True, we're mired in an embarrassment of a war in Iraq, and an unfortunate, seemingly forgotten mission in Afghanistan. True, this Seattlest is not a fan of war in all its forms, and we marched through our then-hometown of New Orleans a few times in protest of the Iraq invasion.

But, today's not about honoring wars. It's about honoring the people who have chosen to volunteer their lives to military service (so that the rest of us don't have to). For so many members of our volunteer military, over the last four years, that's meant sometimes three and four tours on a battlefield that millions of their countrymen would like for us to abandon. It's meant lifelong injuries (both mental and physical), among other things. True, we may disagree with some of the missions that have been concocted for these folks, but we're grateful someone is willing to take the job.

Because, honestly, Seattlest would be a shitty soldier. We're lazy and overly sensitive and shy, and we'd much rather give hugs than shoot at anyone. Of course, today's military wouldn't let our openly gay ass enlist, but that's another story. Back to the part about honoring our military today...

Here in the states, we honor people by stopping mail service and closing liquor stores, not working, not going to school, and all that jazz. The Times has a list of what's open, and what's not.

photo thanks to slightlynorth