Last year, on April 25, 2006, the UNO Democrats presented a Tribute to the Fallen. This week, we are privileged and honored to again present this Tribute to the men and women who have given their lives in service to this great nation.

The war in Iraq inspires intense feelings on both sides of the aisle, as frequent readers of this blog can no doubt attest. But above all else, we hold nothing but the highest respect for the men and women fighting in Iraq right now. And it is with deep respect and the utmost dignity that we present this tribute to our fallen soldiers.

Last year, we placed 2,390 flags, each representing one life lost in this war. Since then, almost 1,000 more American soldiers have died in Iraq. But they are more than just numbers, they were brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers, and mothers. Many of them were our age. Each loss is tragic, the grief shared by their friends and family unimaginable. These soldiers deserve our highest respect. They all fought and died for this country, for the very freedoms that make this nation so great.

Regardless of what you believe about the war in Iraq, we hope that you will join with us this week in honoring the sacrifice that these brave young men and women have made for this country. And that they will not be forgotten. That the scope of this tragedy is more than just a number, but something that all of us can see.

Please join us on Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. begin our Tribute, reading the names of each fallen soldier, and on Thursday evening at 5 p.m. as we honor the Nebraska soldiers who have died in Iraq. All throughout the week, the flags will remain standing, a reminder of the sacrifice of each and every man and woman to whom we pay Tribute.