TODAY a young father left his family to go off to war.

TODAY a mother kissed her daughter good-bye as she left to serve her country.

TODAY we have an all volunteer military.

and TODAY sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters protect our country.

so that TODAY a mother could see her son off to his first day of college.

so that TODAY another father could be there to see his son play ball.

so that TODAY we all have the right to choose our own future.

TODAY a soldier who chose to serve died so that someone else could live with the freedom to choose not to serve.

TODAY take a moment and say a prayer for those who made the choice so that it could remain a CHOICE.

TODAY support our troops and their families.

because TODAY they need it.