Yellow ribbons on trees or flags hanging from windows adorned with stars are symbols American families have used for years to communicate their support of a family member or loved one away at war.

Two e-mails I recently received offered support to those currently serving in Afgahnistan and Iraq. The e-mails came from individuals, who were actually patriots themselves. The list of places these men and women have served could fill volumes.

Most of them go about their daily business never sharing the personal sacrifices they made in defense of our great nation. They fought in places like Normandy, Iwo Jima, Inchon, Nakom Phenom, Da Nang, Que, Beirut, Kuwait, Baghdad and the Oruzgan Province.

I am a fan of old black and white movies and remember a particular movie telling the true account of a family who had five sons serving simultaneously during World War II. The title of the movie escapes me for the moment, but the impact of the story does not. There are some families that give to their country in more ways than one.

Many years ago the man I was named for served in World War I as an Army artillery officer. I met him once or twice as a very young child and only remember him today through photographs my mother keeps in a bookcase.

His brothers and sisters used to affectionately refer to him as "Bubba." About five years ago I was given "Bubba's" pistol, the one he carried in France as a young Second Lieutenant.

I am certain many families could easily produce a weapon or memento a family relative carried in some far-away land. These are now prized possessions that serve as a reminder of that man or woman's gallant service.

Some liberated France from the Nazis, some liberated the Philippines from the Japanese Empire and others fought for liberty on the Korean peninsula. In recent years a monument has been constructed in our nation's capital honoring those who served and died in Vietnam.