I’ve always looked up to those in military service. They’re the best of the best and amazing at what they do. It’s easy to pass liberals, libertarians, anything other than republicans really, off as anti-military, which isn’t the case at all. I have the deepest respect for those that have signed up to do the job of protecting us. No matter what issues I take with the government that sends them, the military have my sincerest gratitude.
I’ve known quite a few people that have gone in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. Most of them come back different. Not bad, sometimes slightly bitter at the conflict, but different. Yesterday was something else though. One of our mechanics at work is a Reserve. He was called up about 9 months ago, served in Iraq and has recently come home. While still on active duty, he dropped by yesterday to say hi to all of us. I was never close to him before, just an occasional “hi”, or “thanks for your help”, but when he got back yesterday I didn’t get that bitter soldier feeling from him that I’ve gotten from others. Don’t get me wrong, a solider has right to be bitter, but he wasn’t. He was gladly serving out his time and seemed genuinely gratiful for the ability to serve. He didn’t talk much of his time there (we had gotten updates all along), but the way he carried himself was so professional, so refreshing, I couldn’t help but to look up to him. He had seen the worst, and now he’s back, fulfilling his other job without a second thought.
Seems to me like that is the mentality that we want in our soldiers. People who have other lives, who when called on to serve, will serve without hesitation, and when they’re done, return to business as usual gratiful for the opportunity to serve their country. That is what makes America great.
Thank you to all of our men and women who serve, for risking it all to protect us and our future. Happy Memorial Day.
-n
