"They are the husbands and wives, the sons and daughters of your neighbors..."

All too often media talking heads, bloggers, and politicians discuss the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan like sports commentators. Face it, we all get caught up in the game of "Monday morning quarterback," the games of second guessing strategic decisions, the game of defending or demeaning the Bush administration.

Too often, we forget that real American men and women fight and sacrifice for the decisions made by people well insulated from the pain, the suffering, and the consequences. Too often, we have not felt the pain and suffering of our fellow Americans. Too often, we forget.

One of our neighbors passionately reminds us all that "there but by the grace of God, go I." Let us never forget to honor and respect those who are really no different from the rest of us, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

"On Monday, we will be burying another member of our National Guard. He was a man with a family, friends, and a life ahead of him. He was a good man, loved by many, respected by all. He didn't deserve to die there. He didn't deserve to die without his wife holding his hand, without his children’s farewell kiss.

Please remember that when you are talking about the troop buildups and extensions of the National Guard, they are men and women with families, who miss them so much they find it hard to function, to breathe, to put one foot in front of the other without them. They are the husbands and wives, the sons and daughters of your neighbors. They are no different than you, other than they are in uniform. They do a job they either love or hate, may have a totally shitty boss or a really great one who understands them, either do something dangerous and terrifying, or as boring as hell and sometimes both in the same day. They are not saints or sinners. They are human beings with all the good and bad points of every other human. They are Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, or couldn't give a damn about politics. They have either a college degree or a GED, trying to get their degree on line, interrupting their lives to do what they promised when they signed that dotted line and raised their right hand. They were told, one weekend a month, two weeks a year, but knew they could be called on for more. And when they were, they went. They may have bitched and complained but they went.

These are the citizen soldiers of the National Guard, and dammit, you WILL be proud of them, you will treat them with respect and caring."

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