During this month in which we celebrate America's independence, we must not forget that the samekind of sacrifices that bought and maintain our freedom are being made day after day by youngJewish men and women to defend the nation of Israel. The constant attacks Israel has enduredsince her rebirth in 1948 have soaked the land with the blood of courageous heroes who have beenkilled or wounded in battle. And every one of them is remembered by family and friends who are leftwith hurting hearts.

On my recent trip to Israel I met with two people who have suffered more than most of us can evenimagine—the parents of Galid Shalit, the young Israeli soldier who was captured by Hamas terroristsmore than four years ago when he was just nineteen years old. The terrorists used a tunnel underthe Gaza border to launch a sneak attack inside Israel. They killed two other Israeli soldiers and tookShalit prisoner, badly wounding him in the process.

Today Shalit is believed to be alive and being held in Gaza. His captors released a video of him latelast year that contained a message for his parents. Hamas is trying to blackmail Israel into releasinghundreds of convicted terrorists in exchange for his return. Israeli military intelligence continuesto search for Shalit, but the network of tunnels under Gaza that are used to smuggle in weaponsfrom Iran have so far proven to be a successful hiding place for the terrorists and their prisoner.

And the Shalits are far from alone. A large number of brave young Israeli men and women havebeen wounded or killed defending their nation from the constant terrorist assault. I'm asking youtoday to join me in sending a special gift to help the Shalit family and so many other families whohave lost so much in Israel's fight for survival.

Most of these families do not have the uncertainty that the Shalits must deal with. Instead theyhave cemeteries to visit, wheelchairs to push, and the burden of providing constant care andattention to their children who have been gravely wounded in the struggle for Israel's survival.

The government of Israel does not have the resources to provide all of the specialized care,therapy and other help that families trying to cope with serious and life-altering injuries need.

Frequently they feel abandoned and forgotten. At times they wonder whether the sacrifice is worth it.Many of them know that they will never again receive a hug or a kiss from their beloved child. Othersmake painful trips to cemeteries to remember the loved ones they have lost.

So please remember these heroes of Israel in your prayers.

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Dr. Michael D. Evans is the #1 New York Times bestselling author, and author of Jimmy Carter: The Liberal Left and World Chaos and Atomic Iran.