888

Here's an easy number to remember: 888.

888 is the number of American military men and women now confirmed dead in the service of their country, in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Almost one out of ten was from Texas. I count 80 men and women from the Lone Star state. Eighty caskets shipped home. Eighty families forever changed, just in Texas. And still the killing goes on over there.

If you have an opportunity, please tell someone in the military "Thanks!" for their service, whether it's in Iraq or elsewhere. Iraq is particularly unpleasant. The terrain is mostly endless, flat dusty desert. This weekend's Baghdad forecast predicts afternoon highs of 116. Virtually no American living quarters anywhere over there are air conditioned.

It'd be bad enough, without IEDs and bullets and mortars.

Keeping in mind the number 888, I remind all my friends once again: please come right out with it and say "Thanks!" to anyone connected with our military.

There's no chance they'll hear it too often.

Brad Messer, commentary, KTSA.