In Arizona, a military family and community are grieving the loss of an American hero killed in Somalia.

In Vermont, families are praying for their loved ones after they just left for a yearlong deployment to southwest Asia.

In Oklahoma, spouses and children are breathing a huge sigh of relief after their heroes just returned home from eight dangerous months in Afghanistan.

Seventeen years since our country’s last peacetime Independence Day celebration, war’s devastating impact can still be felt all around us. Yet for the most part, our nation continues to look away.

That’s not just wrong. It’s unpatriotic.

Despite a “24-hour news cycle,” cable news outlets go days at a time without mentioning the war in Afghanistan, which has lasted longer than Vietnam or any other conflict in American history. President Trump, who can ignite a media frenzy with a single tweet, rarely mentions the wars that he – as commander-in-chief – has decided to keep prosecuting.

Why does it matter whether we pay attention to America’s wars? My belief is that when someone is willing to put on a uniform and die to keep my family safe, the least I can do is take heed. With brave U.S. troops doing exactly that in perilous places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Somalia, honoring these heroes should be synonymous with waving our flags on July 4th.

Had an entire generation of volunteer warriors not stepped forward to confront evil after the horrors of September 11, 2001, our nation wouldn’t have the luxury of largely ignoring the military’s ongoing sacrifices. Instead of grilling hot dogs and enjoying fireworks, July 4th would be just another day of mourning the many more victims of terrorism who almost certainly would have perished in our country’s streets.

The Ultimate Sacrifice

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Alex Conrad, 26, made the ultimate sacrifice on June 8 while fighting the al-Shabaab terrorist group in Somalia. This past weekend, the fallen hero’s family, friends and fellow soldiers gathered in a Phoenix suburb to remember Staff Sgt. Conrad’s extraordinary life.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Alexander “Alex” Conrad, 26, was killed in Somalia on June 8, 2018.

“Alex rose to the task,” said Rev. Dan McBride, as quoted by The Arizona Republic. “He said to the rest of humanity: I see your suffering. And he witnessed them, people in the far corners of the world and to us, with his blood.”

While praying for the Conrad family and everyone who knew and served with this volunteer warrior, we should also mark the Fourth of July by celebrating the privilege of being blessed with such selfless protectors. They don’t have to risk their lives, yet choose to do so anyway.

Freedom is a God-given right. However, it was — and still is — secured and protected by valiant men and women willing to die for it. Driven by the memories of patriots like Staff Sgt. Alex Conrad, let us wave our flags with renewed vigor to honor the heroes who bleed red, white and blue.

Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is co-author of three books about military heroes: 8 Seconds of Courage, Brothers Forever and Fire in My Eyes. Follow Tom on Twitter @TSileo.