Realized I had not posted anything for Veteran's day this year. Looked back at last year's post and wanted to reiterate and expand a bit.
A year later and I still resonate to the idea that, as a soldier, I served under two presidents - Carter and Reagan. Neither on my list of favorites. But I never thought of them except when I saw all the pictures on the walls of my Chain of Command or when training young soldiers who was in their chain of command. I was not training and serving for them. I thought of my my job and the soldiers to my left and right. As I gained rank and responsibility, I thought of those I trained, how I might give them the skills necessary to face the day the nation cashed the blank check each recruit signs.
I know many who are now serving or recently served and have/had no love for the administration they have served or the Commander in Chief at the top of that chain. Still, they trained, some fought, many died - regardless of whether "Whoever that is is not my president". Consider that, if those who serve were like those marching in and blocking the streets, smashing windows, attacking others and burning flags, taking knees for the national Anthem, there would be no flag, no nation, no ideals to which we all aspire, however unsuccessfully. These soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and guardians serve to support not the president of the day, but the ideals of the nation. Some think the only way they can honor the symbols of the nation, is if it is perfect in all respects. Given the impossibility of that. they apparently would have us give it up.
We have to hope that brave souls will continue to see the ideals and aspirations of this nation as worth standing, fighting and dying for and not turn to selfish and self-serving motivations such as taking a knee when they are called.
It is still true.
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