Sometimes we refer to them as ''weekend warriors.'' They are members of the National Guard and the military Reserve. Most of the time they work at civilian jobs, training on weekends and during the summer to be ready for military duty.
Ohioans lost three of their warriors this month: Ohio National Guardsmen Capt. Nicholas Rozanski of Dublin, Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Rieck of Columbus and Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Hannon of Grove City. The three were on active duty in Afghanistan when they were killed in a suicide bombing. Rozanski was 36, Hannon was 44 and Rieck was 45.
Four others from the Ohio National Guard unit were wounded in the attack, which killed a total of 13 people.
Analysts have noted that among the United States military's greatest strengths are the National Guard and Reserve.
The reservists leave their loved ones, often young children included, and put their lives on the line every time. Nationwide, many more than Capt. Rozanski, Sgt. Rieck and Sgt. Hannon have paid the ultimate price during recent years.
Bear that in mind the next time a co-worker says he or she will be off the job for a few months, to fulfill an obligation to Uncle Sam. A simple, yet heartfelt ''thank you'' would be appropriate.
