I'm 50 years old. I felt it necessary to resign my reserve officer's commission (USAR) in 1993 because I had developed a medical condition that I knew made me no longer a deployable asset to the army reserve. There has not a day passed since then that I haven't wished to be "back in the saddle." Especially so after 9-11. I mourn for the families of these men, but I can't help but feel a little envy of the men themselves - along with great admiration. I know that is a strange emotion, but I feel guilty that I am not there. It troubles me that I can't be there to help those those young folks. I understand the paternalistic feelings of these great men.
I thank God for these men, and I pray for His comfort to their families. I wished I could personally give them all a hug and say thank you for your father's, grandfather's service. They did the right thing.
Friends, any time you see a soldier/sailer,airman, marine, etc, regardless of their rank or age. You stop and shake their hadn and praise them for being in uniform. That is the best way I know to honor the dead like these.
You feel guilty because these are your brothers, and you wish you were there to watch their backs.
Thank you, sir, for serving.