Ὦ ξεῖν', ἀγγέλλειν Λακεδαιμονίοις ὅτι τῇδε
κείμεθα, τοῖς κείνων ῥήμασι πειθόμενοι.

"Stranger passing by, tell the Lakadaimonians that
We stand here yet, obedient to their word."

Simonides memorial to the Spartan dead at Thermopylae.
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"From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember'd; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition: And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall think themselves accursed they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day"

Henry V before the battle of Agincourt (by Shakespeare)
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These two memorials to heroes of the past apply equally well to heroes of the present. Those who fight today are just as heroic, and just as human, as those praised and memorialized in literature and theater. Whether we agree or disagree with their mission, their bravery in doing their job for us is to be praised.

On this Veterans' Day, our Brotherly Love extends to the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces.