I must confess, there's nothing more beautiful than "Old Glory" waving in the wind in all her splendor.

How can you not love a flag in which every band of red, white and blue, as well as the stars for each of our 50 states, represents the liberties we all hold so dearly?

Having the opportunity to look at our flag is something that I've taken a liking to, after all one of the first things we learn at school is how to say our nation's "Pledge of Allegiance." No matter where "Old Glory" is, please believe I'll do my best to spot her.

She's seen it all; America's ups and downs, the infant stages and eventually its rise to prominence on the world stage. The names and faces have changed, presidents and central society figures have come and gone; but only one thing has remained, our flag.

The first vision I think of when referring to the banner all of us hold so close to our hearts is that found in Emanuel Leutze's 1851 painting, "Washington Crossing the Delaware." Though not necessarily accurate in the eyes of some historians, the painting is a picture of the American spirit - standing up for the flag and what it represents, refusing to quit no matter the odds and staying true to the pledge to fight for every U.S. citizen, even if it costs them their life.

Growing up a military brat, I didn't quite understand at the time the dangers associated with being a serviceman or woman. It was something I got used to everyday, seeing my father, uncle or cousins suit up in their uniforms, each of which was without a wrinkle and shoes so clean you were tempted to eat off of them.

Luckily, my father was never deployed to a war zone, only spending a few years away from my family for a tour of duty in Seoul, South Korea. However, my uncle Albert, now retired after 20+ years in the U.S. Marines, served during our nation's first foray into Iraq during operations Desert Storm and Shield in the early 1990s. His son, Albert Jr., for 16 years a member of the U.S. Air Force has been deployed to Iraq twice, and will make his way to the Middle East next week.

Of course, we as humans have a tendency to think the worst, but for the military family it is par for the course. Upon arrival at their new "home," the countdown has already started to the next move, some of which may not include the serviceman or woman bringing their loved ones for the journey - a trip they may not return from.

However, I've come to learn over the years is that these men and women believe it is their calling to stand up for America, and if it means putting life and limb on the line, for liberty's sake they'll die 100 times as long as this country is still standing tall.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to speak with Lance Cpl. Chris Fowlkes shortly after he finished basic training at Parris Island to become a Marine. Continuing the family tradition in becoming a "Devil Dog," he was more than proud to be part of the elite fraternity, one whose proud motto says its members are "the first in, and last out." I still remember my final question, asking what his feelings were in regard to the possibility of being deployed to a war zone overseas.

"I'm happy to have the possibility of going to Iraq or another war zone," Fowlkes said at the time. "It is a personal responsibility to fight for the freedoms we as Americans enjoy."

Though we never spoke again, those words will be my lasting memory of Chris, living not with personal goals in mind, instead putting the interests of America first.

In my opinion, there is not a bigger sacrifice than the one this young man paid for his country.

Most of the names and faces may look strange, but the decal of "Old Glory" on their shoulder remains the same. Thousands have paid the ultimate sacrifice, bleeding the same red colors found in seven of the 13 stripes of our American flag.

Whenever you see a serviceman or woman, past or present, I challenge you to give them a big hug and a thank you for their courage exemplified simply by donning that military uniform on a daily basis.

If that's too much, keep our servicemen and women in your prayers, asking God to order their steps and grant them safety. Everyday they're walking in shoes not many of us civilians can fill.