Growing Up Army

I feel that I am a very privileged individual growing up with a father in the Army National Guard. Some deal with war in very different ways. I personally feel that it is an honor to serve this great country and while it isn't for everyone, we should all still be patriots. The greatest honor any one American can give to a fallen soldier is to remember. I think that Dilios in 300 put it best: It is in movies that I feel like I can contribute by feeling so passionate about what the actors on screen are portraying. There are a million other movies with the same message to fight for what you believe in and remembers those who have fallen.

Going to the museum today really brought back a lot of familar memories for me. The museum itself smelled of the armory where I spent practically half of my life with my dad. He was never sent off to war himself, but had to send his friends overseas to protect our freedom. A lot of those guys became like family to me, no matter what race they were. In the military, it doesn't matter what color, gender, or ethnicity you are. We all bleed the same color and are all defending the rights of this country.

I have never had to face the loss of a loved one due to war, but I imagine it is pretty difficult. Knowing that they sacrificed their lives for the rest of us is something no other man can achieve. To me, dying while protecting your country is the most honorable way anyone can go. I can feel safe because of those soldiers and soldiers like these:


Obviously, being in the military can be very traumatic and it comes with a price. What I would recommend to anyone thinking of joining is to first decide whether you want a family or not. You would be leaving behind a family if you went off to war and it is important to choose one route or the other. I was very fortunate and my father is retired and happy now. Do I agree with our military and political system? It doesn't matter because I am safe and this is still the land of the free and the home of the brave.