November 11 is Veterans Day, but few days go by when we don’t think about our family, friends and neighbors who serve in America’s military. From the heart-wrenching losses at Fort Hood last week to a possible overseas deployment of Idaho’s 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, our military personnel continually earn our respect and thanks. Here’s a look at a few of the notable Idaho Democrats who have ties to the U.S. Armed Forces:

State Rep. Bill Killen served in the U.S. Navy from 1960 to 1964 after being commissioned out of the Navy ROTC program at Stanford University. Most of his service was with the Civil Engineer Corps/Seabees in Hawaii and various parts of the Pacific.

Assistant House Minority Leader James Ruchti is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served in the U.S. Army in military intelligence.

Congressman Walt Minnick served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

State Rep. George Sayler served in the Army in Vietnam.

State Rep. Elaine Smith is the mother of Army pilot CW3 Camille Griffin, who is based at Ft. Bliss, Texas, and flies in Texas and Colombia. Smith’s son-in-law, Major Greg Griffin, is also in the Army, currently serving in Iraq.

State Sen. Nicole LeFavour’s partner, Carol Growhoski, served in the Air Force.

State Rep. Donna Boe’s husband, Roger, served in the Army near the end of the Korean War.

State Rep. Phylis King’s brother, Gordie, received a bronze star for his service in Vietnam.

Randy Johnson, executive director of the Idaho Democratic Legislative Caucus, served as a cavalry scout in the U.S. Army from 2000 to 2006, including a tour of duty in Iraq in 2004-2005.

Gail Bray, Idaho national committeewoman to the Democratic National Committee and a former four-term Idaho State Senator, served a three-year appointment to the Defense Department Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. While in the position, which carried the rank of a three-star general, she visited military facilities across the country to determine conditions for women in all branches of the service.

To these Idahoans and the many others not named here, we thank you for your service and for your family's commitment to our country!