Big thanks to all our veterans

Philadelphia Family Court is closed today for Veterans Day.

Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans. On this day, to fully appreciate their service, I try to imagine myself in the position that a servicemember had been in while serving -- whether hunkered down in a foxhole in the dead of night, or on the deck of an aircraft carrier in the middle of the ocean with no land in sight, or in the midst of active enemy combat wondering whether you'll make it out alive.

These brave men and women put their lives at the service and defense of our country. A spirit of patriotism so strong that one is willing to put it into action, at the risk of one's own life, is nothing short of noble.

And to imagine the experiences and feelings that came with such service -- especially being away from one's homeland and apart from one's family -- adds to the sense of awe and respect that we should all have when we think about our veterans on this day and all year round.