In the small Kansas town of Delphos, a Memorial Service is celebrated that mirrors thousands of others across the United States.

It doesn't have the pomp and circumstance of Arlington Cemetery.  There is no President, band, active duty military, or throngs of public to participate.  Just veterans and their families, some who have traveled cross country to pay homage to the brave men and women who served our country.

The first monument at the Delphos Cemetery was put up in 1897, to honor those who served in the Civil War.

In 2002, another monument was erected in honor of our military.

Families and friends were visiting the graves of our fallen countrymen, and as they stood there you could see the stories being told in their honor.

Because of the rain, the service was moved inside.  There were some prayers, a short speech, a color guard, and taps was played.

The speech ended with an email that I've seen circulating around:

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote
It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag, who serves under the Flag.

After the service, a meal was served and old friends reminisced about the past, introduced new family, and continued with that great American spirit of community and acceptance.

This day reminds me to be thankful for our brave service men and women, it motivates me to continue working on this project, it makes me worry for the safety of my friend, who has sacrificed so much himself so he can tell the story of our troops in Iraq.

I watch, hear, and read the stories that are broadcast and printed through our media today.  Great stories of valor that they displayed, and they are a source of hope and courage for our troops serving today...but I can't help wonder...

What will tomorrow bring?  Will we hear more of these stories, or better yet the stories of how our military is helping the Iraq people build a better country, or will we continue to be bombarded with the negativity that oozes from the airwaves?

I hope these words of Lincoln, engraved in the monument at Delphos Cemetery, resonate with our nation.  "We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain."

Freedom isn't free...and neither is reporting from Iraq.  To help offset the costs of independent reporting and filmmaking of our military, please...

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