and a flag.

Some of them were simple people from modest lives who answered the call when their country needed to be defended. Others gave up lucrative jobs and career prospects when their country announced its intentions to go to war, choosing to be part of something bigger than themselves.

They said goodbye to families and boarded buses or planes and headed for posts in countries unknown and for futures that were uncertain to say the least.

All served with courage, valor and distinction, no matter how many stars or stripes they had on their uniform.

And some of them never came home again.

There are literally millions of people who can say that they were a part of any one of the wars or other missions that have been carried out so valiantly by the members of the U.S. military. And while we still have a lot of them around to thank, there are many more whom we lose every day as they finish out their lives.

All of them deserve our gratitude.

This country would not be what it is today if it had not been for the sacrifices of the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have served this country across the decades.

Their bravery and willingness to put their own lives on the line to preserve the freedoms of the people of this nation and those in countries thousands of miles away is what makes their contribution so profound.

The best way to thank them, other than to tell them, is to continue to protect the freedoms they helped provide, and to support the men and women who continue their legacy through their service in today's armed forces.

They truly are heroes, all.

Published in Editorials on November 11, 2014 11:00 AM