General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Why do we buy into the worship of the military? [View all]Quackers
(2,256 posts)I disagree. There are those who joined in order to protect this country and the people who live here. I was one of them. Im not wanting your support, pity, glorification, or hate. You do you. Ive already done what I intended and do not need any vindication or vilification.
A little about me:
We are at the opposite ends of the demographic spectrum. Im a 37 year old white male. I grew up in Appalachia in a poor family. I am the youngest of four boys. I never planned on joining the Army. As a matter of fact, I started working at 16, met my wife at 18, and was married shortly after. It wasnt long till she was pregnant and we struggled to do our best at life everyday. After she had carried our child for seven months, my wife went into kidney failure. This forced the doctors to perform a C-section, and we welcomed our son into the world. Due to the complications of his early birth, he died in my arms 4 1/2 months later. My wife was on dialysis 3 days a week, until she had a stroke. A year later, she received a kidney transplant but the damage had already been done. Physically, mentally, psychologically, we were both destroyed. She left me.
Why I joined:
After living alone for a while, one day, I decided it didnt seem fair that people were serving in a war, away from their kids and family, while I did nothing except for things that benefited me. I was driving a semi at the time and that same week, another truck driver I didnt know, fell asleep while driving with the cruise control on. He woke up a split second before rear ending me. His semi made it all the way to my passenger side mirror before he overturned. A moment later, his still sliding truck hit a boulder and his cab buckled under as the semi trailer rolled over it. Thats where he died. So in my mind, here I am, alone in the world, my wife was gone, my son was dead, and the realization that I could die along side a highway in the states just as easily in Iraq, sank in. I joined the army that week.
I served for 8 years of my life. I dont regret it. I dont think anyone owes me anything. Just like my other experiences, it is a part of who I am and what I have become today. I dont know if one day, your son will decide to join the military. If he does, he will see his share of racism, misogyny, and unfairness. He will also see camaraderie, respect, and loyalty. He may even find friendship in an old white guy from Appalachia. There is so much more to serving than can be put into words or explained in a conversation. If one day, your son decides to make that choice and serve, just know that there will be people like me who will always show him respect and be thankful for his sacrifice.