[Jotmo]

Our sons can die in a war but are not able to legally drink a beer. That is nonsense.

Just to point out, that's not entirely true. When you actually join the military, you can consume alcohol.

There were some pretty happy 18 year olds just after we got out of basic training.

[KantianBurke]

“When you actually join the military, you can consume alcohol.”

In 1957 perhaps but in today’s military, underage drinking is punishable under the UCMJ.