Overshadowed in the rush of political stories that inevitably flooded your newsfeed over the last couple of weeks was a holiday that I feel does not receive the attention it deserves: Veteran's Day. Granted, the unprecedented nature of recent events no doubt influenced this, but what we did in forgetting this undermined something vitally important to our country's culture, whether we accept that or not.

America was founded in blood. Through the men and women that were willing to lay their lives on the line, America won its freedom. Those same men and women have defended this nation without fail for 238 years. One day a year to recognize the millions that have given their lives for us is simply not enough.

Many have raised an issue with the causes our military has been utilized for in recent memory. The "War on Terror" and America's role as the global police have given rise to questioning if our freedoms are truly being challenged. While there are valid points on both sides of these issues, I find that regardless of the outcomes of said conflicts, we must stand by our servicemen and women. Soldiers do not get to choose what orders they are given. They are not to be held accountable, but the men and women that give them should be. The protest and vitriol that is directed towards those that could have given their lives to protect ours are disgusting.

I'm reminded of a quote: "We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would harm us" (Edmund Burke). The men and women that stand by, ready to make the ultimate sacrifice, are deserving of our utmost respect and honor. In this season of thanks, find time to thank those "rough men," because, without them, we'd be nothing.