I am a veteran.
Among the cadre of my veteran brothers, I am truly one of the least of them.
I fought in no war, and soldiered in no combat zone. Although I qualified with rifle and was expert with handgun, I carried no pack, nor dodged any bullets during my service to our country.
I volunteered for military service straight out of high school. I joined our country's Air Force with a sense of patriotic adventurism, thinking that I would see some of the world and help to defend our country by assisting in keeping our pilots safely in the air.
It was fully my plan to be a career man.
After successfully completing basic training, technical school and one of the survival schools, my orders carried me overseas. After six months in my new duties I began experiencing severely debilitating back pain. It progressed to the point where a medical exam was ordered and I was Honorably discharged for a pre-existing, service aggravated condition. I served a mere year and half.
So in the context of duties performed and sacrifices made, countless other veterans far out rank me.
But amid the context of the national citizenry, a very different story unfolds. For I am part of a only a certain ten percent.
Recent statistics say that only eleven percent of the citizenry enlist in military service to our country.
In my own personal reflection, I do not see where even ten percent of my graduating class served in a branch of our military. So my patriotic performance would seem to be a rare and special thing.
I say this as no reflection on the character of those who do not serve. Every member of a society has a place to fill; and all of my American brothers and sisters have worked, contributed and raised families as responsibly as they could.
All I'm asking is that every American should please respect and acknowledge the selfless service which all soldiers and veterans make and have made. They've done this in order to protect our way of living, our homes and businesses and to keep our freedoms and liberties safe and secure from tyranny's reign.
Even with the current pay raises that congress has passed, a serving soldier earns less maybe ten dollars per hour for putting their lives completely in the hands of our military; and thus in the way of harm's likelihood.
Some people have argued that soldiers technically make more than just what's in their paycheck. They do, after all, enjoy free clothing, free room, free food and free health care.
Any who have served will smile at the mention of such things. The food is hardly tasty and often cold and packaged, shelters range from bunk-bed dormitories to tents in the desert sands, the clothing comes only in one color and the health care.., well, you've no doubt heard the news.
A rising trend seems to be the hiring of private armies to fight our battles for us.
Something doesn't sit well with me, when we can afford to pay private contractors one thousand dollars (or more) per day, per person, while we can only afford to pay our service folks one hundred dollars per day; or less.
It's likely that recruitment in our armed forces would go up significantly, if serving in the military paid as well, and provided the same level of benefits, as what the private contractors receive.
The majority of folks who have volunteered for service in our military joined from a sense of pride in, or duty to, their country. It would seem only fair that they should be as well compensated for their work as the individuals who contract with the military for profit's sake.
Contact your representatives and ask them to please take care of our veterans.
House of Representatives
The United States Senate
(links should open in a new window)
I salute my serving brothers and sisters.
Happy Veteran's Day!!
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11 November 2007
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Bill's Spirit is honored to have been selected as a member of Gather's "Election 2008 People's Press Corps".
Bill's Spirit is an Artist, Writer, Poet, Philosopher currently wordsmithing from a humble forge in small town Ohio.
The works of the man behind Bill's Spirit have been published in small alternative and amateur presses since 1986. Before that, they just filled notebooks, took up space on walls and gathered dust in piles and boxes.
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Comments: 44
But when I got here I found I completely agree with you. I'm ashamed of how those serving in our military are treated. I'm with you 100%. Thanks for saying it.
Something I hope all of us will stop to consinder, "every American should please respect and acknowledge the selfless service which all soldiers and veterans make and have made. They've done this in order to protect our way of living, our homes and businesses and to keep our freedoms and liberties safe and secure from tyranny's reign."
Oh man, this makes me so sad, "It's likely that recruitment in our armed forces would go up significantly, if serving in the military paid as well, and provided the same level of benefits, as what the private contractors receive. I also hope everyone here will read and react to the links you've provided.
Thanks for great reminders, Bill. I'd wish for all Americans to heed what you write as one our many American heros, regardless of how you served. You do have the "Spirit" so many of us admire.
PAT IT FORWARD
All of our Military men and women are to be honored this day, and everyday. All of them, whether actively egaged, or here on our on soil, or on a base in some country with little conflict, are trained to protect us. All have special skills, all geared to keep our Country and us, and our families, all in the land, safe. They spend their time in service, ready to answer any call. That is very commendable, and to often, all of our branches, all who serve, are neglected, underpaid, under acknowledged, and only given attention one day a year. This is shameful.
Some, even when they leave active duty, continue to do good works for us, and their brother's and sister's in arms. I loved this article, crisp, honest, and right on the mark.
I will take advantage of the links, but I visit many Military sites frequently. It is the least I can do to keep up with their needs. There are several sites that give daily, links you can go to, to sign petitions for them and policies that will help them. I loved your point about contractor's. GWB , and a few of our candidates should read this reasoning that rings of truth.
