My paternal grandfather (pictured at left) served during WWII in the South Pacific in the Army's searchlight and radar units. My maternal grandfather served in the Army in the Pacific during the Korean War.
My Dad also served our country as a Navy Seabee during the Vietnam War.
My Dad also served our country as a Navy Seabee during the Vietnam War.
Monique's maternal grandfather escaped Nazi Germany, joined the U.S. Army, and returned to Europe where he served in Army Intelligence during WWII, and helped liberate Dachau. Her paternal grandfather served as a midshipman in the Navy on the Battleship New Mexico.
From our families to yours, we wish you and all the vets out there a very Happy Veteran's Day!
From our families to yours, we wish you and all the vets out there a very Happy Veteran's Day!
I would like to take a moment to reflect on the era of my time in military service in light of today. This is not a commentary on the Vietnam War we unfortunately experienced. However, there is some relevant information and statistics we could consider 40 years later.
I wish to stop here to give THANKS to President Obama for yesterday giving his outstanding tribute to each fallen soldier. And that all generations who have given themselves are equally Heroes. I know every vet of each era would agree.
That brings me to the personal value placed on service. During the years of a peace time military (a term much too short sided) very few young adults in post-high school and higher education by and large put personal reward in taking a few years to serve their country. At the beginning of the 1970s this began to wane, losing a sense of value. Along side military service, and just as important, is the Peace Corps. Abolishing the draft has since become debatable. As has some of the military cut backs and closers of the 80s. Coat containment especially in appropriations was long over-due. Value budgeting and containment could have logically been done without the dismantling and base closures that took place under short sightedness driven by false information.
Let’s look at some factors comparing then and now. Some things not discussed about the status quo of the 1950s & 60’s is that young men without the guidance to develop goals and a life plan could go into the military, learn self and corporate discipline, basic personal life skills and confidence (not a trained killing machine), all earning an income and paying taxes in the process. When done, those who didn't chose a military career could go on having learned a technical skill and find a productive career. Among some who were reluctant to go were people who had no life references or sense of self worth.
Those who chose military service often found a life with focus, instead of chaos, and a sense of purpose away from bad influences. That is why some wise judges would give an option of jail or the Army.
That leads me to the statistic. The prison population at that time was 1/3 per-capita the number it is today. With many more tax payers in the same demographic than we have today. We were told the economic cost to communities of base closures would be offset elsewhere. That didn't happen. Not having a standing militarily when we needed it (G-d forbid) has cost us dearly. The cost of using our reserve forces has cost us more by removing them from our tax base then the cost maintaining ready personnel. The costs of FEMA have been double the cost compared to when we use the reserves during disaster readiness and relief. One of the partial base closings was the Seabee base at Gulf Port, Miss., where one of the hurricane readiness centers was located. It took FEMA the time to work red-tape that historically took the reserves to be engaged in on the ground rescue and emergency clean-up. Today, are we the best we can be? Are we doing the best we can do?
Pray for our troops including there families.
Thanks again Reb Josh, and Monique.