Deserving of respect

This weekend is Armed Forces today. This holiday is celebrated by many countries and I would love to hear about someone you know who you admire in the Armed Forces.

Being a military brat and then spending over a decade working for a defense contractor, I have had the honor and privilege to know many military men and women. As a group, I think no one else is more deserving of our respect and gratitude then those who don our nation's uniforms and sacrifice their time, their talents, their ability to be better paid in a civilian job, and sometimes their life to do duty to God and country. So thanks, Dad, Grandpa and all the others who have at one time or another been part of that military machine which ensures peace and justice for America, and strives to give those same ideals to nations and people around the world.

America has not always given her heroes their proper due. I was reminded of this the other day while watching a rerun from the show Major Dad (love that show!) on Hulu.com. The major is given the task of writing a speech for the troops coming back from Saudi Arabia. He can't get the words right and tries to tell the General that, to which the General responds (paraphrasing): "You've been in combat, son. What did you hear when you came home?" The Major says that an officer boarded the plane, told him VietNam protesters were outside and handed him some civilian clothes to put on. There is silence between the two soldiers, then the General says soberly, "Okay. Give the speech that that young officer should have heard." No matter which side of the political spectrum you land on, be grateful for the soldiers who allow your the freedom to stand on whichever line you prefer.

You can watch the clip here: