Page 97 - A Soldiers Exposition

CODA – EPILOGUE

THANKS FOR INDULGING ME

The experts say: “Talk it through.”

But unless they are a Veteran, they downright do not have a solid point of reference and therefore they do
NOT comprehend.

I wrote only of my experiences in this account. I incorporated the observances of my fellow soldiers and
their families. I provided quotations from other people and I directed you to numerous organizations for
your resource.

When I permit myself to reflect and to use what remains of my critical thinking skills, I know that I did the
right thing when I chose to remain on active duty and serve for twenty-two years. All things painstaking
considered:

IT WAS AN HONOR SERVING MY COUNTRY

I consider Military service an honor. I can think of no greater “service” than that in which a citizen has
taken an oath to support and defend, with his or her life, the American way.

I CONTINUE SERVING BY SPEAKING OUT, SPEAKING UP, AND VOTING

My “tour of duty” began during the time the draft was in effect. It is my opinion that without the draft we
would not have had an extended Vietnam War. The protestors and songwriters were making seemingly
valid points. “Why was it our war?”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protests_against_the_Vietnam_War

Today, the All-Volunteer military: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_VOLAR is at risk of failing mainly
because of the political climate in America.

Our government leaders; NOT leaders; have evolved into a group of self-interested individuals. They can
begin to correct the difficulties we find ourselves in by signing the Congressional “NO” Pledge located in
Appendix I. I encourage all readers to convert the information into an e-mail and send it off to all elected
officials today.

“OUR COUNTRY RIGHT OR WRONG

WHEN RIGHT TO BE KEPT RIGHT

WHEN WRONG TO BE PUT RIGHT.”

Carl Schurz