And at the risk of sounding too political, why the hell is it legal to burn our flag now? How many soldiers have died so we can do that! I missed that one.
I have served my country for fifteen years now and I agree with you Nick on this one. Seeing anyone put our flag into flame enrages me but I get boiled even more when I see it back home. What I tell myself though that the destruction of the symbol by practicing the ideals it represents does have a value. I physically would be unable to do that to the flag, hell, I can't even let it touch the floor/ground without making a dash for her to prevent it from happening but the ideal that the people have the right to protest and petition is what she symbolizes. There is a tremendous value that the people of a nation can hold their elected officials accountable and enforce change through the vote IF the citizenry chooses to do so. That is something that is honorable and is worth preserving and ensure it lasts.
I'll be thinking about my Grandfather and Dad. Papa did 31 years in the Infantry; WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He was also the most gentle soul I've ever known. He died two days before I was awarded my Blue Cord for graduating from Infantry AIT. My father was Army for 22 years, with 3 tours in Vietnam. I have a picture of the two of them together in Vietnam. I can only hope to do my family proud.
For what its worth, you will do your family proud. Take pride in what you do; if you supervise troops then make sure they have every opportunity so that you set them up for success and stand up for them if you think they are being set up for failure. Lead by example and help the person to the left and right of you. You already recognize the path we follow of great people before us. I think it is safe to say that your family is already proud.
I would like to throw a poem up as a show of respect and remembrance. Most people subscribe politics when talking about the military but the people have served knows that the choice of politics is a luxury they cannot have when they deploy in support of their nation.
The bugle echoes shrill and sweet,
But not of war it sings to-day.
The road is rhythmic with the feet
Of men-at-arms who come to pray.
The roses blossom white and red
On tombs where weary soldiers lie;
Flags wave above the honored dead
And martial music cleaves the sky.
Above their wreath-strewn graves we kneel,
They kept the faith and fought the fight.
Through flying lead and crimson steel
They plunged for Freedom and the Right.
May we, their grateful children, learn
Their strength, who lie beneath this sod,
Who went through fire and death to earn
At last the accolade of God.
In shining rank on rank arrayed
They march, the legions of the Lord;
He is their Captain unafraid,
The Prince of Peace...Who brought a sword.
- Joyce Kilmer
