It's heartwarming to see the responses of my fellow "Patriots" in remembrance of D-Day.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:of... />

As a former soldier, I can tell you that no one serves for excitement, or glory, or fame. You fight for the guy next to you and because it is the right thing to do. Simple as that. In the end all you really hope for is to get through it, to do your duty, and earn the respect of you fellow soldiers.

One of the best books I've read recently that explains this is the memoirs of Major Dick Winters. Major Winters was the commander of Easy Company, the unit that HBO made the special "Band of Brothers" about.

Next time you are at the mall and you see the old guy sitting on the bench wearing the US Army Retired hat, or the color guard from the VFW at the local parade, take a second to talk to them and tell them "thank you". Rhetoric on a forum is wonderful, but looking that veteran in the eye and shaking their hand is priceless.