Moose's Militia: It's time to give the National Guard some respect

Opinion Journal ^ | 11/01/2002 | editorial board

[Pokey78]

Thanks to television's coverage of the sniper shootings, there can scarcely be a corner of America that is not now familiar with the face of Charles A. Moose--the Montgomery County, Md., police officer who finally got his man. Less well known is that Chief Moose also answers to Maj. Moose, as an officer in the District of Columbia's Air National Guard.

[Utah Girl]

Ping

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

National Guard bump!

God Bless the men and women of the Army and Air Guard. They are not appreciated for the duel occupation that they perform. Many are prior military from all branches of the military, yet they are considered the bastard child of the Armed Forces.

Many are serving rotations in counties all over the world, some for as long as six months. Meanwhile their families sit home without support from the community, their church, friends, and co-workers. Many in this country are ignorant of the demands that this sacrifice places on the spouse and the rest of the family. They are unaware of the huge financial, emotional, physical and mental burden this creates on these families.

Most of these families do not have the traditional support system in place that the regular military units have available. This is due to the fact that their members may live as far as several hundred miles or several states away from their home unit.

Tens of thousands were pulled to active duty within hours of 9-11, not knowing if they were going to New York, to the Middle East or staying put in their region. Many will be pulled again to active duty if Iraq does not comply with the inspections.

Talk about unsung heroes!

I will get off my soapbox now.

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

ping