We all have sadly been reminded once again of the enormous value of the young men and women who serve in the U.S. military.
Especially because we live in San Diego where the military is an important part of our community and the military is part of us.
We have more military bases in San Diego than any other city and hundreds of thousands of active duty and retired military.
As the commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing put it in his statement this morning, “Though we understand the inherent risks of military service, any loss of life is always difficult.”
The loss of those five people aboard the Marine helicopter that crashed in our local mountains during a winter storm Tuesday night hits us all hard because we live each day seeing and knowing many of those who have volunteered to serve their country in the military.
And as proud as the families of those in the military are of their spouses, sons and daughters, moms and dads, when something like this happens, their hearts are hurting.
Even when members of the military die far off in battle as those three soldiers did in the Middle East nearly two weeks ago when they were attacked, we are struck by how special those who serve are.
When it happens in your own backyard, it really can hit home.
So today would be a good day to thank someone you know who willingly risks their life every day to serve others and their country.
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