SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The concrete shimmered in the distance as heat waves danced in turbulent waves. In its midst rested a dark combat aircraft, motionless, baking as arid breezes swept by. A dust covered thermometer on the nearby hanger wall pointed glaringly to 119 degrees. 

Underneath, toils a young Airman. The sweat beads dropped from the Airman's face onto the hot tarmac. Sweat drenched the grimy and marred tan t-shirt, making it stick to the airmen's slender-muscular build. The aircraft mechanic reaches down for a tool, seemingly unaware of the burning metal now in hand, makes the adjustment and the tool returned. 

Overhead, the sky is gray-blue as the sun beats down incessantly, burning, hot, and enduring. In every direction there is sand; burnt-beige sand from millions of sunrises and hot afternoons like the one facing these deployed men and women. This afternoon, Americans from every region and every crossroad they come together as one team, to support one another and many others, unknown and unseen. 

For in far-off countries there's a struggle of wills and ideologies; a fight for freedom and deterring tyranny. The idea of liberty and the right-to-choose causes men and women to leave their loved ones and the security of their freedom, to endure steadfastly for the sake of others - for the hope of others. 

We fight so men and women of different lands and cultures may have the privilege to yearn for liberty and taste the sweetness of freedom. So that their unborn generations may find lasting peace and hope in their homeland, pride in their nationality, and honor for their flag and their families. 

This, among other reasons, is why Americans deploy, fight and choose duty over their comfort, and hope and freedom over their safety.