Thanks to a U.S. soldier!

Independence Day in the United States is 04 July. This is a national holiday. What will you, your family or your neighbors to do to celebrate?

Will it make a big neighborhood party, have music playing loud penetrating, serve beer and mixed drinks, get the grill going with some barbecue ribs, steak, chicken, fresh corn on the cob? Does everyone get to eat this delicious dish dinner and the food until they are so full they need to go take a nap? Will you be laughing, telling jokes, drinking too much, jumping in the pool, running inside the house to cool, then repeat the above? The neighborhood that used to live three houses up from me, this would definitely be on stage. They hosted monthly parties.

Hum ... for some strange reason, was never invited to this party (described above) that the neighbor threw for any reason. These neighbors were friendly (both times in four years) when they passed on the street, however, was not included in their little clique. They were my feelings of pain? Not a bit, not even for a moment. I guess I'm a snob, because I looked so flashy for me. I hate that.

Why am I telling you this? I really I have a good reason. As I go now in my new neighborhood, the street and the houses are full of American flags. I only see two houses that have no flags with pride. This is a community of active adults. Sure, people are organizing parties and have a good time. The atmosphere is 100% different here in this neighborhood. Many veterans live here.

Independence Day had a price. Freedom is not free. Who should you and I give thanks for our freedom? We can thank our soldiers. Here are five easy ways to thank our American heroes:

(1). When you see a soldier in uniform at the mall, the grocery store or at an airport, approach him or her and just say, "Thanks." Does this make you uncomfortable? If you do, please, let me say that the more you do, the easier it gets. This will become as natural to you, you will begin the search for the soldiers so they can say, "Thank you for everything you do for me and my family. Thank you for your service to our country."

(2). Welcome home to the troops at the airport. Several universities, local organizations and churches come together and have their own team members who are regularly and welcome the troops. I think it does not matter to a soldier returning from war, even if only for R & R? You are wrong.

(3). Give what you can to the USO. Soldiers license or those who are seeking to deploy the USO at the airport as you travel. Our universal service obligation are the mainstay of the soldiers and their families. You can give thanks for sending packages to troops as well.

(4). If you are flying on commercial airlines and have the luck to be in first class, give up her seat to a soldier in uniform. This is an easy way to give thanks. Heaven knows, they deserve it. Are you aware that some commercial airlines charge to our military, "the excess baggage fees" when they come home on leave or when your spouse is moving to be with them in their new location base?

(5). Write thank you letters to a soldier. If you do not know anyone serving in the military, ask members of his church, the place where you work, or any club to which it belongs and start writing letters. This is very easy to do. An example I can give is this. As a college professor of Psychology, which had each of my students write a letter to a U.S. soldier. Their task was to simply say "thank you" and to tell the soldier why he gave thanks. I did it with several classes for several semesters. I read the letter every day. One semester, I sent the letters to my son in law who was serving in Iraq and asked him to hold a letter for him and give the other letters to the soldiers in his unit. Another semester, I took the cards to the USO at DFW Airport on Christmas Day as more than 400 soldiers deployed in Afghanistan. The USO was waiting for me and I must say, I felt really bad that I had enough letters to all soldiers. I'm sure those receiving the letters were grateful. A soldier of a certain young man named Benjamin was grateful.

The soldiers are sons, daughters, husbands, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and lovers. Some are even grandparents. Their dedication and bravery is commendable. Think of those who have lost their soldiers or friends in a battle to celebrate Freedom Day this year.

Fourth of July is a special day for me because of our men and women in uniform. I am very proud to have relatives who have been or are still serving in the armed forces and former students of mine who have done the same. This article is dedicated to those who bravely gave their lives so that we can live in freedom. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Honoring: Dwain Hall, Scott Woodard, Nathan Roberts, David Hall, Michael Moore, Derek, Charleston, Casey, James, Maurice, Benjamin, Sean, Chris, and Poe. Vietnam Veterans-Huck, Jerry, Justice, and 58,000 +. Bataan Death March Survivor (since 1942), Menander Bocobo.