Freedom and war

I found out today that my brother is heading off to Afganistan again in a few months. My heart is heavy with this news, not just for myself, but for his family. He will be gone for six months from his wife and four children! I wonder at the courage of the men and women who set off and sacrifice so much of themselves for the rest of us. Do we appreciate it? Do we care? Do we even think about it? When I see a bumper sticker or hear a song that reflects the current tide of anti-war, I get angry. Not because I want us to be at war, but I feel angry that instead of showing support for those who are fighting we are spending so much time debating the merits of war. Freedom is not free and someone has to protect us. To all the soldiers out there who leave their family and friends to protect my family and friends...thank you. A million times thank you and it will never be enough. We can't afford to be apathetic or anti-war. If we want to hold onto the freedoms we enjoy we need to care.