I don't honestly care whether you are "pro war" or "anti-war" today. Take a moment, and thank God you live in a country where young men and women voluntarily surrender part of their liberty, that yours might never been taken from you by force. Thank God that, caricatures of some on the extremes of left and right notwithstanding, the most powerful military the world has ever known is firmly under the control of democratically chosen leaders. Thank God that the nation had the stomach and the wherewithal in 1861 to fight and persevere in a war that led to the destruction of slavery, and that people who prefered peace to fighting nevertheless destroyed European totalitarianism and Japanese imperialism.

Say a prayer, then, for those today under arms, that they may not need to fight. But should a battle come, that they will be ready, and victorious. In particular, please keep in your prayers Maj. Chris Holmes, USAF, LT (jg) David Collins, USN, LT Doug Atkins, USCG, and LT Oliver Grant, USA.