My Grandfather, my Father, and every one of my uncles served in war time - Granddad in WWI and the others in WWII.  Our family was so incredibly lucky that they all returned home safe, because they were all in harms way with an enemy shooting real bullets and intent on killing them.

Maybe my family history is one reason it makes my blood boil every time I see anyone who disrespects a soldier or what they do.  Those warriors have a terrible, dangerous job to do but they are only following orders - orders that come from the top, by the way.  So let's not fault them for doing what we ask of them - what some go to great lengths to avoid doing (like moving to Canada).

I hate war!  We should all hate war.  Our soldiers probably hate it more even than those of us who remain safe at home.  But, hating war will not stop it.  As long as there are evil people in this world, war will be a fact of life and we had better have a strong, capable, and willing military to protect us from those who would do us harm. 

So, from the bottom of my heart -

to all of you who serve or have served,

or have family helping to protect our great country and all we stand for - -

"Thank You for Your Service to Your Country!" 

Please repeat this message to every soldier you see.

(Top right - my grandfather/WWI.  Left - my grandfather with my dad and uncle/WWII)