The Ultimate Sacrifice

Published in the Holland Sentinel on February 19, 2007 -

Serving as a member of the United States armed forces is a great personal sacrifice.

Unlike the average American, our troops willingly give up many of their civil liberties. Once in the military, they are held to a very high personal standard. For example: Where else in the United States can you get convicted and serve a prison term for committing adultery? Where else in America can you go to jail, simply for telling your boss "no" or for being late to work?

Most civilians have no idea what military life is like or just what our troops have to go through in order to serve successfully in our armed forces. Many civilians honestly don't understand the meaning of words like honor, code, unity and sacrifice. It is not the ignorance of these people that bothers me. Rather, it is the willingness of so many to take a stand against a topic which they truly don't understand. If they are going to voice their opinion on an issue, they should do their homework and get to know the people involved.

As the death toll in Iraq continues to climb, so do the rumblings by people who have no appreciation for the phrase "the ultimate sacrifice." One of my least favorite comments is, "Don't give me this ultimate sacrifice crap."

Here are a few thoughts about "the ultimate sacrifice." Patriots who died in the Revolutionary War and our Civil War gave it. Patriots who died in the World War I and World War II gave it. Patriots who died in the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War gave it. Patriots who died in the first Gulf War gave it. Patriots who died on 9/11 gave it. Patriots who died in Afghanistan gave it. Patriots who have and will die in the current war will give it; and every other man and woman who dared to put on a uniform who has died on active duty has given it.

In today's U.S. military, everyone is a volunteer. Each individual who joins the armed forces of America does so for his or her own reasons. Some join to get away from their existing life. Some join for the educational benefits. Some join for the adventure. Some join because of family traditions. Some join because they love their country and are willing to fight to the death, if necessary, to defend this great nation.

Regardless of why they joined, they all become a part of something that is greater than themselves. They become a member of an elite fighting force, which will respond to any call at any time. They fully understand that their response could lead to injury or even death. Yet, they do all that they can to be the very best at what they do. They truly are the world's finest.

These brave individuals didn't join the service with the hope of dying in combat. In fact, they train very hard in every possible climate to prepare themselves for battle. They endure the pain of training, so that when and if they have to go into combat, they will have a fighting chance of coming home to their loved ones alive and well. In the event that they don't come home safe, we should know that they died fighting for what they believed in. They died fighting for justice and the American way. They did in fact, give "the ultimate sacrifice" so that we could enjoy all of the freedoms that this great nation offers.

As Americans, we can never let their sacrifice be in vain. We must always respect their courage and their dedication. We must respect their willingness to put themselves in harms way. We must respect their choice to defend this great nation. We owe them and we must always honor them for giving the ultimate sacrifice.

May God bless the United States of America and all of our patriots who have given the ultimate sacrifice. May God also bless the friends and families of these courageous individuals, for their sacrifice is also great.

Comments

[Rico]

God Bless America and the men and women of our armed forces.