Andrea and LL —  I read an article in the paper - Matt Towery (Creators Syndicate)  Since the article was very long I am going to take just a few of his remarks.

"As thousands of people filled a huge arena in Los Angeles last week, and many more were glued to their television sets; as accolades unlimited were spoken about the late "king of pop" my mind was on seven other Americans and how they should be honored.  You see on July 6, seven American troops were killed in Afghanistan. 

Their bodies would, no doubt, be shipped back to our nation in those standard military coffins.  The American flags draping these simple containers would be the sole hope for added color, grandeur or beauty.  The coffins would have no stately gold or magnificant silk to hold their precious remains.  It is likely that no lottery will be necessary to gain tickets to their respective funerals or memorial services.  No one will offer up a thin dime on eBay or Craigslist to have the honor of peing present when the soldier’s families and friends gather to remember their fallen loved ones.

I doubt many celebrities will be present at any of these services.  The Rev Al Sharpton will have moved on to his next gig.  There will be no repeated special TV broadcasts about the acts of bravery and heroism these soldiers performed as they fought to keep our nation from having to again encounter firsthand an organization active in Afghanistan and Pakistan that would, if given the chance, act to topple another American building.  Entertainment Tonight won’t cover these deaths because, hey, they aren’t entertaining.

These seven Americans symbolize the very best of our nation.  They symbolize honor, bravery and sacrifice.  They represent greatness. So, with my own "ticket" in hand I can try to do them justice.  I will mount my own platform and speak for the many who I know would join me. 

Thank you to the fallen warriors.  Thank you for dying for me and for every other American.  Thank you to their families who knew you were in harms way, performing heroic tasks that really mean something.  Tasks that might decide in years to come whether passengers on some airplane, or workers in some high rise will live or die.

No, there will likely be no JumboTrons at the final services for these fallen soldiers.  The last music that their loving families and friends will hear will be the simple melody of "Taps".  And, then the hero’s closest relatives will be handed that beautiful flag.  No, it won’t equal gold and flowers for a king.  But it will be all this nation can offer to heros.  If you ask me, I’d rather have the flag."

All I can say is thank you Matt Towery!