Proud to be an American

I am proud to be an American. I am sure that we have all said this, but have you really given thought to what it means to make this statement?
While Nathan was preparing to deploy we talked a lot about the support that we were feeling from our family and friends. We could not ask for a better support system of our family and friends, we know we can make it through this time of him being gone with all of our family and friends behind us. However, when we were in the states before we left last summer, and even some here, when we would talk about Afghanistan we would hear people talking about it like there were no Americans there, like they had forgotten that it is still a war zone. We would also hear from people who are so against our President or against war that they did not support our soldiers wherever they may be deployed to. It was one of these remarks that made me start writing this post today. I wish I could show every one of those people the sacrifices that our men and women are making, not because they want to but because it is what was asked of them. And to remind those people that the reason that they have the freedom to make such remarks was because of the ultimate sacrifice that soldiers made for our country. I really do not care about what people think about the war or the President or any politics for that matter I just ask that people remember that there are still soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, remember Afghanistan is still considered a war zone, that soldiers are still dying in Iraq although its no longer deemed a war zone, and remember who protects your freedoms. 
I am proud of my soldier. I am proud of the Army. I am proud of all the American military forces. I am proud to fly the flag. I am proud to put my hand over my heart for the National Anthem. I am proud to be an American.