I want to thank you for your sentiments .
Although I served for eighteen and a half years ,I never got a scratch .I am proud to have worn my adopted country's uniform . I was adopted as a baby . I didn't know about all that till I was a young man . Now , that said . It was with pride I served , and , a sense of duty to the country , and folks like you too . My brother didn't make it out of FALLUJAH , so Yes , there are those families that have lost a loved one .They too , I am sure , thank you for your thoughts . May our flag always fly over this great land . I didn't post till now as I did so much want to help others who served too , and I let the time get away .Bless You . 
Tanker-builder