Straight Line of the Day: For me, military service was…
{I’ll begin:}
… not necessary, thus not considered. I don’t like people telling me when to get up and when to run. So I didn’t sign up for those pleasures. But I grew up in the years after Vietnam, and was comfortable and protected by those who did put their lives on the line on the ramparts. Thank you, gentlemen! I could sleep well because you couldn’t.
… unattainable. I couldn’t get into West Point because of major allergies to all kinds of grasses, and the draft was winding down the year I became eligible. I had a fairly low draft number, but was never called.
For me, military service was…
my Dad, WWII vet.
…something I should have pursued. Thanks to those who did.
For Me, Military Service Was… “Sorry, your medical issue makes you ineligible.” Years later in the ER after a motorcycle wreck the Cardiologist nearly hyperventilated telling me about something I had completely forgotten about. smh.
…a gift to me and my family, who sacrificed their time, families and even their lives for mine.
Yes, we have a day to remember our fallen, but they were veterans first.
Thank you to all our Veterans.
For Me, Military Service Was…a learning experience, a valuable one at that. I spent twenty years in the USAF and the very fact that I currently live in the beautiful state of Alaska is due to my being assigned here back in the day. Upon retirement my USAF career field (supply) led to me working for various contractors which allowed me to travel the state and make a pretty decent paycheck. I’ve worked as far north as Kotzabue and as far south as Cold Bay. I have some complaints (who doesn’t after working twenty years for the same company) but overall my military service was very good to me and I am not sorry I made the decision to do the full twenty years for retirement.
Straight Line of the Day: For Me, Military Service Was…
not really a strong wind, but you could feel the draft.
Straight Line of the Day: For Me, Military Service Was…
an adventure!
Straight Line of the Day: For Me, Military Service Was…
the Senior trip I thought I couldn’t afford. (luckily I had a rich Uncle Sam who footed the bill)
For me, military service was… serving in the front lines as a Retail Warrior and telling people in uniform that their money was no good today, here’s your stuff with our thanks, and if you got a problem with it, don’t argue with your superiors. Since we have civilian control over the military and I am a Civilian Puke, I outrank you, so stop arguing and take your stuff before I have to get physical and get my ass kicked.
…a Pleasure. During and After! The skills I learned, even the one’s I can’t use as a civilian. The travel, the people I met and befriended. The one’s I met and ended… still with me. It’s all there with me every day, and I am grateful for all of it. Of all the things I experienced, saw and learned, the greatest was the fact that we are all the same! No matter where you go, you find the people there want the same thing as you do. A nice place to live, even if they have to work the land to make it themselves. Good food on the table, even if they have to grow it themselves. A better future for their children, no matter the sacrifice them have to make for it. It’s the politicians that screw things up for the rest of us. God Bless all my Brothers and Sisters on this, Veterans Day 2020.
For Me, Military Service Was…
“And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.”
I spent 23 years as a tanker in the Army, but never deployed to combat. Yes, I went to Bosnia, Macedonia and Kuwait, but not when bullets were flying. I sometimes think of Shakespeare’s above words when I think about my service.
Just to clarify, I do not disparage anybody who did not serve, that’s just how I feel about myself sometimes. I don’t think military service is the be all and end all of citizenship. Remember, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson didn’t serve in the military, but Benedict Arnold did.
You and I learned many lessons while we were in. Not to judge was one of them. Do you job. Know the job of the man above and below you. Follow the rules and orders. Covering fire… everyone comes home. Combat, or Not… being ready for War, prevents the War!
Welcome Home, Brother!
Sometimes I think Shakespeare was a grunt!
… forced swift maturation.
… invaluable educational foundation.
… pride.
… sorrow.
“I sleep well at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on my behalf.”
Not Rough Men, just your brothers and sisters… Don’t think of us as Rough, or Hardened, or Killers.
When I was stationed in California, before going overseas, the Hara Krishnas, the Peace Loving Buddists that used the LA airport to beg for money to further their cause, would spit on us when we traveled in uniform, and call us baby killers. Scream at us and tell us to burn in hell! We were the “Politically Incorrect” version of our time to most of the anti war movement of the 60’s and 70’s. Yes, it hurt. But we did our job…! We came home to a safer place. A better place. We hold no grudge, nor anger. Honor our Fallen, those of us still here, remember, mostly, the friends that didn’t come home.
I don’t know why, but I always feel uncomfortable when someone tells me “thanks for your service”.
At the time, it wasn’t “service”, it wasn’t hard. It was just what I choose to do. I was trained by those who came before me, and were good at what the did. They trained me to be good at what I did.
It’s not important that I did it. It’s important that our children don’t have to.
I heard a story of Santa Claus once, how he came to a tattered, old home. In disrepair and in serious need. Once inside he found a United States Marine, standing at the ready, rifle in hand, in full combat gear. Santa asked the Marine what he was doing there on Christmas Eve? The Marine replied, ” Work easy tonight, Santa, and Fear Not! We have your Back while you travel. You won’ see us everywhere, but everywhere we are… That is how I sleep at night.
United States Army – when you need to Break things and Kill people.
The United States Marines – When you care enough to kill everyone in sight, and everyone in hiding.
The United States Navy – When it over the horizon and you need to kill it from a distance.
The United States Air Force – Usually refereed to as “The Wrath of God”!
United States Navy Seals, Special Operators – When You care enough to Send The Very Best!
There are reasons no Nation has ever attacked the Mainland of the United States.
See the list above….
I take pride in my service to Our Country. My Brothers, Father, and Uncles service as well.
On 11/11 every year, I drink a bit too much, remember a bit too much, and cry a bit too much.
Veterans are the lineman you knew in English class. The geek in math class. The popular guy that disappeared after graduation. The quiet kid in shop class. The girl in the hallway nobody ever wanted to date. We are all of YOU! Just like you, we go about our lives. Thanks for remembering my friends today… my Dad, and my older Brothers. We fought for the Republic!
A Democracy is 5 Wolves and 4 Sheep voting on what’s for dinner….
Thank God we live in a Constitutional Republic!
…What my dad did as an MP in Vietnam. After that he said the FBI came calling but he didn’t take them up on the offer. As my kids say when they hear that story “Or so he said!”
My brother for many years in the Navy on a destroyer. I hope the reason he doesn’t talk about it was because it was so boring and uneventful. I hope.
“A chance to see the universe,” they said.
I got sand in my shorts on Tattooine, froze my butt off on Hoth, and got bit by a teddy bear on Endor!