It probably comes as no surprise to most who know me that I’m a fan of the US Armed Forces.

Despite any political beliefs about where we should be involved in armed conflict and with whom, the men and women of our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard are doing a job that their country asks of them.

We have an armed force made up of VOLUNTEERS. Men and Women who made a conscious decision, even in this time of military unrest, to serve our country. And for that decision and commitment, I am grateful beyond words.

Since the war started in 2003 almost 4500 men and women of our military have given their lives. Not a single one of them goes unforgotten in my book. Every one of them had a mother, a father, grandparents and many (if not most) had spouses and children. Every one of them was the most important person in the world to at least one other human being and their sacrifice devastated their families.

Today, the day that we finally killed Osama bin Laden the person responsible for organizing the attacks of 9/11/01, I am especially thankful for those who put themselves in harm’s way so that we can bring some closure to the attacks on our country, our people, family, and friends.

Like many things, I think Mark Twain said it best:

“I’ve never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure.”
— Mark Twain

It’s easy for us here at home to make smart assed comments on Twitter and Facebook (I did and I laughed at others who did – so I’m not being judgemental), but it’s a lot more difficult to sign the papers to join the military, go through the training, plan, rehearse and then execute that plan.

If you currently serve in our armed forces or if you have in the past, I truly, without any sarcasm or political agenda, thank you for your service to the United States of America.