I have been very fortunate to not know anyone personally who has lost their lives while in military service. My father served in WWII in the European Theater. I know he went into Dachau, but he wouldn't talk about it. He said once, towards the end of his life, that there were piles of bodies everywhere, the smell was unbelievable, then he went dead silent and his eyes and expression made it clear he was no longer in the kitchen talking with me, but back in that place, at that time.

I know that Veterans Day is about those who served and came back, Memorial Day is about those that didn't return, but what about those that went to war and left a big part of themselves behind?