Appreciating What We Have

Returning from a deployment to Afghanistan is a deep lesson in appreciation. For one thing, I often reflect on my friends and fellow soldiers who returned to be buried here at home. While I am sad at our loss, and my heart especially goes out their families, I understand and appreciate that they lost their lives serving our nation. I hope (and pray) that we beat our swords into ploughshares (soon and in my lifetime), but until then I am proud to have served with real American heroes. It is good to be back home.