Proud American

As a proud American, I want to take a moment to salute the brave men and women who serve our flag domestically and in foreign theatres of war. They serve their country with honor and valor, risking their lives for our freedom and security. They leave home behind for far-off lands and unknown territories, facing daily danger and uncertainty. They often have to make split-second decisions that leave many traumatically wounded psychologically and physically. They endure hardships and sacrifices that most of us can only imagine.

Returning home, they face another challenge: assimilating into civilian life. They have to cope with the effects of their experiences, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and more. They have to find new jobs, new homes, and new communities. They have to reconnect with their families, friends, and loved ones. They have to adjust to a new reality that they may not understand or appreciate what they have been through.

As a nation, we owe them our gratitude, respect, and support. We must honor their service and their sacrifice. We must provide them with the resources and the opportunities they need to heal and thrive. We must listen to their stories and learn from their wisdom. We must never forget what they have done for us.

We must also be mindful of the reasons why we send them into harm's way. War is terrible and should only be waged for the utmost importance of causes. We must not take lightly the decision to use military force nor the consequences that follow. We must weigh the costs and benefits carefully and seek peaceful alternatives whenever possible. We must respect the sovereignty and dignity of other nations and work together to solve global problems.

We are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We are stronger when we stand together, support each other, and value each other. We are the United States of America and proud of our troops, at home and abroad.