Americans enjoy many freedoms that must be protected on a daily basis. The men and women in the armed forces risk their lives to protect the citizens of this country. Civilians who enlist in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force give up their lives so they can be ready to follow any orders, even orders that put them in harm's way, at a moment's notice.
Honoring the fallen and supporting the active
Just about every military service member, past or present, knows a comrade who has fallen in the line of duty. Many civilians know at least one fallen service member. Some people who have lost a loved one in the line of duty might choose to wear Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Army patches as a way to honor the fallen serviceman. Other people might choose to show support for their friends and family members who are actively serving in the military with a commemorative patch.
Choosing to wear military patches is an amazing way to show support for the troops actively fighting to keep the country safe and to honor those who have sacrificed it all for their country.
From enlistment to training
Young men and women who enlist in the military get their first assignment as soon as they sign their name on the dotted line. They report to duty before they get their first paycheck. They make the decision to leave home. For some, this is their first extended time away from home. They report to boot camp to get yelled at, taught how to have military bearing in all situations, and trained to do the duties they have graciously volunteered to do. They know that once they get done with training, a world of battlefields and fallen comrades might be in their future.
Beyond training
When the end of training is near, new billets are handed out. These can include orders to remain stateside or orders to head out on a deployment overseas. During times of war and conflict, orders to deploy are often met with trepidation. While the service member knows that having to go into an active conflict or war zone is possible, finding out that they actually have to report there is enough to make experienced service members wonder what they got themselves into.
