Whatever the reason for any war or conflict – politics, greed, hubris, defense – the real cost and tragedy is in human lives. While we may mourn fallen soldiers collectively, we as citizens rarely know their names or details about their lives. Those unbearably intimate details are reserved for their families, their friends, their brothers and sisters in arms.
Patriotism, a sense of duty, the desire to serve their country, even wishes for a better education and/or lives for their families … many reasons follow ordinary people into military service, where decisions are made far above the rank and file.
Please hold the fallen in your prayers today, and if you know a soldier, sailor, airman, Marine, Coast Guardsman or those serving in any branch of the U.S. military, active or reserve, hold them close if you can and offer a prayer for their safety, that they return (relatively) whole to their families.
Collectively, we are Americans, and one fallen is one too many.
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
Beautiful narrative, TJ. May we always remember and honor those who offered themselves willingly for others, the profound sacrifice they made so we might be free to live life to its fullest measure. Our debt to them is beyond comprehension and on this one day, we should make a point to keep them in our thoughts and be in awe.