I experienced a much needed feeling of pride and hope at Friday’s high school football game. My daughter and I shook hands and thanked four incredibly polite, respectful and physically fit U.S. Army soldiers who had a recruiting booth setup.

To me, they were brothers and comrades being a U.S. Navy veteran. I said, we love you and we want to thank you for protecting us.

As I spoke I looked into the eyes of four American sons who voluntarily signed up to put their life on the line and face death to protect mine. It brought an overwhelming sense of pride and hope in me.

In a world where if ordered to, these four American soldiers would go courageously and proudly fight dictators who use chemical gas weapons on their own fellow countrymen, women and children.

We thank God for the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. We pray for them and we also pray for this generation of leaders who are students now but are making their way through the life they were given, then on into this world.

Oh, and thank you guys for the U.S. Army ball cap; I will wear it when I watch Navy beat Army again this year.