Posted on 07/02/2002 6:57:19 AM PDT by TADSLOS
Editor's Note: As the Fourth of July approaches, three Fort Leonard Wood soldiers explain what it¹s like to be in the military post-Sept. 11.
I gave up my freedom to protect yours
What does it mean to be in the military and to serve my country? It means sacrifice. Since I began my adventure with the Marine Corps in January, I’ve sacrificed many things. The most important is my freedom.
I’ve sacrificed a lot of freedom to become one of the few, and my girlfriend keeps asking if it’s worth it for someone who holds it so dearly to give up so much. My answer is yes, most definitely. Because I cherish my freedom so much, I cannot allow others to just give it to me. I have to do my part.
I grew up in a semimilitary family. My grandfathers were World War II veterans, my father was a Vietnam veteran and my brother was a Gulf War veteran. It was natural for me to want to do my part. When high school graduation came, I said sign me up. But nothing is ever that uncomplicated. I found myself down a different road — college.
During college I gave up on the idea of serving my country through military service. I told myself — convinced myself — that it just wasn’t me. But when I graduated, something inside of me wasn’t right. I was supposed to be ready for life, for marriage and for a family, but I realized I was decidedly unready.
I pictured myself married with a family and just could not accept the fact that I was living on freedom purchased by the blood and suffering of so many more courageous than I. I had in effect turned my back on their suffering. I wanted to be a serviceman, a Marine, but I wasn’t willing to pay the price. That flaw in my character got to be so glaring that I couldn’t look myself in the mirror, let alone raise children.
That’s why I decided to give up all those civilian comforts so my sacrifices will provide my countrymen with the freedom that is so important to me. I realize now that was the main reason my forefathers served, fought and died was so their sacrifice would prevent their children from sacrificing so much. It is my hope and prayer that the sacrifices of my generation will preclude my children from sacrificing their freedom and their lives for the freedom of those they cherish.
Pfc. Andrew C. Hollis is from Dayton, Ohio.
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Sept. 11 attack left me no decision but to join
I am proud to be an American. We live in the greatest nation on Earth. We have so many freedoms and nice things that Americans take for granted. Many Americans believe that it should just be their right to walk free, dress the way they want, live in the house they want and feel safe when they let their kids go out to play. Many of the small yet important things in life are taken for granted. All too many times we Americans forget about the men and women who gave their lives to give us those freedoms.
Every American today owes a debt to their country for the freedoms they enjoy. When a threat comes against our nation, each and every American needs to stand up and protect what we have fought for so many years to build. It is an honor to serve in the armed forces. Each and every branch has its special place and all are needed to keep us safe. The Marines couldn’t do it without the Air Force; the Air Force couldn’t do it without the Navy. And we would all be in trouble without the Army.
I myself joined the Missouri Army National Guard. The National Guard gives you the freedom to serve your country as well as being able to stay right in your hometown. I fought with the idea of joining the Army for a while, but after Sept. 11 there was no doubt in my mind what I wanted to do.
I was upset, confused, mad and shocked all at the same time that day. I couldn’t believe that someone would come in to our country and do something so awful. But no way was I going to stand by and do nothing.
So I joined the Army National Guard to do my part and now I find myself here in Fort Leonard Wood training to be an engineer. I believe it was the best choice I ever made.
It is an honor to represent the red, white and blue, to be a protector of the greatest nation on Earth. I will always stand proud when the colors are raised and our nation’s national anthem is played. I hope that by serving my country I can be an inspiration to others to do the same.
Each and every one of us needs to take a stand and protect our nation. I am proud to be an American.
Pvt. 2 Tammy Brown is from Rolla.
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It's my turn to defend American freedom
To be an American to me is one of the things I appreciate the most about life.
An American is a free person who has rights and privileges that many people in the world do not experience. It saddens me to think about the war- and poverty-stricken places in the world that are under control of unfair and cruel dictatorships.
Not only am I proud to be an American, but I am also proud to serve in the U.S. Air Force. I am proud of this because it is my job to defend the United States, the U.S. Constitution, the American flag and the American people.
I take pride in this because I am not the only one doing this. Everyone in the military is defending this country. My father and grandfather both served, and by serving I am making them proud.
Our freedom was threatened from the very beginning. If it were not for the people like me, my brothers and sisters in the military and those who served before us, we would probably not be Americans. But because of those people who defended us, we are Americans. Because we are Americans and we take pride in that, we are the land of opportunities, of freemen and the American way of life.
I am proud to be an American and proud to defend my fellow Americans. What more to be proud about than the millions of Americans who have defended our country over the years? We should not forget about the thousands of people who lost their lives, who had pride and lost their lives serving our country so that younger generations could grow up to be Americans.
I am from one of those generations and it’s now my turn to defend America so more generations of Americans can grow up.
Airman George D. Moore III is from Philadelphia.
Don't want to be a bummer, but shouldn't this college graduate be more than a PFC?
I don't know the details in his case. He's most probably becoming a Marine Military Policeman or Combat Engineer. The USMC sends their marines to Fort Leanord Wood for specialized training in those fields.
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