What did you do when America was attacked?

TownHall.Com ^ | December 20, 2006 | Mike McBride

[Mr.Atos]

Hugh Hewitt asked this question recently, as a by-product of a discussion that evolved during an appearance at Biola University. His point was that in 2028, for those running for public office, the answer to that question may prove pivotal to their chances of getting elected. That question splinters the conversation into a few directions…why serve?...will it make a difference in my future?...how will it separate me from my peers?...and to Hugh’s larger question…how will I be perceived if I do, or don’t, serve?

I’ll deal with the last question first.

Guy Sajer, in his excellent book, Forgotten Soldier... a recounting of a French citizen’s conscription into the German Wehmacht, because of his mother’s German heritage, interestingly opens with his observation…that upon his return to France after the war…he never met a man his age that had not served in the French Resistance. His inference was that this was a mathematical improbability, and that a large preponderance of the male population in France, were abject liars about their service to their country.

A credible recounting of the Resistance movement can be found in Raymond and Lucie Aubrac’s account…The French Resistance 1940-1944. This accounting will support Sajer’s inference that few actually served in the Resistance, thus many Frenchmen must have been lying about their participation in resisting the German occupation. Lies, that by their very nature, are intended to mislead the listener as to the bravery of the teller…his selflessness, his courage under fire, his audacity, his sense of purpose, his coolness under pressure, his service to his country or a higher good, his physical hardships endured, and the mental challenges that accompany the depravities of war. When combined, these lies are designed specifically to elevate the stature of the teller in the eyes of all.

B.G Burkett’s Stolen Valor will greatly reinforce Sajer’s simple observation, in regards to service exaggeration among our own Vietnam era veterans and, incredibly even, non-veterans. It seems that when faced with Hugh’s question…What did you do when America was attacked? Or …What did you do when your country asked for your service? Apparently there are significant numbers of people who do little or nothing, yet they feel compelled to behave as if they contributed in a meaningful way. Or more plainly put…lie about their service to this country.

I would set the standard in this way…if you will routinely visit a national cemetery. Always shake the hand, or stump, of an injured vet and thank them for their sacrifice when you seen one. And always firmly state your reason for not serving, while NEVER making an artificial excuse as to why you didn’t serve. And be able to NEVER say, imply, infer, that you did serve, when you didn’t…then not serving may be a good choice for you. For when asked, you will be able to give a credible, conscience backed answer that you can, and must, live with. Seems a lot of people can’t…(VVA article about rampant impostering…including reference to many Civil War imposters).

Just be prepared to choke on your “justification” when you stand in the middle of the Gettysburg National Battlefield. Or visit Arlington National Cemetery. Or visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. These sites and hundreds more across this land and across the globe, pay tribute to the solemnity of the sacrifices millions have made for our freedoms. Visit these sites and you will feel the gravity of that sacrifice. A sacrifice made so that a preponderance of our citizens can live free from fear and sacrifice.

Measure your choice against the enormity of that, then swallow hard.

As long as you don’t diminish the service of others; fabricate or exaggerate your contributions; and are comfortable with your decision, in light of those who have sacrificed so much; then not serving may indeed be an appropriate choice.

To repay this country for the freedoms it has afforded you, your ancestors, and your offspring. To share the in sacrifices that are required to keep this country free…sacrifices being made every day by others unknown to you and your family. To measure up to other men of your generation, and previous generations, who have endured hardship and sacrifice. To learn teamwork, leadership, courage, conviction, honor, camaraderie, brotherhood. To “set” your mettle early in life. To travel the world, and learn from direct experience. To do, rather than to watch.

Will it make a difference in my future?

If you think keeping a clear head in combat will help you keep a clear head in business. If you think that leadership is more valuable than management. If you think that learning to adapt, and to overcome challenges will help you in life. If you think that hard work and discipline will help in a competitive business environment. If you think that people respect selflessness more than selfishness. If you think that being responsible for others’ lives will help you be a better boss. If you think that learning to give and receive orders will help you be more successful at work. If you think that learning how to reward those who work for you for their efforts is a good thing. If you think that being a doer rather than a watcher will make a difference to an employer. If you think that respecting yourself and your accomplishments will make a difference in the rest of your life.

How will it separate me from my peers?

