As Americans across this nation sit down for our annual Thanksgiving feast this week, we give thanks for so many things. Family, friends, and food. Health, safety, and prosperity.

Let’s not forget to give thanks for our veterans, our military, and their families.

Much of the things for which we are so thankful may not have been possible if the United States didn’t have the freedom it has enjoyed for more than two centuries. Members of the U.S. military – our heroes, past and present, fought to preserve that freedom. Their families went without their loved ones who bravely served this nation – sometimes for long periods at a time.

Let’s not forget our fallen servicemembers, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of America and its principles. We can never forget the loss of life in the name of service and duty to one’s nation and its people. Because of those ultimate sacrifices, there are families today with at least one less loved one at their dinner tables.

Also, let’s not forget those who didn’t make it home when they served abroad. There are more than 80,000 servicemembers categorized as either Prisoners of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA).

This Thanksgiving, let every blessing we bestow upon our family and friends gathered around our dinner tables also be bestowed upon our veterans, our military, and their families.

If there’s a way we can show our appreciation by helping veterans, military personnel, and their families any time, let’s do that also. There’s no need to wait until the fourth Thursday of November. Any day can be a day for giving thanks.