“All gave some; some gave all” might be meaningless to many who have not served in the military of our great republic.

However, as a veteran of 30-plus years’ service in the U.S. Army, North Dakota Army National Guard and the U.S. Air Force Reserve, that slogan causes a literal lump in my throat and goose bumps on my arms.

It reminds me that “freedom is not free” and that dying in defense of the United States of America is one of the noblest acts our fighting men have performed since the beginning of this great country.

From the time even before there was a United States, patriots fought to throw off the British yoke.

Bataan and Corregidor, places on foreign soil in a land that was promised freedom from American rule, Americans fought; died in battle; and died in Japanese prison camps, on Japanese prison ships and in Japan proper so that our republic could be free.

Remember, these acts of valor also brought freedom and independence to the Philippine republic.

There are too many other places to be mentioned in this letter to list all American military achievements.

One also must remember that American women served in the various American military branches, supporting those who fought in combat. Also, the defense plants of bygone eras had patriotic Americans working around the clock to provide equipment and supplies, so that our military men could carry the fight to the enemy.

Then there were those on the home front who raised the food, accepted rationing and supported our military in any way they could.

When I see that there are those elected leaders in this great country who would stand back and allow the enemy to move forward, I am appalled. Those who do not support our fighting men are traitors.

These items are just examples of things we must remember when we go to the polls in November to elect a president to lead us for four more years.

Patriots seem to be in short supply when we look at the list. This, more than anything else, must be remembered as we pick the next vice presidential candidate to serve with Mitt Romney.

We must pick Gov. Rick Perry of Texas for this position. Perry is a true conservative, a man who has served in the military, and a “born-again” Christian.

We need no other for this important position. Perry will provide the backbone for Romney.