I appreciated this, and it has stoked my "fire" that burns for the Veteran's of this country, And Bill, thank you for serving, all Military jobs are important, and thanks to Charles, also, and all our Veterans on Gather, for the job you do, or did, and for keeping "the Watch", over us, that has given us our way of life. God bless you all.
My feeble attempt to honor our soldiers, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, is in a story I am writing called "Two Friends" . I am working on projecting a lot of thoughts thru this, things to think about. I hope I did well. My son served in Bosnia and Kosivo, and my husband in Viet Nam. I truly hope all of our soldiers are thought of in way this week-end, and everyday. And in all ways, they more than deserve it. Ellen B
(Give it time to show up and thanks again for a great article!)
PAY IT FORWARD
Like all Veterians I am no hero, I'm a man who did what he was told to the best of my ability. The people here at home who never served that paid their taxes and supported us are as much heros as anyone. It takes a Country of all kinds of people to preserve freedom and the American Way.
I have indeed written to both the rep and the sen...but I think they're used to seeing my name...so it may not count for much! LOL! However, if only everyone who reads this might send in the email to their congresspeople, what a fine impact that would (might) make. I have also put it on my calendar, every two weeks, to resend a communique to my "betters." Vet's day, they may receive a lot of comm, but if they get them steadily, perhaps they will really start listening.
What you did today, you do for brother and country. There is no higher goal than this. Thank you, sir.
Wilka
You served in the same way I did. We kept a strong presence on the world stage. We were a credible force and were dedicated to the national interest.
It was an honorable duty, and the pay, for a Private, in 1960 was 85 dollars a month.
Charles Thiesen - I'm glad I could surprise you.
It is my heartfelt belief our country's patriotism, as manifested through government action, should include taking the absolute best care of every member of the citizenry who serves in our military; especially in a time of war.
Renda - Thank you. I'm glad you liked this.
Donald H. - Thank you for the praise and acknowledgment. Thank You even more for your service.
Denise B. - I couldn't agree more!
Kathy W. (Wilka) - Every voice helps to make a difference. Thank you for continuing to exercise yours. We can hope and pray that our actions will effect the decisions and courses our government will make and take. Our veterans deserve to be well taken care of. Thank you for your support.
Virtute Alisque! - On Wings With Courage
Karl Leuba - Thank you for your service. I had wanted to join the Civil Air Patrol when I was in high school but a viable opportunity never seemed to present itself. With the back condition I was discovered as having, I never could have been a pilot anyway. It was, however, a great honor to serve; and I greatly enjoyed working with pilots and around their aircraft. One of my greatest memories from my service was kicking the pilot's butts on the foosball table we had in the flight-line lounge.
During my service, there also was no GI Bill. As I recall, my pay in 1980 (E-3) was less than $500 per month.
You and I have butted heads on various issues here on Gather; but on this one, you and I stand shoulder to shoulder.
As one vet to another, thank you for your service and thank you for this article.
And, to all our comrades, I also offer my sincere appreciation to all of you for your service to our country.
I graduated high school in 1977. With no ongoing war, I joined the National Guard and served in the 116th Combat Engineer Battalion. Like you I am haunted by my brothers who saw combat while I did not, but the experience of standing up for my country is one I'll cherish forever.
I was Civil Air Patrol for 4 years. I enlisted as a Reservist when my husbands Reserve enlistment was up. I only stayed 2 1/2 years, as we got permission for me to go IRR so that he could come on Active duty.
But, I trained with the guys, was an expert rifle and grenade woman, and became a Carpenter Masonry Specialist. But was I a Veteran?
According to many, and many active persons to boot, I am not. Go figure!
Thank you for serving! And for even considering Civil Air Patrol!
Dina
This article gathered 18 ten votes before someone came by and slapped a one on it. That might be a new record.
Happy Veteran's Day!!
"It's likely that recruitment in our armed forces would go up significantly, if serving in the military paid as well, and provided the same level of benefits, as what the private contractors receive"_Bill's Spirit
Now let me ask all of you republicans who think that we should PRIVATIZE health, education and social security benefits.
What does privatization do for public services? Decreased wages, decreased morale, decreased consumer or public appreciation.
While our sons and daughters search the scrap piles for armour, the private armies drive the finest armoured vehicles, have the best weapons and they are in country less than half the amount of time.
The private armies are not responsible to the citizens of the United States. They are recruited from many different countries and answer only to the company. They don't care about country or truth or anything except the paycheck and they would practice their trade on us if ordered to.
The stars must have been in alignment 29 years ago...!
Blessed be.
Wilka
Ten unsolicited points from the world's worst connection. Merry whatever you celebrate!