Tampa Republic

From March 20, 2023 post.

Today marks 20 years since the beginning of the Iraq War.  We salute those men and women who served our nation in uniform and their families and loved ones who worried about them and prayed for them at home.  We remember the American soldiers who did not make it back and are remembered today and missed by their families and loved ones - and those who returned with physical and emotional injuries from this service.  

Those men and women who served did so with dignity and honor - they signed up for service often after 9-11-1 knowing full well that their signature included deployments to far away and dangerous places.  They are the best in us.

Today, many of these Americans are 40, 45 and 50 years old - many times with families and raising children, sometimes not.  Some are married, some are divorced.  Some are moms and dads to 15 year old kids, others aren’t.  Some are still in uniform - others are lawyers, nurses, teachers, doctors, welders, counselors, electricians, cops and firefighters.  But all are in the middle of their life with, I hope, the knowledge that our nation is so proud and deeply appreciative of their service.  

Original source can be found here.