A very close buddy I haven't seen in quite a while just now called. His youngest son, a Marine sniper in Iraq, was killed...great 22 year old kid - very smart and a gifted athlete. Damn it anyway.

This may not be a new post but it fits right now...don't look if it might offend.

"It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press."

"It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech."

"It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate."

"It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."