Veteran's Day

I woke up this morning thinking about our troops. As of today, we have lost 4081 soldiers since the war in Iraq began back on March 20 2003. I don't know how many have been injured in one way or another. I am humbled when I think of their sacrafice.
But you know, this is nothing new. This country was born out of an armed conflict. A ragtag group of soldiers under the command of General George Washington managed to eek out a miraculous victory over England which allow us to become what we are today.
Since then we have had numerous conflicts which required the men and women of our country to respond. They always have and that is what has made our country great. We enjoy the freedoms we have today because of our veterans. I, for one, am grateful to each and every one of them.
Below is a piece that makes its rounds every so often. I get a lot of jokes, chain emails, and other stuff that I've see a hundred times and it gets deleted quicker that you can say bye, bye. But I always read the piece below, now matter how many times it is sent.
I hope you have a great Memeorial Day and if given the opportunity, thank a vet.

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN, not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the VETERAN,
who salutes the Flag,