Two of the most powerful words in any language are "THANK YOU." No group of people more richly deserve those simple, heartfelt words of appreciation more than those of you have who served in our armed forces, and those of you who are still standing watch this very minute.

You came from all over the country and too many times are taken for granted. You have been vigilant during times of war and peace, on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You spent countless holidays, birthdays, and special events away from your families and friends so that we could spend it with ours, without fear.

You are grandparents, fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, cousins, and friends. We may not always agree with the wars and battles that you fought, but this should never deter us or limit the support we give to each of you. It is through the sacrifice that you and the numerous individuals who came before you have made that provides us with the freedoms we all are blessed to experience yet so often take for granted. To the families who have lost loved ones, we offer our deepest condolences. Many of us have never endured the pain you must feel, but our hearts hurt for you nonetheless. Let us never forget the veterans who did not make it home and remember those still serving in our prayers.