Today I am going out looking for my lagniappe in whatever form it might choose to take. We are given gifts every day, whether we choose to see them or not.

During its 224-year existence, it has seen changes in name, purpose and award eligibility criteria reflecting the changing nature of warfare, but also the changing character of the nation that sends its men and women into harm's way.

I've got the hamburgers and the sparklers. Washed my red white and blue T shirt. Everybody's got their assignments for the barbecue. And I find myself wondering--just what are we celebrating here?