"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." - Joseph Campbell

Thank you for giving up your Thanksgiving dinner with your family. Thank you for giving your time away from home, so I can enjoy mine. I take for granted dinners at home with my family, my free time to do what I please, and the ability to sleep in my own bed every night. I take for granted these things that you gave up to protect me. You do not know me, but I am beyond thankful for you.

This Thanksgiving I give all my thanks to you. Every day I am thankful for you and all you have done to make sure those of this country are safe. I hope this Thanksgiving you know how appreciated you are. I wish for your safety and that you may return to your family.

This Thanksgiving I send my love to your family, as they leave an empty space at the table where you should be. I am thankful for your family for giving up time with their loved one so you can work to keep my family safe. I thank your family for supporting you in this tough work you do. I am thankful they share you and your time with all the families of this country.

Thank you for putting your life on the line. Thank you for giving up a hot homemade meal and time spent with your loved ones. Thank you for working long days and nights. Thank you for giving up your safety to protect mine. I am thankful for your bravery and courage, to face the dangers in order to protect others. You risk your lives to make this country and world a better place. You sacrifice all your time to protect and save lives of people you do not even know. You risk your life to ensure the protection of others' lives. I am thankful for the day to day sacrifices you make.

Other than this Thanksgiving meal, you miss many other things. You may miss your kids' ball game. You may miss your mom's birthday party. You might miss Father's Day or Mother's Day, your baby's first steps or your sibling's school play. You miss all of these things so my family, and other families, can enjoy these days safely.

This Thanksgiving I pray for you and your family. This Thanksgiving I will cherish my family more. I will never take for granted the things I did before. When I eat this Thanksgiving I will think of you. More than anything, I hope this Thanksgiving, when you are missing your family, that you know that my heart is with you and everything you do. I hope you know your community, state, and country is thankful for you.

You may not know me, but I am thankful for all you do.