2008 Army Signal Ball Manhattan Kansas

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

James, I have tremendous respect for those that have made the sacrifice of serving in this country's armed forces.

But one thing that absolutely sickens me to death is to watch those that have served walking around beating their own breasts about it.

Once a Marine, always a Marine? Sorry, but from where I'm sitting, that was then and this is now. It is what you are doing today that is defining who you are, not what you once did. Welcome back to the world.

A few points with which I do, and do not, agree:

I think we all have profound respect for those who have served in their nation's armed forces. What right thinking person would disparage those who devote their youth, and often their entire life, to defending those liberties which we, in free societies, cherish most?

Most former servicemen and women are exactly like your father; they are proud to have served their country and modest about that service. But, and this is important, most of those individuals you are complaining about have seen little, or no military service. Those who have served their country are as appalled as you are by this boorish behaviour.

In the same way that it would be wrong to be dismissive of the clergy by saying: "Once a priest, always a priest?-- I don't think so, look at the scandals priests are involved with." I believe you have over stepped the mark with your comments: "Once a Marine always a Marine?".

Respectfully, there is a defining moment in every man's life. For the clergyman that defining moment came when he decided to seek ordination. For the soldier that moment came when he decided to enlist in his nation's armed forces.

It is wrong to be disparaging toward military personel for the way military service shaped their life in the same way it is wrong to be disparaging of the clergy because of the way a religious calling has shaped their life. Both make an invaluable contribution to the daily lives of us all.

People are defined not only by their present actions, but by their past actions as well. Past actions determine the direction individuals, as well as societies, will take in the future, and should not be dismissed in a condescending manner.

The line "Welcome back to the world." smacks of a disrespectful cheap shot-- something that was probably unintended when written, but none the less implies, at least to this reader, that your world is the real world and that those who choose to define themselves as former military, and proud of that service, are not a part of that world, and certainly not worthy of respect.

And that "cheap shot" is what I find disagreeable in your posting.

(TO RODGERSON 785 -- and everyone else: I'm sorry that I seem to have been the instigator of this thread being hijacked by the X Marks Orders and Medals Society-- perhaps now we can get back on track? It's either that or move all this stuff to OFF TOPIC or HERALDY and continue the buffeting. --Scott)