Right now, at the heart of the election season's political debate, is of course the issue of the Iraq war and the war on terror in general.

My brother-in-law has served two tours of duty in Iraq and if possibly facing a third trip back this year.

It's his job. And he proudly carries it out. Despite what the nightly news might portray, or the print media would detail - things are improving over there. The media focuses on the American casualties while ignoring the amazing headway that's been made, the positive changes that have occurred in that country.

Yet for some of our politicians, this battle against terrorism is some kind of a political toy that they bat around like a bunch of kittens fighting over a dangling ball of string.

We have those that are against it, and have been from the beginning. We have those that support the war and its mission, but are tired of seeing the American casualties. We have those who supported the war, before they didn't support it. And we have those who say they support what the soldiers are doing even though they don't agree with the war…what?

So I want to share this piece with you - regardless of where you stand on the matter, recognizing our men and women who are serving in harms way in an effort to provide freedom and liberty to a people who have been ruled by tyranny and torture for many years.

These are the heroes who live in horrible conditions facing danger each day.

When you find yourself complaining about the annoyances of day-to-day life, just remember the soldiers and those who sit at home worrying about them each day, praying to get a phone call, yet dreading picking up the phone every time it rings for fear of the unthinkable news that could be waiting on the other end of the receiver.

WHEN A SOLDIER COMES HOME ......

When a soldier comes home, he finds it hard....

…to listen to his son whine about being bored.

…to keep a straight face when people complain about potholes.

…to be tolerant of people who complain about the hassle of getting ready for work.

…to be understanding when a co-worker complains about a bad night's sleep.

…to be silent when people pray to God for a new car.

…to control his panic when his wife tells him he needs to drive slower.

…to be compassionate when a businessman expresses a fear of flying.

....to keep from laughing when anxious parents say they're afraid to send their kids off to summer camp.

....to keep from ridiculing someone who complains about hot weather.

....to control his frustration when a colleague gripes about his coffee being cold.

....to remain calm when his daughter complains about having to walk the dog.

…to be civil to people who complain about their jobs.

....to just walk away when someone says they only get two weeks of vacation a year.

....to be forgiving when someone says how hard it is to have a new baby in the house.

The only thing harder than being a soldier…

is loving one.