Flying into Alexandria, LA today, I was reminded of how small towns in the U.S. provide the backbone to the U.S. Military. Of the 40 or so passenger, one lone soldier in desert fatigues waited for the flight in Atlanta. Walking from the plane to the small terminal in Alexandria I noticed his 101st Airborne patch and asked if that was his unit. "No," he said "I provide support to them." Where have you been, was my next question.
"Iraq", he said as we entered the small terminal, then there in his arms was his wife and children and the joy of his being home, safe, was all around. Over the past year I've seen soldiers traveling across the U.S. One one flight to Seattle from the east, I waited at the terminal window and watched as a casket was taken from the plane, with an escort and the plane Captain standing at attention as the casket came off the plane.
Too easily we forget what sacrifice it takes to serve in our military. Too easily our politicians forget what they ask of our soldiers when they send them off to war for soon, muddled reasons.