I have so much admiration for all of the men and women who have served our country in the military and a special gratitude for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to secure the freedoms we enjoy today.When I was a young man and about to graduate from high school, I was given an appointment to West Point by my congressman.  Unfortunately I couldn't pass the physical because of my eyesight.  I have thought many times how different my life would have been if I had entered into the academy and later into the Army.Instead, many of my friends headed for Vietnam while I headed for college and later married and began to raise a family.  Just because I wasn't a veteran doesn't mean ...