A Moment of Reflection

This post will be a radical departure from my usual.

I just finished watching "Band of Brothers." I've already seen "The Pacific," and movies like "Windtalkers," and "Saving Private Ryan."

It strikes me here in the early morn that these men who were in battle in both the European and Pacific theaters have experienced things that no person should have to go through. And they did it with stoicism, valor, courage, and honor. The emotional and mental trauma they endured for months and years on end is something that today's modern man just cannot understand. They fought not because they had bloodlust, but because they had to; because sometimes that's the only way to stop evil.

World War II is called the "last great war." I think there's a lot of truth to this, but the way I've heard it talked about seems to invalidate the service and sacrifice of those who served in Korea, Vietnam, in Bosnia, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and all the places in between in the last 60 some years. I hope that is not the case because while the veterans of WWII do deserve a special place in the hallowed halls of time, our men and women who currently serve and who have served since then also deserve our appreciation and respect.

I am saddened when I think of myself next to a soldier and realize that I am the lesser man. I wish I could see myself in a uniform, but I know it's not the life for me; it's too honorable a calling, and I feel I am too much a coward.

We do not have the right to criticize, judge, ridicule, or belittle them. Those acts are best served for the governing bodies that send these people to war-they are the ones who make those decisions. Soldiering is an honorable profession and a person in uniform should be respected for their decision. Please join me in thanking those that serve whenever you come across them. As someone who has an older sibling in the Army, I can tell you that they appreciate it.

Will you join me in thanking those that give so much...and sometimes, give it all?