HEART to HEART
A Tribute to the American Soldier
John 15:13 Greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends…
There are moments in life when words seem too small to express the gratitude that fills our hearts. This is one of those moments. This is my humble tribute to the American soldier—the men and women who answered a calling that I never did, yet have always admired with the deepest respect.
I have always considered myself a patriot. I love this country with all my heart. Although I never felt called to serve in the military, I have often wondered what that life would have been like. Would I have excelled? Would I have had the courage, discipline, and strength to meet the challenges our service members face every day? I honestly don’t know. What I do know is that those who raised their right hand and took that oath earned a respect that can never be measured.
Their commitment goes far beyond wearing a uniform. It means putting duty before comfort, country before self, and service before personal gain. It means leaving families behind, missing birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and precious moments that can never be replaced. It means accepting hardships most of us will never fully understand. And for far too many, it meant giving the ultimate sacrifice so that the rest of us could continue living in freedom.
Military service is not simply a job. It is a commitment to something greater than oneself. Every generation has produced brave Americans willing to stand in harm’s way to defend the liberties we often take for granted. Because of them, we enjoy freedoms that millions around the world still long for. We sleep peacefully because someone else has chosen to stand watch.
This tribute is also deeply personal.
My son Josh served our country with honor. My other son, Rich, also answered that call to serve. My brother-in-law, Coy, wore the uniform with pride. My nephew, Justin, became part of that proud tradition of military service. One of my fathers-in-law, Tony Heerbrant, also served our nation. Each of them represents courage, commitment, and love of country. They are part of a long line of Americans who believed that freedom is worth protecting.
Yet as proud as I am of my own family, I know they are only a small part of a much larger story. They stand alongside millions of other American men and women who served faithfully throughout our nation’s history. Some returned home to loving families. Some carried wounds that could be seen and many more that could not. Others never came home at all. Their names are written not only on monuments and memorials but forever in the hearts of a grateful nation.
I often think about my father’s church, where many Air Force servicemen came through its doors over the years. That church became more than just a place of worship—it became a place of comfort, friendship, encouragement, and hope. Many of those airmen became lifelong friends of our family. They laughed together, prayed together, shared meals, and built bonds that lasted a lifetime. Looking back now, I realize what a privilege it was to know so many who quietly served without seeking recognition. They were ordinary people doing extraordinary things simply because they believed it was the right thing to do.
Those memories remind me that behind every uniform is a person. A son or daughter. A husband or wife. A father or mother. A brother or sister. Someone who is loved deeply and missed greatly whenever duty calls them away. Military families serve alongside them, carrying burdens that often go unnoticed. They deserve our gratitude as well.
As Americans, we owe a debt that can never truly be repaid. We can never fully repay those who sacrificed years of their lives, their health, their peace of mind, and, in some cases, their very lives so that future generations could remain free. The freedoms we cherish—the freedom to worship, to speak our minds, to vote, to raise our families, and to pursue our dreams—were preserved by people willing to stand between danger and the rest of us.
That is why I believe we should never forget them. We should teach our children about their sacrifices. We should honor our veterans not only on holidays but every day. We should show respect whenever we see a flag, hear our national anthem, or meet someone who has served. Gratitude should never go out of style.
No nation is perfect, but America has always been worth believing in. It has been defended by generations of brave citizens willing to give everything for ideals greater than themselves. Their courage has allowed this country to endure through wars, hardships, and uncertain times. Because they stood firm, America continues to stand.
My prayer is that we will always remember their sacrifices with humble hearts. May we never take our freedoms for granted. May we never disrespect those who wore the uniform or the flag they proudly defended. May we always choose gratitude over indifference and unity over division.
To every veteran, every active-duty service member, every member of the National Guard and Reserve, and every military family, thank you. Your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed. You have earned the respect and gratitude of generations of Americans, including mine.
May God watch over those who serve today. May He comfort the families who have lost loved ones in service to our nation. May He bless every veteran who has carried the weight of duty. And may He continue to bless the United States of America.
God bless our soldiers.
God bless our veterans.
And God bless America.
Forever under his wings, I love you Dad.
Mike Bowen
From Where I Sit 