The Ultimate Sacrifice

Recently a British soldier was killed in Afghanistan bringing the total for British loses to 344 in the past nine years.  The soldier died during an ambush attack the news reported.  The British have been on America's side since the beginning of this war.  They are only second to America in the number of loses they have suffered since 2001.  They are scheduled to stay in Afghanistan till 2015.  Is it right for a country that had no reason, except for the UN Charter, to stay there that long when other NATO countries have already pulled out or have plans to be out very soon?  Their choice.  But it is interesting to look at the history of America and Britain.
In the not too distant past England owned America, as we all know, until we decided we wanted to be free.  The ensuing bloody war called the American Revolution took place as we fought, for the first time united, for our freedom that we so dearly valued and continue to value today.  We won, obviously, and built up our nation over the next couple hundred years, not without our problems, and eventually become trading partners with England.  It's kind of ironic to me since they had once owned us.  It gets even more ironic when you think about our relationship with England today.  England is our closest ally and friend.  Can't say the same about the relationship in 1764.  We've come a long way since then.  So is our sense of duty to one another stemming from our history together?  Maybe.  Many people's ancestors are from England.  The relationship that the two countries have had has been strenuous at times, but at other times solid as a rock.  As they have been there for us, we will always be there for them too.  England decided nine years ago to uphold a Charter they signed and have since voluntarily decided to stay and help American forces fight a battle that was never theirs.  Because of their relationship with us they have fallen victim to their own terrorist attacks.  That's a sacrifice.  Britain is not the only country that has sacrificed for us, but they are the country that has been for there for us significantly.