I am pretty fortunate for an Army wife.  My husband, though deployed many many times, has never seen combat.  Deployments to me and the kids were more of a nuisance, a disruption in our busy schedules and irritation that our soldier was not home.  Missing my husband occurred each second of each day, but as tired as I was from pulling double duty, I was always happy the tour was an "easy" one.  I was grateful not to have to avoid the news and avoid reading headlines on local newspapers.  I was fortunate not to know the fear and worry other wives have had to endure for decades.  I was extremely fortunate not to have to worry about that certain knock on the door, that certain telephone call to relatives, or that certain talk to our young children.  That all being said, I think about others who HAVE had to do all of that and realize just how lucky I am.  I think of those wives, those children, and those parents all of the time.  My heart is saddened at the loss of brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and I feel it is my duty to pass along my knowledge and burden to my sons so that they too might feel humbled by the sacrifices made by our fallen soldiers.   I am grateful my children stand and cover their hearts when they hear our National Anthem, and that they know what the sound of taps means.  More than anything, though, I am grateful my children are able to express their love and devotion to their father each and everyday.   They seem to truly get it, and know just how lucky they are. 

To those families who have lost their soldier, I offer my most humble appreciation and sympathy. 

I ask each of you reading this that you take a moment today, this Memorial Day, to remember all that it is to be American, how it feels to be free, and honor those who have paid the ultimate price for our great nation.  Know just how lucky we all are, and appreciate how we got that way.