Bus Ride Shenanigans

So if you didn't know I ride the Clermont Transportation Bus to and from work everyday.  Most of the time I am the only male adult.  There is one teen, but he usually has his head phones on and is reclusive.  Anyway, today was a dandy.  

The ladies got into a discussion concerning health care and their young adult children.  Then they got onto the topic of the military.  First, if you did not know, I served 8 years in the military, the United States Marine Corps to be specific.  My wife served in the Marine Corps.  I have several friends and family members who served in the Marine Corps.  I also have several friends and family members that are serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Coast Guard.  

These ladies, who never served at all, discussed the deplorable conditions of Afghanistan amongst other things.  I would like to take a moment and discuss this point.  It is war.  It is going to be deplorable. Do we think Vietnam, or Korea, or any other place we've been in conflict could have been better? Moving on...then they discussed recruiters and the empty promises that they make... Next point, there is a contract that is signed by every enlistee.  Read it.  And let me be frank, you sign on the dotted line, there is always a chance you could go to war.  There is always a chance you could go to the front line.  It does not matter if you are War Journalist, a supply clerk, an admin jockey or a military police officer, you signed up to protect and serve the United States of America, that is your duty. Be prepared.

Most that sign up, voluntarily might I add, know this and can comprehend this.  So my point in this rant is this, if you decide that you would like to discuss the happenings of the military, and you have never served personally, think before you speak.  Yes, you may not like what is going on overseas or in the White House, but you didn't volunteer to protect our country no matter what happens in this big world we call home now did you?!  You need to think about the fact that there may be those around you that have.  There may be those who have and lost friends and family members.  There may be those who have lost loved ones as a sacrifice to give you freedom.

We few have volunteered and sacrificed so that the many could be safe and have the freedoms that we have now.  Remember that the next time you are complaining about the recruiter calling, or the conditions overseas.  They volunteered.  Almost 180,000 Americans volunteer each year to protect our borders and our freedoms.  They know the pay isn't great, the benefits are not great, but yet they volunteer.  It's possible that 1 in every 5 people around you have served at one time or another in the military.  

All I am saying, is think before you speak.  You never know who is around you that your conversation may affect.

And not everyone may agree with me...but this is how I feel.