Americans have been doing more squabbling amongst themselves lately than is healthy for our country.

All too often in the midst of yelling at one another over this political issue or that political issue, we fail to recognize a key and extremely important fact — we can squabble because men and women of our armed forces are up at all hours, always on guard defending our country.

Images of what that means, what that really means on a very personal, very real level were crystal clear Tuesday outside the National Guard Armory in Natchez.

Members of the Mississippi National Guard packed their gear, put on their uniforms and then stood tall as they said their goodbyes to family and friends.

The soldiers were heading first to Fort Bliss, Texas, for training before ultimately heading overseas. The soldiers will be away from home for the next 12 months.

That’s a tough separation for the wives, husbands, parents and children involved.

The brave men and women of our armed forces are the front line of America’s defense, sometimes the world’s defense.

So the next time you find yourself tempted to get upset, or fuss and fume about some domestic political dispute, stop for a second.

Realize that you have the freedom to squabble because of these people. Then say a prayer of gratitude for what they do and for the sacrifices they and their families endure while they’re deployed.