It strikes me today, as we pause to remember the military fallen, can we ever honor them enough? These are the heroes who signed up, or who were called up, knowing duty and honor could very well lead to the ultimate sacrifice. And yet they still marched forward in battle, in the name of freedom.

I think often of their families. And, how memorial day is one day a year for the rest of us. But everyday is Memorial Day for them without their loved one.

I think about the wives, children and parents I've profiled over the years, who have lost their loved ones in service.

And even though I'm someone who is paid to put into words what so many of us feel... this is one of those times my words fall so short.

All I can say is "thank you" and "god bless" to the military fallen, and to their families who go on, day after day without them.

These are the true heroes of our lifetimes.

May all of us who are able, enjoy the holiday with loved ones and pray for those who can not.

Thank you to our fallen.

Posted by: Robin Meade
Filed under: Salute to Troops

This salute is from Vanessa Chatman to her son Airman First Class Andrae Chatman, U.S. AIRFORCE. We met A1C Chatman and his Mom Vanessa at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International airport where Andrae was returning from training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio,Texas. He just turned 19 years old.

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Filed under: Air Force • Salute to Troops

This salute is from Lakeyia Thompson to her boyfriend Airman First Class Jason Angel Lugo.

I want to salute a very special man in my life because he takes pride in what he does and he loves it. I want him to know that his family loves him and we would not trade him for the world. He takes on the hardest job out there and still manages to come home with a smile on his face after working a twelve to thirteen hour shift. If I could say one thing about him that would be: he is special. His son looks up to him and we love him very much.

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Filed under: Air Force • Salute to Troops

This salute is from Heather Ospina to her husband Staff Sergeant Chris Ospina, U.S. Air Force.

I'm saluting my husband, Staff Sergeant Chris Ospina, of the United States Air Force. He [deployed] to Iraq on May 15th. This is his third deployment to the Middle East in four years. He has missed many special moments in the last four years, like the birth of our second son, and we are truly grateful for his enormous sacrifice to our family. He will also be celebrating his 28th birthday nine days after he leaves, and we want to wish him a very happy birthday! We wish all of our troops a safe return home!

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This salute is from Lieutenant Julie Brillhart to her husband Chief Warrant Officer 2 Brian Brillhart, U.S. Army.

Hello. My name is Lieutenant Julie Brillhart and I would like to salute my husband, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Brian Brillhart of the United States Army. He is currently serving in Afghanistan with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, Colorado. I want to tell the world about my wonderful husband, Brian, and our kids, Ashley, Alex, Michael, Jasmine and Gavin. Our family is a dual military family, meaning both Mom and Dad are in the Army. Between his deployments and our professional schools we have not lived together for 31 months and have only seen each other 7 times. Fortunately, when my husband returns our family will, once again, be complete. Brian is a dedicated Soldier, Father, and Husband. I could not be more proud of him and the sacrifices he has made to protect our country. Even with the separation of thousands of miles, Brian has not failed to encourage our children and tell them he loves them as often as possible. He asks the kids how they are doing, he consoles them when they cry and laughs with them when they are happy. To me he has not been just a husband, he has been my mentor, my coach and my best friend. When I was gone for almost a year Brain was a first time single father to our kids, and as long as he didn't cook, the kids were taken care of well and loved in my absence. Our kids deserve to be saluted for their sacrifice. It is very hard to have both parents in the Military, much less having one parent always gone for the last 31 months. We could be not be [more proud] of how our children have handled the stress of our family's separation! The good news is, is that with Brian's return our family will, hopefully, be together for the next 18 months and we could not ask for a more precious gift. Our whole family would agree, that while the Army life may be difficult, our country is worth the sacrifice!

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Filed under: Army • Salute to Troops

This salute is from Troy Furman to his son Specialist Nick Furman, U.S. Army.

Nick is an Army Specialist. He is stationed at FT Hood in Killeen, Texas. He is a Cavalry Scout assigned to the 1-9 Cav. C troop. He served in Iraq from Jun 08 – Jun 09. During his break in Nov 08, he met his future bride, Sheila. He proposed to her and returned to Iraq the first week of Dec 08. On his return home from Iraq, he and Sheila were married. I want to tell Nicolas how proud his mother and I are of him for his service and sacrifice. Although Sheila was not willing to step in front of the camera too many times, I still think she is a stunning little mother. She is all of 5' 1', while Nick is about 6' 4', quite cute together.

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This salute is from Kala Sessum to her son Corporal Timothy Longoria, U.S. Marine Corps.

Tim is the older of my two boys. He made the decision at the age of 16 that he wanted to be a member of the Marine Corps. His father and I supported him in this decision, and we signed the necessary consent forms for him to enter the delayed entry program. Just nine days after graduating from high school two years later, Tim headed off to boot camp at MCRD San Diego. I sent him to the Marine Corps as a boy, and the Marine Corps loaned him back to me as a man. Tim has never ceased to amaze me or make me proud. He serves his country honorably and proudly. Tim has now served two deployments to Afghanistan. He turned 21 this past January. Less than a week ago, he returned from his second deployment. I can't wait for him to get leave to come home so I can give him the tightest hug I could ever give him. Although I told him many times through out his deployment, I want to look my son in the eyes and tell him how proud he makes me. Tim is the most awesome son to me and his dad and the best big brother to his brother, John. I thank God each day for allowing me the blessing of being his Mom.

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Filed under: Uncategorized

This salute is from Samantha Etzweiler to her husband Staff Sergeant Bradley Etzweiler, U.S. Marine Corps.

I would like to salute my husband, Staff Sergeant Bradley Etzweiler of the USMC. He is the most amazing man I know. At only 25 years of age, he has completed two tours in Iraq, spent a year in Morocco, a year in Cuba, and a year in Pakistan. Currently he works at the Pentagon on the security forces team for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Not only is he a full-time marine, but also a full-time online college student, working towards a bachelor's in criminal justice with a concentration on counter terrorism. Brad always used to say that he was married to the Marine Corps, until I came along! He is the new father of a 10 week old beautiful baby girl, although he can be more of a child than her! We have almost been married for a year now, only because we had to move our wedding date up to ensure that he would still be in the country! Even just being with him for one day, makes waiting through an entire deployment completely worth it. I can not even describe how proud he makes me to be a military wife.

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This salute is from SGT. Jason Bowman, U.S. Army to his son SPC. Adam Bowman, U.S. Army.

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This salute is from Becky Busch to her boyfriend Sergeant First Class Kirk Liljestrom, U.S. Army.

My name is Becky Busch and this salute goes out to my amazing boyfriend Sergeant First Class Kirk Liljestrom who is with the Army Reserve’s 317th Engineer Company. Kirk was previously deployed for a year to Afghanistan and has been serving our country in Iraq now since last November.

His constant love, support, concern and humor are the things that have gotten me and the kids through this deployment, which has been hard on all of us.

We are so proud of him and want to thank him for teaching us what true patriotism means. Never again will I take my freedom for granted.

We can’t wait until he comes home safe to us soon. We love and miss him so much!

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