Thank you to all who served and never came home

There's nothing unusual about thanking a serviceman at the airport, or the mall, or online at the grocery store for their service. I do it all the time because I am forever grateful that these brave souls are willing to do a job that I could not.  

Even if I wanted to, I would never make it through boot camp, never mind four years of rigorous, disciplined, and too often dangerous service. I wish I could do more than simply say thank you.  

But on a day like today, I can't thank those souls who gave their lives. They're not here for me to say thank you for making sure that I can, without fear, gather with my family on holidays, travel at will, shop when I want, etc etc. The list of freedoms we too often take for granted is so very long. I can, and do, however honor those souls and wish to thank all the family members who handled the home front alone so their loved one could make sure I and my family have all the freedoms I grew up with. Thank you to those folks who now must sit at a table with one fewer chair at Thanksgiving, with one less gift on their Christmas list, and forever a whole in their hearts. 

Today I will also stop and remember all the service men and women for having given their all for those of us they never knew. It takes a special person to serve their country, and today I remember and honor those who never came home and thank their families for the ultimate sacrifice. 

Our family will have a quiet day, thankful for more time with the little ones, an extra day without the rush of alarm clocks and work schedules, and of course, as Lee Greenwood said in his wonderful song, the people who gave that right to me. 

God Bless and Thank You,