Honoring Soldiers In (And Out Of) Uniform

(CBS)  Weekly commentary by CBS Evening News chief Washington correspondent and Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer.

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You probably saw the picture that I saw recently. It was hard to miss because it made the front page of most newspapers.

When the Taliban opened fire on his base camp, an American soldier named Zachary Boyd jumped out of bed in his flipflops and pink boxer shorts, threw on his helmet, grabbed his rifle and started firing back.

It made me smile, but when I checked it out, it brought the war in Afghanistan home to me in a very personal way. Turns out, Zachary Boyd is just 19, grew up in my hometown of Fort Worth and graduated from Keller High School, where for many years before he got there, my sister was the principal.

This is Memorial Day weekend and the government asks us to remind everyone to observe a moment of silence at 3pm tomorrow for those who have fallen in America's wars. We do so gladly.

But seeing Zachary Boyd will also make me think of all the 19-year-old kids - and there are a lot of them - who are in some god-awful places around the world this weekend, doing what their country has asked them to do.

I wish there were time to say all their names on national television. There isn't, but I hope they and their parents know that we're all proud of them.

[bhooks2]

As a veteran myself, I couldn't help but laugh at Zacahry's perdicament and being caught on camera. "Been there - Done that". This is a lot more common than the non-veteran might realize. Combat seasoned veterans learn NEVER take your pants off. It's to hard to put them on and shoot back at the same time. Thanks Zachary for your service.

[koko98-2009]

If you have your weapon you are ready for combat.