Laurels on Armed Forces Day to all those who are serving or have served in the nationís military branches. While perhaps not as widely celebrated as Veterans Day or Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day has a long history, having been commemorated on the third Saturday in May since 1950. The event originated to mark the unification of military branches under the Department of Defense. Currently, there are about 1,432,400 military personnel on active duty, with another 846,200 reserve troops. Underscoring the combat stresses many of these servicemembers face, a U.S. military study released this week said there has been a significant decline in the morale of troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Increased exposure to heavy fighting, in part because of recurring deployments, can take a heavy psychological toll, the study says. Troops need support while theyíre on active duty, as well as when they come home and transition back into civilian life.

Dart to bullying, a nationwide problem that needs to be taken seriously, especially in light of high-profile cases involving the suicides of youths and criminal charges against their tormentors. You can learn more about the problem and help be part of the solution this weekend in Salisbury by attending an anti-bullying rally at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Bell Tower. The event was organized by North Rowan student Megan Braun; Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten is among the scheduled speakers.

Laurels to the bald eagles enjoying life at High Rock Lake and downstream reservoirs. The existence of their nesting sites isnít just good news for these majestic birds, once facing possible extinction; itís also a good barometer for measuring the overall environmental health of their breeding and feeding grounds. Down to a single breeding pair of eagles a few decades ago, North Carolina now has upwards of 80 pairs, according to a recent survey. Unfortunately, while wildlife managers, conservationists, sportsmen and others have done their part to insure the preservation of bald eagles, the birds still face a threat from senseless acts of destruction. While we were celebrating our regional eagle population, wildlife authorities were investigating the shooting of a young bald eagle found dead earlier this month in Haywood County.