Random Thoughts
I entered the US Army at 17. I took early retirement at 36. I went from a young soldier with a high school education to a senior non-commissioned officer with five college degrees...and some Doctoral work. Everyone here has touched upon the many great reasons for "serving." The military still ranks extremely high when the public is asked about how the military is viewed.
In the world of X-Games and reality shows there are few ways a man or woman is challenged, few options to make a difference, and fewer still to be counted upon when it counts.
One of the lines I loved from the "Bad of Brother" series was a man who said," I was not a hero but I served in the company of Heroes."
Few things are worthy of the sacrifice of one's life. Family, or course...but what else? I have often talked with men in the twilight of thier life who have told me the defining moment of thier life was military service. It was that experience that set them upon the path of the man they became. I had this conversation with a 72 year old sailor last week. He told me he considered himself a man when he joined the Navy. He did not become one until the Navy made him one.
I now work at the Department of Veterans Affairs. I was hired under a program to insure veterans have opportunities in the government sector. For the last five years I have worked with seriously injured men and women returing from Irag and Afghanistan. These are men and women who are paaralized, suffered bullet, shrapnel, and IED blasts. They tell me often that they would give anything to return to thier unit...and thier buddies. All they want to do is to serve again.
I spoke with a special-forces non-commissioned officer last week. Most of his leg was destroyed by an RPG. Now in civilian life he is looking for what is "next." As I always do, I explaned that nothing in civilian life will compare to riding into combat in a Blackhawk helicopter, low to the ground, taking enemy fire and watching tracers arc towards your position.
There are many reasons to serve. There is a reason it is called service. What else will you do in your life that compares to the oath we all swore:
"To Support and Defend the Constitution Against All Enemies."
Last week I attended a function at one of the casinos. All of the men looked great in their tux. My date asked me to wear my uniform...so I did. We were constantlly approched by people who wanted to thank me for my service. What stood out in my mind was the desk clerk wearing a 101st Airborne Division pin. Her husband had been in Vietnam. She waited at home. There was the bartender who returned from Afghanistan just over a year ago.
The guest of honor was retiring as a surgeon. His entire speech was about being at Khe Sahn (SP) (you Marines will know this place) and how for over 100 days Marines fought (and died) while he did his best to save them.
Google needs programmers. The banking industry needs bankers...but, somewhere, in a strange land, America will always need the "few" who will draw a line in the sand, stand at the wall, and offer,"...the last true measure of devotion."
My headstone will read simply:
Father, Soldier, Patriot
Your son charts his own destiny. Ask him if he is ready to join "our faternity." We welcome those that earn the right....and defend the rest.
