Happy Independence Day.

We hope you enjoy the fireworks.

We hope you enjoy the parade.

But we hope you also honor and remember the troops serving in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on this holiday.

It is hard to be away from home on a holiday. While we celebrate, they sweat and toil in the deserts and mountains of far-away lands.

Americans cherish their independence, but it comes thanks to the fighting forces, from the rag-tag band of men at Lexington, Mass., to the mass-fighting force that stormed the beaches of Normandy. In this day of guerrilla wars &8212; where the enemy isn&8217;t clear, the mission is unpopular at home, the politicians have their hands deep in the generals&8217; plans &8212; the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in doing their duty in the interest of their county.

That is valor. God bless them. We hope they return home safely and soon.