I was in the process of writing a response to Bernhard's myopically opinionated
letter when your responses were posted. You've said everything that I wanted
to say and then some. And you said it much better.
I personally know quite a few people who are currently serving in the various
branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. I heartily agree with your observation that
the reasons for people serving in the military can be as diverse as the people
themselves.
Things have changed considerably since the days when I served. Back then a
big reason for a lot of the people being in the service was conscription (the
dreaded draft, or threat therof). The 'all volunteer' concept that we currently
operate under is probably better, as long as sufficient numbers can be enticed
to join.
I will say though, in retrospect, that the act of pulling a lot of us young heathens
off the streets and out of colleges where we were perpetually flunking everything
(mostly due to heavy-duty partying) was most certainly a life changing event for
the majority of us. It makes much better men and women of those who don't
'flunk out' of the military (and that used to be a really hard thing to do- the
standards are set much higher nowadays). I think one of the causative factors
for the moral compass of the nation generally going south was the draft being
discontinued. The military sure has a great way of shaping up boneheads.
Thank you both, Paul and Doug, for your resounding defense of our nation's military personnel. They are a special breed.
A veteran of the "old" wars (but still ready to go again, perhaps a tad slower
next time),
West Texas Jerry
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[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Good day Folks,
In response to a few of the posts to this thread, and to perhaps address some possible misunderstandings, I feel compelled respond.
Based on my own experiences, I can say without equivocation, or mental reservation, that the reasons men and women join the United States Armed Services are as varied as those individuals themselves. While certainly there are "underprivileged" members of the armed services, and that may have been _a_ reason for their enlistment, it is certainly not a socioeconomic trait shared by all service members. Many service members are drawn to duty by feelings of obligation to their country and their extended families, to educational opportunities both in and after service as well as the opportunity to learn more about themselves and their fellow brothers and sisters around the globe. Military service, at least in the US, is not a panacea for a depressed socioeconomic standing. Military life is often fraught with sacrifice, both personal and financial. There is opportunity, true. Concomitantly, there is risk. Risk of injury or death in times of conflict, risk of physical separation from family and loved ones and risk of being placed in a position where duty conflicts with personal feelings regarding what is right and wrong.
I believe that the "cause of the USA" is a fluid thing. One which swings like a pendulum; often depending on the politics of the day....both within and without the US. The term "freedom" is often bantered about as the "cause" for the US military being in existence. But "freedom" means different things to different people and depends on their mind set. Freedom to a dictator may represent the ability to run "their" country, and to treat "their" people as "they" see fit.........a viewpoint diametrically opposed by others in the world who see it more as an individual right. A right to be safe in one's person, one's opinions and one's beliefs. As long as the inhabitants of our planet have disparate "causes" to champion there will continue to be conflict. Both political and physical.
If we can agree that glorification of members of the military is not the same as glorification of the political motives of the country they serve, then I believe it is appropriate to glorify them. We can recognize those military members for the personal sacrifices they are making; not necessarily for the "cause" they are ultimately serving. Best Regards,
Paul Martyn
Savannah, Georgia
In a message dated 1/7/2004 9:54:29 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
With all due respect for the people serving in the US army: Most of them, I believe, do not join the marines because they want to sacrifice their life for the "cause of the USA" (what's it anyway?), but because it's about the only chance for the underprivileged to get something like social security, education and medical care. There's no need to glorify their service, as little as there is need to ridicule it.
Just my 2c
_____
Best regards,
Bernhard "Rendelius" Rems
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