AUTHORS NOTE: I am an eight-year Army veteran who served in Desert Shield/Storm. As we near Veteran's Day, may we thank not only the veterans/military themselves, but their families as well. It took me some time to realize the turmoil and stress which those left behind have to struggle with. I wrote this piece as a tribute to the military family. God Bless them, and God Bless our veterans as well as those currently serving:

I am the American Fighting Warrior. I joined my nation's military to protect the interests of my beloved country. I am trained to preserve the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. I am prepared to do whatever it takes to do so -- even if it means giving up my own life.

I am the mother of the American Fighting Warrior. I am proud of my Warrior, as the pictures hanging all over my home suggest. I speak proudly of my Warrior to my friends at the grocery store and the post office. But my Warrior is now in harm's way on the other side of our planet. I am scared for my Warrior -- my husband says I worry too much. He doesn't know that I hear him cry when he thinks no one is around. I just want my baby to come home safe.

I am the father of the American Fighting Warrior. I was on that kid's butt forever to grow up. I must admit that I am happy to see my Warrior mature into someone willing to put his country before himself. I expect nothing less than that my Warrior will do his job well, he will do it safely and he will return home. I tell my wife she worries too much. What she doesn't realize is that she is the stronger of the two of us. I need to be my family's “rock” through this -- but it's hard. I hold back my tears until no one is around. I just want my baby to come home safe.

I am the sister of the American Fighting Warrior. I loved my brother as we both grew up, though I would never admit it. But now I am proud to say I love my Warrior. I cry and worry with my Mom. My Dad gruffly scoffs at us and says we worry too much. But I know Dad better than that -- he is worried sick, just like us. I just want my brother to come home safe.

I am the spouse of the American Fighting Warrior. I was pregnant when he deployed. This is our daughter; she and her daddy have yet to meet. I am scared for my Warrior, I just want him to hold me and tell me everything will be okay. But he's not here, and I feel alone and afraid. But my Warrior and I share our faithfulness to our country and to each other. I just want my sweetie to come home safe.

I am the American Fighting Warrior. I am scared, but I can't tell my family that. I don't want them to worry. I love them and just want to come home safe.

We are the family of the American Fighting Warrior. We are scared, but we can't tell him that. We don't want him to worry. We love him and just want him to come home safe.