[Prodigal Son]

Well, I do worry because I have all of these boys.

Well, tell 'em not to join the military if you're that worried. Nobody's going to force them. I personally didn't care if my folks worried about me or not when I was in. It was what I wanted to do with my life. If I got killed- oh well. That's seriously how I felt about it, my life, my decision. I can certainly understand if some people don't want to get involved in the military, but then- they don't have to.

Red Storm Rising was a good book. But I recall it being about World War Three. There's no more Soviet invasion of Europe to worry about. It was fiction anyway. You want an outstanding book that chronicles how real citizen soldiers served and felt about serving- and not just serving but knowing they would likely be killed? Read "Band of Brothers" by Stephen Ambrose. I think that book should be required reading in High School. America lost something when that generation passed the mantle on to the baby boomers.

[Jeff Chandler]

America lost something when that generation passed the mantle on to the baby boomers.

 

We boomers rejected that mantle in favor of tie-dyed t-shirts.

[widowithfoursons]

Well, I will read "Band of Brothers' upon your recommendation. What you forgot in your response was the lottery/draft during Vietnam. There WAS force to join the service then (except for folks like Clinton who lied, and beat the system). I remember how all mothers feel about sending their sons to war (except for those sick mothers who consider Jihad a ticket to paradise). Women historically hate war. We don't like to see our sons and husbands die.

[widowithfoursons]

PS "Red Storm Rising" was about WWII.

[willyone]

Actually with the Chinese acquiring Sunburn missiles some of the events in the book are possible. The Sunburn is a big threat. There is much concern about it and not much that can be done at the present time to defend against it.