On America’s birthday, amid the cookouts and the fireworks, how many Americans stopped to think about Austin Tice?

Not many, I’m guessing. Most Americans don’t know who Austin Tice is. They should.

He served as a captain in the Marine Corps and when he got out of the military he became a freelance journalist. He went to Syria because it drove him crazy that the most important story in the world, the cauldron of the worst human suffering on this planet, wasn’t being covered on the ground. Once a Marine, always a Marine. He had to be there.

He was one of the few foreign journalists in Syria when he was abducted four years ago. He is being held, it is believed, not by the Islamic State, but by those loyal to the Syrian government, though no group has claimed him as a hostage. If he’s alive, he’s a prisoner of politics as much as anything.

Tom Brennan knows who Austin Tice is. Like Tice, Brennan is a Marine turned journalist. Brennan grew up in Randolph, joined the Marines when he was 17, and did his first combat tour in Iraq. From Afghanistan, he brought home a Purple Heart and a traumatic brain injury, courtesy of a rocket-propelled grenade.

He also brought home a keen eye for what war does to human beings, and that’s why he thinks about Austin Tice, and why he founded The War Horse, a nonprofit news outlet and website that, among other things, aims to chronicle the life of every US service member killed in action since 9/11. Beyond telling the story of veterans, The War Horse is dedicated to focusing on how America treats its veterans.

“As a country, we’ve become desensitized to war, all aspects of it. Every American should know who Austin Tice is. Very few do,’’ Brennan said. “It’s not just about the casualties in war zones. It’s about what comes home. A story about a dentist shooting a lion got more media coverage than a veteran lighting himself on fire in front of a VA hospital.’’

Last week, the parents of four Americans who were taken hostage by ISIS and never made it home made a plea for the US government not to forget Austin Tice. The parents of James Foley, Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig, Kayla Mueller, and Steven Sotloff appealed directly to President Obama. Foley and Sotloff were journalists. Kassig and Mueller were humanitarian aid workers.

You probably didn’t see those pleas.

“Our hearts are broken and our hope is that our government will do all it is able to bring Austin and all hostages home safely,’’ Kayla Mueller’s parents and brother wrote. “No additional US citizens should have to endure the silence of our country, with that silence filled only by the terrorists holding them.’’

Sotloff’s parents wrote to remind Obama: “You told us in person that if it were your daughters, you would do anything in your power to bring them home. We implore you: Bring Austin Tice home.’’

From New Hampshire, Diane and John Foley wrote: “Mr. President, after the horrific executions of our son James Foley and the other courageous Americans, you agreed with us that America could do better. We are counting on you to keep your promise by bringing Austin Tice home before you leave office.’’

Kassig’s parents, Ed and Paula Kassig, said their pain would be lessened if Tice was brought home.

“Austin’s parents do not give up,’’ they wrote. “The United States government must not give up.’’

Tom Brennan believes the fact that so few Americans know about Austin Tice says as much about the state of journalism as the state of the nation.

“War isn’t an easy topic to explore,’’ Brennan said. “Trauma complicates the storytelling process and makes reporting that much more difficult and emotionally taxing. Even veterans want to forget war. That’s what we have in common with civilians. That doesn’t mean we can’t at least talk about it.’’

Forgetting war is understandable.

Forgetting Austin Tice is unconscionable.

Kevin Cullen is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at cullen@globe.com