Earlier this week, two Kansans were laid to rest:  Spc. Daniel Cox of Parsons and Sgt. Tyler Juden of Ark City.  Since the United States went to war in 2001 in Afghanistan and 2003 in Iraq, a lot has changed.  However, I'm proud to say that the support for our troops has remained unchanged.

It can be easy to become complacent...  to take for granted all the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make on a daily basis a world away from all of us.

These two brave men deserve our thanks and appreciation for volunteering to defend America, liberty and freedom.  The next time you see a service member, take 15 seconds out of your day to shake their hand and say thank you.  Say thank you in memory of Daniel Cox and Tyler Juden and all the others who have stepped forward to contribute to a cause greater than themselves... greater than you or I.  They defend the ideas and principles that make us Americans.

Daniel Cox and Tyler Juden, thank you so very much.