An Open Letter to All Veterans

          Whether you served in the reserves or on active duty (or both);
          Whether you served on one "tour", on multiple "tours," or as a career military person;
          Whether you were drafted or served on a volunteer basis;
          Whether you served as an enlisted person, in a supervisory position or as a military general;
          Whether you served in World War 11, in Korea, in Vietnam, in the Persian Gulf War, in Iraq, in Afghanistan or in anywhere else;
          Whether your service took place in the air, on our shores, on the ground or anywhere else;
          Whether you are currently wearing the uniform, serving  in the reserves or on active duty;
          Whether, if you are no longer alive, your death is due to being killed in active duty, because of suicide, because of natural causes or any other reason;

           For our freedom to say freely what we believe and to disagree with one another (within the guidelines of respect for others and for the truth), we thank you for your service;
           For our freedom to to select our religious beliefs and adhere to our own convictions (within the guidelines of allowing every other person this same freedom), we thank you for your service;
           For religious freedom without fear of government interference in church affairs, or the fear of fines, imprisonment, or worse, we thank you for your service;
           For our freedom to participate in our democracy, to vote and to choose our own political convictions, we thank you for your service;
           For the freedom to speak about our political beliefs and even to disagree with those in power and to disagree with each other's political convictions (within the guidelines of respect for others and for the truth), we thank you for your service;
           For our freedom to own private property and to pursue our own destines (given the proper support and opportunities), we thank you for your service;
           For our freedom to live quiet lives and to mind our own business without fear of government interference, we thank you for your service;
           For our freedom to make our own choices in our personal lives, we thank you for your service;
           For risking your own freedoms, we thank you for your service;
           For risking your lives, we thank you for your service;
           For enduring separation from your own families, we thank you for your service;

           We can never thank you enough; thank you to all veterans everywhere.

           http://www.va.gov/. This is the official, government-sponsored website for veteran's affairs.
 
           http://thankasoldier.net/ This is a site where citizens can pay tribute to troops.

           http://www.kidsthankavet.com/ This is a site for children to express gratitude to veterans.

           https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thank-a-Veteran/116200178444473 This is a Facebook page set up for citizens to express gratitude to veterans.