I will leave my usual humorous tone aside today, in honor of all the men and women in the military, both past and present. This is a day of reflection and thanks to all who have served and their families who have served along with them. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and from my children and their children to be. For those whot feel a need to let a soldier know they care, please come on over to Soldiers’ Angels or Soldiers’ Angels Louisiana and pay it forward today! Hooah! Below is a post I got in my in-box & have edited it as I saw fit.

WELL SAID
You stay up for 16 hours.
The soldier stays up for days on end.

You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
The soldier goes days or weeks without running water.

You complain of a ‘headache’, and call in sick.
The soldier gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.

You put on your anti war/don’t support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.
The soldier still fights for your right to wear that shirt.

You make sure you’re cell phone is in your pocket.
The soldier clutches the cross or religious charm hanging on their chain next to their dog tags.

You talk trash about your ‘buddies’ that aren’t with you.
The soldier knows that he or she may not see some of their buddies again.

You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls or handsome guys.
The soldier patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.

You complain about how hot it is.
The soldier wears their heavy gear, not daring to take off their helmet to wipe their brow.

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
The soldier doesn’t get to eat today.

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
The soldier wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure their weapons are clean.

You go to the mall and get your hair done.
The soldier doesn’t have time to brush their teeth today.

You’re angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
The soldier is told they will be held over an extra 2 months.

You call your girlfriend or boyfriend and set a date for tonight.
The soldier waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.

You hug and kiss your boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse like you do everyday.
The soldier holds their letter close and smells their love’s perfume or cologne.

You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they’ll ever meet. She keeps a picture of hers under her helmet.

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
The soldier sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he or she is fighting.

You hear the jokes about the war, and laugh about them.
The soldier hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.

You see only what the media wants you to see.
The soldier sees the broken bodies lying around them.

You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don’t.
The soldier does exactly what he or she is told even if it puts their life in danger.

You stay at home and watch TV.
The soldier takes whatever time he or she is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.

You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.
The soldier tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long.

(c/p at NOLA.com)