Remember them and be thankful

Thirteen more Americans died this week in Iraq and/or Afghanistan. That's 13 more families whose Thanksgiving has become a day of grief and whose family gatherings will forever be fractured and wanting.

Add these 13 families to those already having sacrificed a loved one, because of this war without end, and the total is 4,813 families, as of yesterday.

Today I am remembering these warriors and their families. Major Alan Blake Rowe, a man I never knew, was among them. I know, however, he was a daddy, a husband, a son, a friend, a brother and he will be missed today, as always. Thanksgiving is a good day to watch a video tape of him speaking to his family at this link.

Thank you, Major Alan Blake Rowe, and your family - and the other 4,812 families - for what you have given to the rest of us.