Taking a moment to reflect...

This week, I am taking a few moments to remember what I have and how lucky I am to be a citizen of the United States.  As U.S. citizens, we often take for granted the rights and privileges  that come with being born here.  Of course, the rights and freedoms that we have come to take for granted did not come easily; they were earned over the last 250+ years with a lot of blood and sweat and tears.

Each day, soldiers are injured and die in the performance of duty.  They are on guard to protect our freedoms.  They go where they are told, and they do it for pay that doesn't compensate enough for separation from their families and "normal" life.  United States military veterans are everyday heroes who serve people that don't always appreciate them and who fight for causes that they don't always understand or agree with.  They train year round to be ready to protect us at a moments notice.  They are patriotic, and they are proud.  They are our friends, our neighbors, our family members.  They are all around us, so you know a veteran or a current service member.  This week, say thanks in some way.  Tell a veteran that you appreciate their service, and take a few minutes to think about how fortunate you are to be a U.S citizen.