I think it's important to take a moment today and truly pause from the hustle- bustle of daily life and really think about why today is a holiday.  Contrary to popular opinion, it's not just because we haven't had a day off in a while or an excuse to hold a parade.  Today is one of the more important holidays we have in America.

It is a chance for us to celebrate how we got here, and honor those men and women who sacrificed to get us here.  And of course we think first of those who paid for our freedom with their lives, but there are many kinds of sacrifice.  There are those who came home with lasting injuries.  There are men who missed the births of the children.  There are women who didn't get to kiss their little one goodbye as they got on the bus to go to kindergarten for the first time.  There are men and women who lost their loves, their parents, their brothers or sisters.  They, too, are heroes.  Just take a moment to look around you.

Think about the opportunity, security and safety we enjoy here in America.  And know that we are the lucky few.  There are unspeakable conditions in so many parts of the world, and we have the audacity to complain that the market is slow and we can't afford what we once could.  We are the lucky ones.

In this time of unrest, please take a moment to support our heroes.  We don't all agree on the best path for this country to take in the coming weeks, months and even years.  But we do all have an obligation to those people over there.  I can't imagine what it would be like to be in constant danger just doing my job.  I can imagine even less how it must feel to turn on the radio or TV and hear about the lack of support for what I was laying my life on the line for.  Let's show them we support them.

Politics aside, they are people.  Brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, parents and children.  The list goes on, but they need out support.  I have adopted a policy and I would like to humbly ask that each of you reading this adopt the same policy.  Every time I see a man or woman in uniform, I stop them and thank them.  They need to hear that we care.  Most of them don't say much, and that's okay.

I spoke last week with a man who is leaving for Iraq next week.  I told him that I do this and he said that it really means a lot to him when someone takes that time to thank him, and he remembers everyone who has done this.  It doesn't happen often.  Let's change that.  Let's send them over there knowing we support them.  Thanks for your help.