To the bravest people in our country,

I remember being a kid. Going to grandma and grandpa's for Christmas, playing all day, and believing that feeling and that day would last forever. Those days feel like a lifetime ago. I don't know when it all happened, but it seems that in a blink of an eye we grew up. It feels like yesterday we would all sit and watch movies without a care and play as much as we could before we had to part ways once again. I don't know where that feeling went. But I do know that I would go back in a heartbeat.

We have chosen drastically different paths. I chose to stay close my schooling, and you chose to get an education that may far exceed my own. You have learned about what it means to have honor, loyalty, courage, and a new found sense of pride for our country. You chose a path that isn't easy, a path that is riddled with obstacles. Like being away from your family, being in a country in which you are the enemy, and not being able to be too emotionally invested in what you do. This is a path not everyone is able to take. But you did. And although we long for your return, your path is an incredible path that will inspire many for years to come.

You have chosen to protect our country and risk your life for everything our country holds dear, and everyone that calls this amazing country home. Your choice is noble, brave, and one of the most courageous things a person could ever do. And for that, I applaud you, along with those who serve along aside you.

I hope you know how proud we all are of you. You have grown into an amazing human being who loves his family, treats everyone kindly, and is brave enough be himself and risk everything to protect his country and his beliefs; and I hope you know that not everyone is capable of doing that.

I also want to thank those who are serving along aside you. Just like you, they have chosen the path less traveled and at times I am sure it couldn't have been easy. But nevertheless, there you all are. Standing tall, standing strong and not backing down. They might not technically be my family, but my heart still reaches out to them. I know what their families are going through and how they feel knowing how far they are from you and not knowing when or if they will ever see you again.

I wish there was a less cliché phrase for thank you or a way we can truly show our gratitude, but hopefully, this letter is a start. You inspire your family, your friends, and everyone who meets you to be a better person. I don't know what this would be like without you. Stay safe.