“We are in a life-and-death struggle, but not our whole country.  One percent of the Americans are touched by this war.  Then there is a much smaller club of families who have given all.”

    The article further states, “Lt. General Kelly was giving voice to a growing concern among Soldiers and Marines: The American public is largely unaware of the price its military pays to fight the United States’ distant conflicts. Less than 1 percent of the population serves in uniform at a time when the country is engaged in one of the longest periods of sustained combat.  President Barack Obama devoted only six sentences to the war in Afghanistan in his State of the Union address in January.  The 25-second long standing ovation that lawmakers lavished on the troops lasted almost as long as the president’s war remarks.”

    Unfortunately, in this 10^th anniversary year of the terrorist attacks of September 11, many Americans have forgotten our brave heroes who paid the ultimate price as well as those who are still fighting the Taliban, Al Qaida, and other terrorists around the world.  These men and women should never be forgotten. 

    We’ve praised the Greatest Generation of World War II. We’ve finally recognized the veterans of Korea, otherwise known as   the Forgotten War, and those honorable men and women of the Vietnam War who chose to stand for their flag rather than flee like cowards to another country. 

    This generation of Warriors is different.  They are all volunteers.  They enlisted because it was the right thing to do.  They are heroes in the truest sense of the word. 

    I spent a week with my son before his unit, the 2^nd Battalion, 7^th Marine Regiment, deployed to Iraq in 2007.  I had the honor and pleasure of meeting his Marine buddies, a fine group of young men.  All volunteers.  All eager to do what they had been training for.  In spite of the risks involved, and the sacrifice of being away from their families, I didn’t hear a single one say he didn’t want to go.

    Seven months after coming home, having lost several members of their battalion in Iraq, 2/7 deployed to Afghanistan.  I again spent the week before the deployment with my son and his Marine brothers.  As they were waiting for hours at the staging area I heard not a single one say he didn’t want to go.  For some this was their second, third, and fourth deployments. Obviously they’d rather be home with their families, but they took a solemn oath to defend the country they love. 

    My daughter deployed to Iraq with the Army’s 810^th Military Police Company in 2009.  As with my son, I spent several days with her prior to the deployment. I met her buddies, non-commissioned officers, and her commanding officer.  They were ready to do their job.  No complaints. No arguing. They were ready.

    Sandy, Operation Lone Star’s Secretary/Treasurer has had the same experiences.  Her son, a Marine sergeant, also deployed to Iraq in 2009. She saw that same willingness to do what was right, to do what needed to be done.  Her daughter-in-law, also a Marine sergeant, is currently deployed aboard USS Kearsarge off the coast of Libya.  She and her unit were ready to go. A few months after her return, Sandy’s son will deploy to Afghanistan.

    Watching our loved ones, which includes their buddies who are now also our sons and daughters, board those buses and drive away is the hardest thing we’ve ever had to do.  But because we love and support our heroes, we'll be there again if necessary.  

    We have to do whatever it takes to make our friends and neighbors remember these True Americans, the hearts and souls of our country. Today’s warriors have been described as the best our country has to offer.  Let’s keep them, and the military personnel serving all over the world, in the hearts and minds of everyone in this great country of ours. Let’s fly those flags, attend ceremonies, donate to causes such as Operation Lone Star and other military support organizations who provide much needed support for our troops.  And let's make sure we never forget those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom by supporting efforts such as the proposed KIA Monument project.  The National Memorial Ladies (NML), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Houston, TX, is in the process of securing funds to build this memorial to the Fallen Heroes in the Houston area.  Additional information regarding this project can be found on the Honor Our Fallen page of our website. Please take a moment to read over the information and consider making a donation to support their efforts.  

    Let’s do whatever it takes to REMEMBER OUR TROOPS.