It doesn't much matter where you stand with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq where one sentiment is concerned: we owe tremendous gratitude to so many who have served our country on our behalf -- especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

I've been pretty lucky in that regard -- no one in my extended family is in harm's way at the moment and those who were made it home -- but many families have brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers who are right at this moment at risk. We must honor them, too.

This piece tells the story of one woman who knows the concept well. Her father, brothers, husband and sons all have served in various disputes over the years. She has sacrificed plenty over the years. Her youngest son is serving in Iraq as you read this.

It's wonderful to kick off summer with a three-day weekend, but lets first pay homage to so many who have given so much so that we can freely choose to live our lives as we wish. We're so blessed in America, it's easy to take such sacrifices for granted -- but without them, we wouldn't enjoy the incredible freedoms we do.

So Happy Memorial Day... and God bless all who served, and are serving, on our behalf.