To anyone who has worn the uniform of this nation, the line between duty and politics is crystal clear. Our military is sworn to defend the Constitution, not political agendas. Thus individuals condemning the military are simply displaying mind-boggling ignorance of our nation (not to mention just plain poor manners).

They defend the Constitution, which is more than some old pieces of paper in the National Archives - "We, the people of the United states of America...."...we are the Constitution and it is we whom our military is defending. Any citizen can be a patriot and look at the flag in awe, in reverence; but the military and the veteran see it differently: they hear the cries of the fallen in Lexington and Valley Forge, on Gettysburg field and at Shiloh, from the Meuse-Argonne and the Marne, from Normandy, Bastogne, Iwo Jima, and Guadalcanal, Inchon and Chosin, Da Nang and Saigon, the guardians watching over the Iron Curtain, in Dhahran and throughout the Middle East. They understand - perhaps without phrasing it as such - the precept that is the basis for our Liberty: I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

They deserve our respect and gratitude, esp. from those who have never served the nation.

Greg
U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, 1981-1993