In my own heritage, we consider a loss of a life to be the loss of a world. On days of remembrance, I think of recent ancestors taken before their time and I think of the sons and cousins and subsequent generations that never were. On Memorial Day we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice of life. I am not sure if other nations also calendar a day for veterans: a time to honor the living, who contributed blood, sweat, tears and often carry real and internal scarring.

Once the flags are raised back to full mast, most of the nation shifts its singular focus back to the economic struggle. Though for many Americans, the sacrifices of duty and war are constant.

At least sometimes, capitalism rewards hard work on a basis of merit. But it's hard to imagine that those called to arms can ever be compensated commensurate to their sacrifice. For veterans, the dire economy compounds the already-heavy toll of service and war.

We contribute our taxes and sometimes our lives to our country. Federal bankruptcy protection offers something unique in return. For both soldiers and civilians smothered by debt, bankruptcy is a federal lifesaver and a second chance. Eliminating liabilities permits us to move forward and better provide to our families and ourselves. The help is there and you don't have to suffer needlessly.