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June 28, 2005

Proud To Serve

I've been thinking a lot lately about the Goddess' post & commenter Brenda. Go read that first. I'll wait.

As most of you know, my son's a Navy medic. I'm very proud of him, and of his service to our country. So when I read ignorant remarks such as Brenda's "I will bet these people that say we belong over there, their children are not in the service" I can answer with some authority.

Brenda, you whining ingrate. Stuff a sock in it.

First, there's the issue of people who want all the benefits & advantages the military offers, but don't want the responsibilites & risks that accompany those benefits. That really pisses me off. This isn't some freebie government welfare handout. The military actually expects you to do the job for which they've trained you. What a concept....though apparently one that's hard to grasp for those who think the world owes them a living. Guess what? It doesn't owe you jack. You get paid to do a job, you should do your damn job. Even the parts you don't like. That's what responsible grown-ups do.

Second, while I don't think the military is for everyone, for many kids it's the opportunity of a lifetime. For poor or otherwise disadvantaged kids, it's an opportunity to better their lives. For ADHD kids like my son, it's one of the few professions which offer him the structure & discipline that he needs to achieve his full potential. So not only did I encourage him to join, I hope he stays in.

Do I worry about the risk of his being killed? Of course I do. But life's a risky business. Any parent who doesn't understand that each & every time your child walks out your door you may never see him again is either self-delusional or not much of a parent. Your child can be injured or killed anytime, any place. The military has no monopoly on that. You can't keep them completely safe ever. And at some point, you gotta wean 'em from the teat so they can live their own lives as a productive adult.

Then there's the issue of duty. As my son & I discussed before he signed up, this is an opportunity for him to repay a country that's given so much to him and his family. While our country is certainly not perfect, it's a helluva lot better than others I've seen. We've freedoms here that others can only dream of. And those freedoms have a cost, just like everything else.

Which brings me to my last point, the war on terrorism. Iraq's an integral part of that war, which is why I support it. When I see those who are searching for a way to appease the Islamofascists, I'm often reminded of those old sci-fi movies in which aliens land and start blowing up everything in sight. Then some egghead wants to meet with them to talk things over, discover what they want. The meeting occurs, and the egghead soon discovers exactly what the aliens want.

They want you dead.

Islamofascist terrorists aren't much different. Convert or die....preferrably the latter for all us infidels. Our choices right now are limited to fight or die. Not the way I want it. I'd much rather leave them alone to practice their religion or whatever, and have them leave me alone to practice mine.

Unfortunately, we don't have that choice. That's the cold, hard reality of this war. Contrary to what some might say, we didn't start this war. They're not fighting for 'freedom' or their 'rights'. They're fighting to destroy our way of life. Naturally I take exception to that.

And if my son, or daughter for that matter, can contribute to that effort I'm willing to make that sacrifice. I love each of them more than life itself. But there are some things more important than that....things like the freedoms and life we currently have. I believe those are worth fighting for.

And if you are so self-centered that you want to enjoy all the benefits while others pay the price, all I have to say is "Shame on you."

Posted by Rita at June 28, 2005 04:07 AM

Comments

Amen, Rita!

Posted by: Da Goddess [TypeKey Profile Page] at June 28, 2005 05:43 AM

THANK YOU for (a) saying what needs to be said, and (b) your son's service. Give him a crisp *salute* from me!

Posted by: david [TypeKey Profile Page] at June 28, 2005 06:37 AM

Thanks Goddess. Sorry it took me a couple of days to respond. But your post has been on my mind ever since I first read it. Her comments really offended me, but then abject stupidity & selfishness generally does.

You're welcome David, and I'll pass it along to my son. And thank you.

Posted by: Rita [TypeKey Profile Page] at June 28, 2005 06:51 AM

I applaud your stance towards your son, if I disagree with you politicaly.

I served in Iraq I, and am glad I left therafter. I oppose this war for reasons that aren't on topic here. Suffice to say that the notion that Iraq should have been the next target after the Taliban is, in my view, flawed. Now that we're there, we of course have no choice but to stay.

I just wanted to say I applaud your views toward your son.

Posted by: Fsh at June 28, 2005 08:50 PM

Well said. Please tell you son "thank you" from me.

Posted by: Jim - PRS at June 28, 2005 09:07 PM

Fsh, thank you for your service. And I appreciate your civility. Iraq's certainly a topic on which learned minds disagree, as the saying goes. But that doesn't mean we have to be disagreeable about it. And I certainly agree that we need to finish what we've started.

Thanks, Jim. I'll do that. I've a first cousin there as well, a 'kid' I used to baby sit. He's career Navy, looking to retire in a few years. Good Lord, that makes me feel old.

Posted by: Rita [TypeKey Profile Page] at June 29, 2005 03:01 AM