Despite over a decade of ceaseless war against terrorism,
fewer than 1 percent of the U.S. population has been on active duty.A smaller share of Americans now serve in the military
than at any point since the era between World Wars I and II, according to a Pew
Research study. In 1975, 70 percent of members of Congress had military service.
Today, only 20 percent do.Thankfully, we live in a time where we at least have a
culture that appreciates our veterans.After Desert Storm, it became fashionable again to
appreciate and praise the U.S. military.Gone was the stigma of Vietnam, when returning service
members didn’t wear uniforms in public lest they be spit on or called
baby-killers. No longer would our service members suffer the disparagement that
Rudyard Kipling wrote of, “For it’s Tommy this, and Tommy that, and ‘Chuck him
out, the brute!’” But it’s “‘Savior of his country’ when the guns begin to
shoot.”The heinous attacks on 9/11 resurrected the flame of
patriotism that had faded in the hearts of so many Americans. Flags resting
dormant in closets came back out to be displayed proudly and demand for new
flags skyrocketed. The nation came together in a way not seen since Pearl
Harbor—first in grief, then in resolve.We saw acts of selfless courage, first by firefighters
and police officers risking their lives to give aid, then by service members who
sallied forth into harm’s way to impose retribution for the attack. Even when
people criticized the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, they still praised the men
and women who volunteered to serve in the military.“Thank your for your service” seems such a pitifully
inadequate acknowledgement of gratitude and respect for someone who spends
months away from their loved ones, who endure hardships and dangers that
ordinary people shirk from. And what can one offer to the families of those who
gave the last full measure of devotion by sacrificing their lives to defend
us?We who benefit from their service should honor it by
urging our government to provide the funding to enable the military to carry out
its missions. And provide the medical care for those returning home wounded in
body and spirit.From the old veterans bent with age to the young men now
hunched over in a cold, dark foxhole, perhaps you can stand a little straighter
today, knowing our nation is forever indebted to you. As George Orwell wrote,
“People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand
ready to do violence on their behalf.”Still, the current administration continues its attack on
the Constitution and our Founding documents. The current administration
obviously believes the voting public to be "stupid". This is exhibited not only
in the comments of Jonathan Gruber but in the ridiculous denials of the Pelosi
and the Obama that, against solid evidence to the contrary, they have no idea
who Gruber is or was. All of this subterfuge while our service men and service
women are fighting for our Nation around the world. All of this subterfuge while
our Veterans are fighting the administration...in its Veterans Administration
iteration...to be seen and treated--denied of their contractually promised
medical benefits.I would suggest that 90% of our problems can be solved by
Preparation H rubdowns to select politicians of the left wing. Our problems
would shrink and, as the hemorrhoids shrink, we would experience
relief!!! Jim Morris
