By: J. Randolph Evans

Thankfully, the war in Iraq has come to an end. Thankfully, America’s troops have come home from Iraq for Christmas. Yet, many more continue to serve in Afghanistan and other dangerous places around the world. No one can thank these young women and men enough for their dedicated service to our country. Yet, the two most underused words in the world are “thank you.” So often, in the frantic pace of life, there never seems to be enough time to stop and recognize the truly priceless gifts from the brave few who serve our country.

Thank you, Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph R. Giese of Winder, Georgia. He was killed on January 7, 2011 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations. He was 24 years old and scheduled to complete his deployment in less than a month before he was killed in action. Among those Lance Cpl. Giese leaves behind are his wife Heather, his mother Constance Wascovich, his father Larry Giese, and his three sisters.

Thank you, Army Pfc. Jeremy P. Faulkner from Griffin, Georgia who died on March 29, 2011. He was killed in the Sarkani district of Kunar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with small-arms fire. Also known as “Remy,” he leaves behind his mother and step-father, Judy and Tony Berry, his father, Joel Faulkner, and five siblings. He was 23 years old.

Thank you, Army Spc. Gary L. Nelson, III, from Woodstock, Georgia. He died on April 5, 2011 in Mosul, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat incident. He was 20 years old and attended Woodstock High School. “It turned his life around,” his mother said. “He was adamant and passionate about serving in the military.” He leaves behind his parents, Gary Lee Jr. and Dawn Nelson, and his sister, Kristina.

Thank you, Army Staff Sgt. Cynthia R. Taylor of Columbus, Georgia. She was killed on April 16, 2011 at Forward Operating Base, Gamberi, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when an Afghan National Army Soldier attacked her with multiple grenades. She was 39 years old, and leaves behind her daughter, Maggie Taylor, son, Joseph Goodwin, and mother, Judy Hart.

Thank you, Army Spc. Sgt. Robert G. Tenney, Jr. from Warner Robins, Georgia who died on June 29, 2011. Sergeant Tenney was killed in Badrah, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces with indirect fire. At age 29, he took his eternal rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

Thank you, Army Spc. Mark J. Downer who died on August 5, 2011. He was 23 years old and came from Warner Robins, Georgia. He was killed in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with a rocket propelled grenade. Downer’s aunt, Sandra Downer, said, “He always did what was best for others.”

Thank you, Army Staff Sgt. Keith F. Rudd from Winder, Georgia. He died on September 10, 2011 in Parvan, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations. He was 36 years old, and on his third deployment.

Thank you, Marine Lance Cpl. John F. Wimpey Cagle from Tucker, Georgia. He was 19 years old when he died on September 28, 2011 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations. Lance Corporal Cagle graduated from Chamblee Charter High School in 2010.

Thank you, Army Spc. Adrian G. Mills from Newnan, Georgia. He was 23 years old when he died on September 29, 2011 in Kirkuk, Iraq, of injuries caused by indirect fire. He leaves behind his mother, Marie Blehschmidt, his wife, Sandra Abel Mills, and his sister, Maegon Mills. He took his eternal rest at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia.

Thank you, Marine Lance Cpl. Scott D. Harper from Douglasville, Georgia. He was 21 years old when he died on October 13, 2011 in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was a graduate of Alexander High School, where he was active in ROTC. He leaves behind his father and step-mother, Brian and Angela Harper, his mother, Deborah Busbin Staples, two siblings and two step-siblings.

In 2011, these great Georgians all made the ultimate sacrifice for our country while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. They, and those serving with them, left their families, homes and jobs to preserve and protect the United States of America.

None will see home again. They will never feel the warm embrace of moms and dads, brothers and sisters, and wives and children again. Their last Christmas was their last Christmas. Their sacrifice must never be forgotten nor overlooked.

Words are never enough to express a nation’s gratitude to those who have given so much. But there are two simple words that are a good start: THANK YOU!