I share a recent quote: “The military is at war — the rest of the country is at the mall.”

Indeed, we are at war. We hear data on the news, but unless a friend or family member is serving, most Americans are uninvolved.

During World War II, the people of our country were prepared to make sacrifices, to do whatever it took, to aid and assist our country in a time of need. But now? It’s inconvenient.

In Maine the welcome mat is being rolled up for our pilots who need to be training and maintaining their skills over mountainous terrain. Men and women volunteer to serve, to protect and defend us all, and put their lives on the line every day.

Eight years ago on a sunny September morning we were attacked in our homeland (and, by the way, the Massachusetts Air National Guard were the first planes on the scene). By the grace of God and a lot of folks doing their jobs, we have not been attacked again — yet.

We take for granted that those who wear a uniform are there for us; but, apparently, we don’t want to see or hear them unless or until we need them. It’s “not in my backyard!”

I, for one, love the sound of jet noise, and it is, indeed, the sound of freedom.

Appreciate whomever is flying those jets and be proud. Don’t clip their wings. Allow them to do what’s necessary to be prepared.

Leslie Skibitsky, Dixfield