For 20 years, we watched them go. 

They were proud to be American service members,

And we were proud to love them.

Our Nation stood proud as they went to avenge the attack on our soil.

We hung yellow ribbons, sang anthems, and waved flags…

As they fought the enemy. 

As they supported the mission. 

As they liberated the oppressed.

For 20 years, our lives became departures and homecomings and new phrases became normal…

Down range.

FRG.

Redeployment.

R&R.

ETA.

The dreaded WIA, MIA, and KIA.

And still, they fought. They supported. They liberated.

For 20 years, our service members went where they were told.

No politics.

No opinions.

Just mission and service as the world became connected and contentious.

And still, they fought. They supported. They liberated.

For 20 years, teams of “quiet professionals” made our country safer without fanfare and hype.

And still, they fought. They supported. They liberated.

For 20 years, we watched them spend half their duty time on foreign soil, missing milestones, dodging landmines—both real and imaginary. Missing birthdays, graduations, life changes, and time with loved ones that will never be recaptured.

And still, they fought. They supported. They liberated.

For 20 years of war, they endured the whims of politicians and Americans “weary” of the thought of war. Other missions forced their way in and took the attention elsewhere leaving them to fight this new “forgotten war.”

And still, they fought, They supported. They liberated.

For 20 years, they watched their own families move on and grow up as their own children joined their ranks and stood with them on foreign soil.

And still, they fought, They supported. They liberated.

For 20 years, death and loss became all too familiar, and families were forever changed. Knocks on doors, folded flags, and far too many 21-gun salutes in Area 60, fallen comrades and broken families.

And still, they fought, They supported. They liberated.

For 20 years, support groups and nonprofits were formed to help the fallen, their loved ones, and those who were left behind in a country on the brink of destruction.

And still, they fought, They supported. They liberated.

For 20 years, only 1% of this great nation volunteered and sacrificed. 

Their families have fought, they have supported, and they’re waiting to be liberated from their exhaustion and heartbreak.

I hope for the next 20 years that the armchair quarterbacks, the keyboard warriors, and the rearview mirror gazers who continue to analyze and criticize the mission and purpose remember the 1% of this nation that had “boots on the ground” and “skin in the game.”

I hope our Nation heals and comes together.

And I further hope:

They fight for the warriors who fought for them,

They support the Gold Star families and the service members needing help for as long as they need it.

They liberate the allies and Americans left behind.

I hope our country has the strength to do this,

For at least the next 20 years.