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For my brother in Iraq, and all those who serve, and have served, with him.

You may not think of yourself as heroes at all. The media, and the people you work for, have both programmed you to think otherwise. They've taught you to believe you're only doing your jobs. But they're wrong. You are heroes. The people and circumstances that put you there may be unpopular. We want you to know when you see this, the reasons for what you do don't matter to us, at all.

We know you freeze and sweat. Flinch and duck every time you hear a loud noise. We know you miss your loved ones, family, friends, kids. That it hurts, and sometimes even brave soldiers like you cry. We know when you finally go to bed at night, you don't sleep well at all. That you're wishing you were home with us, instead. We know we're in your prayers, and dreams. We know that you're afraid, homesick and tired.

No matter how far away you are, we never, ever forget about you. Sure, we e-mail, write, call and send you care packages. We pray that you know how much we care, worry, hope, remember and applaud each and every one of you, from half a world away. But what you don't know is that so many times each day, we stop in the middle of something, wonder what you're doing, and ask God to please just keep you safe. We may have a million things to do, and take care of, but you are always in our hearts and minds. Never doubt that for one single minute.

You probably wonder if anyone understands and appreciates the sacrifices you've made, too. Do we understand it all? The lost moments watching your children grow, holding your loved one's hand, watching a parent grow old? The innocence and wonder about the world you've lost in the ugliness of war? The fear you face, and how it can take your breath away sometimes? The good men and women you've seen fall?

Yes, we do. Maybe we don't know each little thing that you go through each day. And many of them are probably things we'd probably rather not know about, and things that you'd rather not tell us about. But we do know that this will change who you are, and how you think, forever. All we can do is tell you that we respect and applaud your bravery and quiet dignity.
And that we're grateful to you, for simply being brave and strong enough to be there in the first place.

The reason you're there is irrelevant to us here waiting.
All that matters is that you come home safe.

Love you, little brother, and I will see you soon.

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