Has anyone else noticed that during the past 16 months we've seen a major increase in overdue respect, honor and appreciation for our nation's military heroes?

It's absolutely true.

Just turn on your TV, open a paper, or walk around your local downtown, and you'll notice love for the troops we've not seen since at least 1991, if not 1945. Suddenly, aside from the clinically insane, most everyone seems to admire the soldiers who provide us our cherished freedoms; but why, especially when from 2001-2008, that admiration was pitifully lacking?

Oh yes, we have a different president. That's the unspoken reason.

Despite Mr. Obama essentially following most of the Bush war-time policies - to less criticism, of course-- many duplicitous Americans now feel free to show how much they care about this country's greatness.

I have said this many times since early 2009, when it first became pathetically evident:
While the pride and sacrifice from our citizens is not a fraction of World Wars 1 or 2 (I would surmised a plurality of Americans do not even understand we're truly at war), the spirit is far better than it was from during Bush's term -- and it's so disingenuous.

Now, instead of ignoring our military, castigating their leaders, and/or using  them for their own political agendas, we have lately seen:

-ESPN  spending a full Veterans Day at West Point and then allowing the Cadets to return the   favor. (Sports media, franchise owners and athletes are as left-leaning as their news counterparts. See here, here , here and especially here.)

- We have national ad campaigns and other patriotism to welcome  back Vets from a first lady (and president) who had no interest in American pride her first 45 years of life.

- Marine Week is celebrated in Boston, of all places.

- Servicemen and their commanders are honored with free meals on Veterans Day and before concerts, sporting events and anywhere.

-Then this past Saturday night, we're in Chicago at White Sox game for my birthday, and they honor a sole Marine recently back from Iraq. He's just a simple Marine. But now he's the "hero of the game" and 30,000 Chicagoans give him a standing ovation -- in Chicago!!!

Would that have happened in 2005 when John Kerry was bashing  them, and Democrat leaders were calling them murderers and seeking defeat at any cost? No. It would not and did not.

Saturday is Armed Forces Day, a little known holiday outside of military circles; but hey, it's the Obama Era -- we're 'post partisan' or something, despite really the opposite -- therefore we'll surely hear some love.

As someone who works to honor military men and women every day of my life, I am offended.