I did not know Michael Franklin. I know his mother, Tina. But as I downloaded and watch the Channel 7 news coverage of his funeral yesterday, I cried.

This was one of our own. A soldier worth fifty other soldiers, because he was one of ours. In fact, several soldiers have died since Michael Franklin’s death last week. And though each of them have names, and families, and a story, and just as many people grieving their death, I can’t help to think that Franklin’s death is more important, because he was one of “ours”.

I know our country is at each others throats about this war. I know that half of us are in support of what we are doing, and half of us are not.

The bottom line is, no matter what our position, we have soldiers fighting, and dying and coming home in flag draped caskets, making moms and news reporters and everyone else cry, and grieve and hurt.

Let’s honor Private First Class Michael Franklin by supporting his fellow soldiers. If you don’t think this war is just, it does not mean our soldiers are not just.

They are brave. They are strong. They are real men and women, with a heart and a passion for patriotism… A heart and a passion for freedom… A heart and a passion for their moms and dads, and wives and kids back home.

Thanks Michael Franklin for sacrificing your life for the cause of freedom. Thanks Tina Franklin for raising that boy to be a man of honor.