As students, we have differing opinions on the Iraq War and any further involvement with the Middle East.

But even if we disagree with the wars America is fighting, it is still important to put aside personal opinion and appreciate those who risk their lives in combat every day.

Without the hardworking men and women of our armed services, our freedom as U.S. citizens would be at stake. Without them, the U.S. would not be as powerful a nation.

This Veterans Day is a great time to show your appreciation for those who are serving, those who have served, and their families. Even a simple “thank you” or a handshake to someone in uniform will do.

If you personally know any veterans, let them know you acknowledge their efforts and service to this country.

While not everyone in the military faces grave danger daily, their service is of equal importance.

You may even have a veteran sitting in one of your classes.

Some of those who have come back from active duty are now full-time students.

One such student is Nestor Davila, junior social work major. Davila has served two tours &- one in Afghanistan in 2005 and one in Iraq in 2006. He joined the Marine Corps in 2004 at the age of 20.

Going on tour into Iraq was no joke.

Those who are on active duty in that area face the harsh boundary between life and death. It is not as simple as pressing restart in a “Call of Duty” video game and getting your old self back again, with fresh ammunition to boot.

Davila said a sniper’s bullet once hit a wall about four inches from his head. He also almost got shot down when he was on a roof. He ventured toward a booby-trapped hotel and witnessed a bomb severely injuring one of his squad members.

We can sit here and speculate about war all we want. We can make jokes about war, throw around false accusations or make the wrong conclusions, but the fact is the risk of losing your life in the war is real.

It is not a hobby for those who serve. It is not something they can turn their back on one morning and forget quickly.

Ben Swanson, junior communication studies major, has been in the Air Force Reserve for the past two years.

He also serves as treasurer for the Student Veteran Organization at Sacramento State.

He joined the Air Force in 2001, shortly after the Sep. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

But these attacks were not his only motivation for joining.

Since he had no money to go to school, getting involved with the military was one of Swanson’s only ways of solving this problem. He would still be in active duty if his wife could have it her way.

For some like Davila, joining the military was a chance to venture out of constraining neighborhoods and see the bigger picture. It was a chance to face a challenge of a lifetime.

“When you first join the military at a time of war, everybody tells you, “No way you’re going to go to Iraq,'” he said. “Once you’re there, there is a sense of pride &- your kid is serving, or your kid’s contributing.”

Sure, it is by choice that these people joined the war, but it is wrong to simply denounce them for their choices.

No matter our stance on the wars, we should be supportive of those who are serving and of the veterans. They are making personal sacrifices so that all of us can have a better future.

The editorial staff can be reached at [email protected].