Sir: I would like to take this opportunity to honor those who have served and continue to serve through our armed forces:

To those who serve and have served, I salute you.

To those who have taken the pledge to defend our constitution, I salute you.

To those who have completed the rigorous training, who have stayed the course and made the grade, I salute you.

To those who stood lonely nights on watch, I salute you.

To those who have received the "call out order," who bid farewell to families and friends, I salute you.

To those who have mourned the loss of comrades, and have yet endured, I salute you.