To all the fathers, mothers, or beloved friends;

To all the brothers, husbands, wives, and cousins;

To the Marines, Army, Navy, and Air Guard;

To the Private, the Sergeant, the Colonel, and the General;

To those fighting overseas, across the country, or right next door;

To those who have fallen;

Thank you for your service.

You made a selfless decision. You dedicated your life, time, and body for the greater good of the country. You agreed to spend weeks, months, or even years away from your own family and friends so that the rest of us can sleep peacefully at night. You missed your daughter's first birthday, your son's first steps, and your best friend's funeral.

You didn't complain.

You eagerly awaited letters from loved ones and endured yelling, endless push ups, and cramped quarters. You ate food out of a bag, got dirty, worked overtime with no extra pay. You obeyed orders, made life or death decisions, and spent holidays away from your family.

You didn't complain.

You watched your friend take his last breath, saw a young child taken too soon, and another soldier lose his leg.

You cried, but you didn't complain.

You came home emotionally damaged and scarred, with no one else possibly understanding what you went through. You relived the nightmares every night in your sleep.

You didn't complain.

You listened to those around you complain about their relationships, social lives, and appearance. You watched the news as it focused on the stories of the transgender bathroom debate, the presidential campaign scandals, the celebrity gossip. You watched the news as it failed to mention the latest bombing overseas, the death of ten soldiers, the violence taking place in the rest of the world as America remained self-absorbed in its petty problems.

You didn't complain.

You saw Hollywood use the war as a way to make billions of dollars in blockbuster films. You saw millions of Americans buy tickets to them and leave convinced they knew exactly what it was like to be in the middle of a war zone. You noted that most people had no problem spending $10 on a ticket but couldn't fathom donating to an organization for veterans.

You didn't complain.

You saw Americans celebrating Memorial Day simply because they didn't have to go to work or school, not grasping the significance behind the day. You saw people burn the American flag, refuse to say the Pledge of Allegiance, and text during the National Anthem.

You didn't complain.

Even through the pain, tears, and disrespect, you still dedicate your life to the American people everyday.

And you don't complain.

To everyone who has served, is still serving, or lost their life serving, thank you.

This article was inspired in part by my little brother, Parker, who left for basic training at Lackland Air Force Base this past week.