When a soldier, sailor, airman, marine or coastie is asked "Why did you join?" The answer is you. It might be globally correct to say that we joined to protect the Iraqis from Saddam, or the world from BinLaden. But no, deep in our hearts, we joined because we love our country and our country is your boy. Our country is VictoriaG. Our country is every boy and girl and man and woman who has the priviledge to call themselves Americans. I joined because there were tired young men and women already in the thick waiting for relief. My uncles went to VietNam for the same reason. My grandfathers served in WWII and Korea. My brother and I crossed the Atlantic at the same time, he, coming home from the desert and me going to Korea. My stepfather guarded the skies in VietNam and my father protected the homefront in the ATF. I've said it before and I expect it will be on my tombstone . . . if there weren't people like you and your sons and daughters back home, there wouldn't be any reason for us to be out here. Thank YOU for the priviledge. God help me to be worthy.
*HUGS!*