Wendy Miller: It only takes a few seconds to thank those serving our country

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, I thought I would share this with others. It's something for all of us to think about, regardless of race, religion, political views; we are all Americans. Please stop for a moment and reflect on what being an American means to you and what it might be like if you were not.

I have always thought I was patriotic. I am very proud to be American and thankful for what I have. Even if it's not much, it's more than many have. I am proud of my relatives who now serve this county, and the ones who have served in the past.

I recently attended the Emmett Cherry Festival with my husband. We had just purchased a new flagpole for our yard and several new flags, three U.S. and four representing the military, so I was feeling especially pleased at the prospect of displaying our patriotism and pride for those family members currently serving.

When we stopped for lunch, we joined another couple at a crowded picnic table. The man said he was newly stationed in the area with his reserve military unit after a tour in Iraq. My husband stood up and reached across the table to shake the man's hand. "Thank you very much for your service," he said. "Without people like you, we wouldn't be able to have what we have or be able to do the things we do."

The man was moved to tears. He told us no one had ever told him thank you for his service and sacrifice. Then he said he wished there were more people like us, who appreciated what they sacrifice, the little things that most people take for granted.

I got to thinking about my family members who are serving our country, two of whom have been to Iraq. Thankfully, both returned home whole and healthy. However, while they were gone, they missed a lot of things. Then I started thinking about what all the things our service men and women miss every day: the big things like the birth of a child, a family member's wedding, a loved one's funeral; the little things like hugs and kisses goodnight, a child's play, graduation, prom, the first day of school, helping with homework or just hanging out watching TV.

Then I thought about all the things many of them have seen - the tragedies, the horrors many can never bring themselves to talk about, the things no one should ever have to see. Think about what witnessing these horrors can do - how it can destroy a person or make them stronger. They have done this for me, for all of us, so that we can have the choice.

I have been told my grandfather arrived in Pearl Harbor shortly after the attack to help with the "clean up." My grandmother says to this day, almost 68 years later, he has not talked about what he saw, but she knows how badly it affected him because he had nightmares for years.

The next time you see a man or woman in military uniform, say "Thank you." It only takes a few seconds out of your life. I've done this myself many times before at gas stations, malls or other places and events, but I never realized until that day at the Cherry Festival just how much that "thank you" could mean to the soldier on the receiving end.

Wendy Miller lives in Emmett.