Reflections On Our Military

While I have friends that have served, both in the active military and in the National Guard, it's not something that is part of my every day life. So when Fox Sports Midwest started advertising their "This One's For You" game, coming up tonight when the Cardinals take on the Brewers, it gave me an opportunity to really reflect on what that service really means.

Don't expect anything too deep, of course. Still, thinking through the cliches is something that needs to be done at times. 

The sacrifice that these men and women make is mind-boggling, when you think about the return. Even at the least, they spend so much time away from their family and friends, going to foreign lands, both relatively safe and highly dangerous. Even when they are in the United States, training can keep them away from the ones they love as well. I know how much looking forward to going home to see my wife and kids at the end of the day means, so to be away from them for so long would be devastating. 

Which, of course, doesn't even begin to factor in the deadly peril that they go through so often. How do they make the rounds in Iraq, knowing that just driving down the road could be the last thing that they do? Just the regular, everyday routine carries the undertone of finality to it. 

And why? Why do they do this? For people that they love, but also for people that they never will meet. 

When you think about what we do, what we complain about, why can we do that? Because so many someones are willing to sacrifice all that they have to make sure we have that freedom. I spend time on this website talking about the Cardinals, getting worked up about who bats second and what aged veteran gets picked up. And yet, when you really look at it, what does it matter? We have the freedom to get worked up on the minor details of life because we've got these men and women taking care of the big stuff. 

So, to all of those that have served and to all of those that serve now, to those at home and those abroad, we send you our respect and gratitude. Enjoy the game tonight and thank you for all that you do.