Veteran's day shout out to those who sacrificed to protect and defend.
November 12, 2014 at 12:11 am
(This post was last modified: November 12, 2014 at 12:14 am by Whateverist.)
Probably something I heard on the radio got me thinking about it. I've never been 'patriotic' but when I was of age I was really torn. On the one hand I was really repulsed at the thought of shooting people I didn't know. But on the other I felt strongly that if I didn't do my duty it would fall to someone else who deserved it no more than I. I was fortunate not to have to choose given a high draft number.
But there is something -dare I say it- "good" about the motivations of so many people who serve in the armed forces. There is something nobel about sacrificing in order to protect and defend your kin and countrymen. For most it isn't a career path and neither does it benefit their future employment. They risk everything and receive so little in return. They certainly deserve our respect, our gratitude and our support to regain their wholeness when they return.
You can question the motives of the old gas bags who send young men into harm's way for, but not the motives of those who serve. People like Cheney and Rumsfeld make me sick. But the grunts get all my respect even though I'd prefer not to take them up on their willingness to sacrifice.
But there is something -dare I say it- "good" about the motivations of so many people who serve in the armed forces. There is something nobel about sacrificing in order to protect and defend your kin and countrymen. For most it isn't a career path and neither does it benefit their future employment. They risk everything and receive so little in return. They certainly deserve our respect, our gratitude and our support to regain their wholeness when they return.
You can question the motives of the old gas bags who send young men into harm's way for, but not the motives of those who serve. People like Cheney and Rumsfeld make me sick. But the grunts get all my respect even though I'd prefer not to take them up on their willingness to sacrifice.
