Several days ago, our nation paused to celebrate its independence. However, sometimes the true meaning of the holiday can get lost in the shuffle.

Here in the Miss-Lou lots of us cooked out with family and friends. Some people celebrated annual rites of summer with such events as the annual flotilla on Lake St. John.

Others may have enjoyed the day off and lazily hung out around the house or maybe went shopping. For some the day is &8220;just another day.&8221;

As we worried over the seemingly insignificant parts of life &8212; what bathing suit to wear, who had the coolest boat decorations or which plasma TV to pick &8212; the freedoms we often take for granted were being snuffed out on the other side of the world.

This summer alone dozens of United States soldiers have been killed or wounded serving our country overseas.

On July 5, as most of us returned to work, perhaps muttering under our breath that the holiday wasn&8217;t long enough, Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey A. McLochin, 45 of Rochester, Ind., died in Afghanistan. He was in the Army National Guard and in his civilian life was a police officer.

McLochin was one soldier, but he represents many who have given their life in service of our country.

Let us never forget the sacrifices of our military men and women. Nor should we forget the struggles of the families who must endure when the memories of their lost loved ones cut through the monotony of &8220;just another day.&8221;