Two or three days ago, a Facebook friend (a veteran) posted words written by her friend, Robert Hale (a veteran). I (a veteran) think Robert makes an important statement. I remember and personally experienced a time when being in military service was not seen as very honorable (Vietnam era). The pendulum has swung—as pendulums are supposed to do, but we must not allow it to get stuck. Contrary to the popular mantra, our freedoms have been won and sustained, not by our military, but, as Robert rightly says, by teachers, politicians, and factory workers, who also serve.
“We've created the illusion that military service is nobler, more honorable, than the other forms of service people are engaged in every day. Everything has become about owing the military for our freedom, it is right to render gratitude but to say these are our heroes, exclusively, is to under appreciate the buttresses of strength and patriotic service rendered by our teachers, judges, politicians, engineers, homemakers, and all other Americans who go about their lives doing the right thing. As a military veteran I am not so full of myself and my experience as to believe I am better than any other fellow citizen. I chose one way to serve, others choose other vocations but the expression is the same. Don't put us any higher on a pedestal than you do the teachers and nurses and civil rights workers... we may have earned your gratitude, but so have countless others.” (Robert Hale)
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