By J. Randolph Evans – The two most underused words in the world are “thank you.” So often, in the whirl of current events and the frantic pace of nonstop lifestyles, there never seems to be enough time to stop and recognize the truly priceless gifts from the few. Yet, they ask so little and give so much.

Thank you Marine Pfc. Jason H. Estopinal who died while serving his country on February 15, 2010. He was 21. He died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Thank you Army Spc. Matthew D. Huston of Athens, Georgia. He was killed on March 1, 2010 in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked his unit using small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. He was 24.

Thank you Army Spc. Lakeshia M. Bailey who died on March 8, 2010. She was 23 and from Columbus, Georgia. One of her fellow servicemen described her this way, “when I say tough, she would take grown men down to the ground.”

Thank you Army 1st Lt. Robert W. Collins from Tyrone, Georgia. He was 24. He was killed on April 7, 2010 in Mosul, Iraq, when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

Thank you Army Staff Sgt. James R. Patton from Fort Benning, Georgia. He died on April 18, 2010 in Tikrit, Iraq, from injuries he sustained as the result of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crash. Jim Patton is survived by his wife, Beatriz, his daughter, Cecilia, and his parents.

Thank you Army Sgt. Jonathan K. Peney who died on June 01, 2010. He was 22 and from Marietta, Georgia. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. He was shot by enemy forces in Zhari district, Afghanistan.

Thank you Army Spc. David A. Holmes. He was from Tennille, Georgia. He died on June 26, 2010 from wounds suffered during an attack on his unit at Sayed Abad, Afghanistan.

Thank you Marine Lance Cpl. William T. Richards. He died on June 26, 2010. He was 20 and from Trenton, Georgia. He was killed at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan while supporting combat operations in Helmand province. He was a banjo player.

Thank you Army Sgt. Johnny W. Lumpkin who died on July 2, 2010 while serving in Balad, Iraq. He was 38 and from Columbus, Georgia.

Thank you Army Pfc. Jacob A. Dennis. He was from Powder Springs, Georgia. He died on July 3, 2010 from injuries at Forward Operating Base Lane, Afghanistan. He was 22.

Thank you Army Staff Sgt. Sheldon L. Tate. He was 27. He was from Hinesville, Georgia. He suffered fatal wounds when the enemy attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.

Thank you Army Sgt. 1st Class Edgar N. Roberts who was also from Hinesville, Georgia. He died on August 17, 2010 from wounds suffered during an attack in Sayed Abad, Afghanistan.

Thank you Army Pfc. Chad D. Coleman who died on August 27, 2010. He was 20 and from Moreland, Georgia. He died from wounds suffered in the Paktiya province.

Thank you Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher B. Rodgers. He was 20 and from Griffin, Georgia. He died on September 1, 2010 during combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Thank you Marine 1st Lt. Scott J. Fleming who died on September 17, 2010 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was 24 and from Marietta, Georgia.

Thank you Air Force Senior Airman Michael J. Buras. He was 23 and from Fitzgerald, Georgia. He died on September 21, 2010 from wounds suffered as the result of an improvised explosive device detonation in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Airman Buras was on his third deployment and had received a Purple Heart.

Thank you Marine Cpl. Stephen C. Sockalosky who died on October 6, 2010. He was from Cordele, Georgia. He died in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

Thank you Marine Lance Cpl. Raymon L. A. Johnson. He was from Midland, Georgia. He died on October 13, 2010 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.