Your peers will have never endured the physical hardships that you will endure on a daily basis…you will be harder, and tougher. You will have seen many things first hand…the world itself; third world poverty, deprivation, and corruption; laziness and excuse making; heroic achievement and self sacrifice; excellent role models and moral examples; organization and efficiency…all things that your peers will only read about at college, or never experience at home…you will become a realist. You will come to recognize and admire qualities in other men/women that you had not previously understood. You will not be deterred by challenge. You will excel under pressure. You will become a judge of men and their character. You will immediately recognize bulls**t when you hear it…you will come to despise it. You will learn to tell the truth…always. You will have integrity and character…always. You will respect the accomplishments of quiet, modest men. You will become…indeed, an adult…many of your peers will never clear this hurdle.

I owe all of my successes to my time spent with my wonderful comrades in the Corps… ‘nuff said.

I spent a lot of time on the impostering aspect of this question for one simple reason…when having served seems to become admired and respected, and possibly a ticket to some future endeavor…the imposters will come out of the woodwork. So to those who choose not to serve…don’t dare claim that you have. Live with your decision, but always respect the sacrifices made by those that have. Don’t claim their glory for your own.

[Mr.Atos]

Michael E. McBride retired as a Major from the Marine Corps and blogs with Dueler and myself over at My Sandmen... Portland, Oregon's most notable Blog of Reason.

http://mysandmen.blogspot.com.

[Mr.Atos]

Ping

[kilowhskey]

There is a second essay by Major McBride in which he offers some insights into why guys like his brother and Pat Conroy who chose not to serve. That piece, soon to be seen here, gives a good explanation of "those other guys."

[Peter Libra]

From the text.

Guy Sajer in his excellent book, Forgotten Soldier.... he never met a man his age that had not served in the French Resistance.....that a large preponderance of the male population in France, were abject liars about service to their country.

I routed out my long dormant copy of The Forgotten Soldier. Ballentine Books. New York. NY.1967. The civilized behaviour of Sajer's final interrogator shines through. Ah yes, says he-"Your mother". Sajer gets a pass into freedom.

I am somehow reminded of a Jewish chap who re visited Austria. He exclaimed somewhat cynically that "everyone has their Jew". He meant that every one hid a Jew during the occupation by the Germans, or so they said.

I have a chuckle at my fellow Londoners. They and their rattle of Bofors guns, shrapnel raining all around. House next door blown to smithereens. Well I suppose they are entitled.

There are those that really know about their sacrifice in that war. They are conspicuous by their reticence on the subject. They have my respect and thanks.

[ASOC]

Nice enough post, but I would note that not everybody has to die to have filled this version of "serve".

Milton points out - "They also serve who only stand and wait" -- the quote may be and usually is misinterpreted.

Another author gets it much more accurately. In the 1951 book by Herman Wouk, The Caine Mutiny, a pivotal section brings up the point

"When I was studying law, and Mr. Keefer here was writing his stories, and you, Willie, were tearing up the playing fields of dear old Princeton, who was standing guard over this fat, dumb, happy country of ours, eh? Not us. Oh, no! We knew you couldn't make any money in the service. So who did the dirty work for us? Queeg did! And a lot of other guys, tough, sharp guys who didn't crack up like Queeg"

Service in peacetime (after Korea, I don't know how much of that we had) was viewed as poorly paid, boring and of little value. Today, many citizens view service in our armed forces in much vein, Jon Carry aside.

Doesn't matter when you served, or where you served, a vet has shown by their actions that they are willing to place duty before self, and Nation before family/friends/etc.

So for the Coastie changing batteries in a bouy on a cold and wet morning, to the solitary radar maintenance tech pulling a PM routine at midnight on a mountaintop in Korea, for all service personnel worldwide

Merry Christmas. And THANK YOU.

[Mr.Atos]

Certainly! I know Mike would agree, as do I.

[Salem]

I read this one at MySandMen when I noticed the traffic to my site, Mr.Atos. Thanks for the link. I stop by frequently to see what new literary work you and the crew are sculpting with the English language.  

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[cll]

Excellent post.

[ASOC]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

Next time I post this type of reply, I'll proof it better so it will at least seem to have been written by a literate person.

My English teacher is still rolling her eyes.

[Scotsman will be Free]

Excellent post. During the past 35 years I have only met one Vietnam vet who did not claim to have been a grunt out in the bad bush.

[kalee]

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