I was born here and will probably die here. I have lived my life free of much thought of the government. I am FREE! I didn't vote and got tired of saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Never thought of what any of the songs meant and so on. Never wanted to date a military man. But met one, fell head over heels and married him. In dating him, I realized what those songs meant, to support and have pride for your country, and not because he said so but because of the life he lived and showed me. It reminded me of the reason we are free! I found patriotism in myself. I reg. to vote, I stand strong and salute the flag. I think of those who are away and those who died for us. Not just names but the life they lived. The ones they left to deploy, the lonely nights overseas, the tired, dirty faces. The dirty jokes that kept them going and laughing when times were hardest. The fights with their lovers over the phone or by mail. The images in their head, the friends lost. The person they are or were outside the military. I think of each one of you and I tear up. I love each one of you for doing what you do, for whatever reason you had. I wish you HOME safely. You may feel alone but there are others crying for you when you can't. Thank you and I salute you!My man is out there with you too and I love him and wish him home safely also!Born...D