Two U.S. Marine veterans join a patriotic celebration at Ground Zero in New York following the president’s announcement of Osama bin Laden’s death on May 1, 2011. The veteran shown on the far right, Bill Cortese, lost two cousins during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

Five years after U.S. military heroes confronted and killed the world’s most wanted terrorist, we salute all who have worn our nation’s uniform. Without you, we would not have the privilege of being free.