For millions of Americans, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of the Summer. It's a time for backyard barbecues, town parades and family getaways. However, for the men women and families of those who killed serving their country, Memorial Day weekend resonates more deeply. William Brown is a former Navy Seal and currently a law student at Rutgers.  Mary Galeti is the wife of First Lieutenant Russell Galeti of the National Guard.

The latest ABC News/Washington Post poll shows that 60 percent of Americans say the Afghanistan war is "not worth fighting." This is a record low in public support of the war. Mary Galeti, the wife of Afghanistan veteran First Lieutenant Russell Galeti, and Gideon Rose, editor of Foreign Affairs and author of "How Wars End: Why We Always Fight the Last Battle," describe their observations of public opinion, and what it might mean for the Obama administration's efforts in Afghanistan going forward.

First Lieutenant Russell Galeti was one of 30,000 U.S. troops deployed to Afghanistan as part of the surge ordered by President Obama. Galeti returned home from his tour last week. We speak to the lieutenant and his wife, Mary Galeti, about the war as seen from the ground and whether the current strategy appears to be working. They describe the conditions in Afghanistan and say that it's way too soon for troops to leave as there's still a lot of work to be done.

First Lieutenant Russell Galeti is one of 30,000 U.S. troops that will deploy to Afghanistan as part of the troop surge ordered by President Obama. We speak to Russell and his wife, Mary Galeti, about how they are planning for Russell's deployment at the end of the month.

Over 40 million Americans watched President Obama’s speech Tuesday, in which he announced that he’ll be sending 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. Among those watching most closely were U.S. soldiers and families of soldiers who could be sent over. Mary Galeti's husband will soon be deployed to Afghanistan with the Ohio National Guard; she joins us to talk about what it’s like to wait for those marching orders. Also joining us is Col. Bill Buckner, public affairs officer for the 18th Airborne Corps stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. He’s been deployed to Iraq twice.

Hot on the heels of a recently-released report in which Afghanistan commander General McChrystal said the U.S. mission in Afghanistan "will likely result in failure" without calling up additional troops, President Obama hit the talk show circuit expressing concern about sending more troops. How are these mixed messages playing out for those about to be deployed?

Kristen L. Rouse is a first lieutenant in the Army National Guard and recently found out she would be deployed for a second tour in Afghanistan. Mary Galeti's husband Russell is also soon to be deployed to Afghanistan. They join us with their thoughts on the continued U.S. presence in Afghanistan. We're also joined by Larry Korb, former Assistant Secretary of Defense under Ronald Reagan and now a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and a senior advisor for the Center for Defense Information.

44 American servicemembers have died in Afghanistan so far in August, tying with July as the deadliest month yet for U.S. troops in that conflict. The increase in violence has reignited debate about the U.S. role in the country. We speak to some familly members of the troops stationed there about their take on sending their loved ones off to this war. 

Mary Galeti is from Cleveland, Ohio. Her husband, Russell, is a first lieutenant with the Ohio National Guard. He is currently training with NATO forces in Hungary, but will be deployed to Afghanistan in January. Kim Clark is from Erie, Pennsylvania. Her son Daniel is a Marine in an artillery unit near Helmand Province in Afghanistan. And Larry Syverson is from Richmond, Virginia. His son Branden is a sergeant in the Army's 5th brigade, 2nd infantry, near Kandahar, Afghanistan.