25 Years Ago

Twenty five years ago I today I was sleeping in a basic training barracks on an USAF base in San Antonio Texas. I didn't know it at the time but I was about to embark on a life changing experience that would shape my morals and character for the rest of my life. It is difficult to make those who have never served this country understand the indelible imprint that even a short time in the military leaves upon your life. Let alone spending the numerous years I have.

The first and most lasting lesson that is driven into your psyche is that you are part of something larger than yourself. You begin to realize that your performance directly impacts the welfare of those around you. That the choices that you make effect positively or adversely the ability of your unit to accomplish its purpose. You face the epiphany that there is more to your existence that simply yourself.

It really fires me up that uniformed foolish people in this country suggest that this bad, that is a form of "brainwashing". It amazes me that that these individuals are oft times people who have served nothing but their own self interest all their lives. Therefore I don't harbor ill of them I actually pity them. They have no idea how liberating and rewarding it is to put the good of the many before the good of the one.

This nation used to be a nation of people that did just that. But, I fear that our generation has lost its way in respect to that. We no longer look at ourselves as what we can contribute; conversely it appears to be only what we can take. Americans are becoming selfish, and that is very saddening.

The selfishness and self centeredness of this nation will be our undoing. The only people on the face of the earth with power to destroy America are Americans. A self fulfilling prophesy if the present trend does not change. If we don’t wake up and realize what I realized twenty five years ago today.