In honor of Veterans' Day, we salute you Published Nov. 11, 2006 By Carolyn Lyon U.S.Air Force Force Protection Battlelab LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- Dear Veterans, Another year has passed and I want you to know you are not forgotten -- you who gave of yourself, dutifully and honorably, in the service of our country, our United States of America, land of the free and home of the brave. How true those words are. And how we take for granted this freedom we enjoy, all because you, each and every one of you, stood up for a cause -- the cause of protecting and defending the freedom your families and loved ones, your fellow Americans could enjoy. We salute the bravery and courage you displayed through all the battles, conflicts, insurrections and wars in all parts of the world, far away places, in years past and still to this very day are memories charred in your minds. Know that you have left an indelible mark on the hearts of many and we pay tribute to you this day, your day, a day to be proud that we are citizens of a nation made great by the sacrifices and dedication of all our military personnel. We salute your commitment to our nation and we thank you. Some of you walk among us -- heroes -- in our workplaces, as family members, others chance meetings, some whole in body, but ravaged and war-torn with anguish and haunted by memories, and tormented in mind and spirit, yet others of you living your lives lying in beds in VA medical centers, some sentenced to lives in wheelchairs, some openly bearing your battle-scarred bodies, and missing limbs of your once-whole bodies, still striving to go on for the sake of your families. We applaud your steadfast courage and we thank you. Some of you lie at eternal rest and peace in national cemeteries which will be decorated in your honor with flags and wreaths of red, white, and blue. Monuments of stone lay tribute to you veterans, you courageous men and women, so we can be reminded visually of your sacrifices. Some of you lie buried in some unknown site in a distant land, missing for years, not having been brought back to your native homeland where your earned respect could be paid you and acknowledged. We regret with heavy hearts the feeling of helpless and we thank you. Today's innocent youth, our children and grandchildren, live with the threat of terrorism, a fear which eluded our own childhoods, an evil trying to consume the freedom we all cherished so openly and for which you fought, and still fight, and gave and continue to give so much of yourselves to preserve, some giving the ultimate sacrifice. We offer our prayers, our tears, and our thanks to you. Your unwavering faith in your beliefs, your perseverance, your dedication to duty, honor, and patriotism to your country and your concern for your fellow comrades-in-arms, departures and deployments, long separations from families, hostile and unsavory living conditions, tears, sorrow, unending prayers, hope-filled hearts, all longing for the joyful homecoming.. Day is done, dear Veteran. The bugle sounds, "Taps" play. We will never forget you. Signed, A Grateful American