As I probably told you before, I work a couple half days each week at the Military Entrance Processing Station, MEPS, where we do physicals on men and women who want to join our military services.
In early December I saw a young man in his mid-twenties, as we were talking he told me he had a “wonderful life.” “Great!” I replied. “How’s that?”
He told me he had a great job (I can’t remember what he did, factory work, I think.) “I have a beautiful wife, a 2 year old daughter, we own a new house! And, I make enough so she can stay home with our little girl! It can’t get much better than that!”
I agreed, then asked, “Why then, are you joining the National Guard?”
He looked at me like I had questioned his judgement. “I owe it to my country, don’t you think? We wouldn’t be able to what we do, and have what we have anywhere else. I want to do my part to keep it that way!”
I blushed and congratulated him for his patriotism and thanked him for what he was doing.
Last week I saw a young Army recruit (we call them candidates,) who was still in high school, but he stood out from many high school kids. He told me he had never been suspended from school, had had no encounters with the police, didn’t drink, use drugs, or smoke cigarettes (we need to ask about these things to be sure we have the right kind of people to serve and protect us.)
“That’s great!” I told him and added “Looks like you’re just a good, old fashioned, red-blooded, American Boy!”
“Thanks,” He answered. “It’s because my folks believe in discipline, and so do I.”
The next greatest generation is right before our eyes! It is our responsibility as parents to help our kids become men and women, like these candidates, who have enough character to sacrifice of themselves to serve others. Not everyone needs to serve in the military; there are many other noble places to volunteer. If you are an active volunteer they, no doubt, will be just like you!
If you know someone serving in the military, thank them for their sacrifice! Clap them on the back and ask what you can do for them and their family.
Like I tell all the candidates when they leave my office: We need more men like you! And, we do!!