All Faced Something, But Some Gave All

To the many who served in the military, I salute you. To those who fought and died, I kneel in respect and admiration. For it not to have been for you, my journey would have been impossible. The support I received while serving in Vietnam was nothing short of miraculous. The service members’ team rose to the challenges every day without a hint of anarchy. The strength I witnessed and the courage I saw helped make my journey fulfilling and filled with pride. To young men such as these, I owe my life, loyalty, and freedom. These brave men who served are a testament to what America should be about now and forever.

The time I spent in Vietnam’s dense jungles was a frightening experience. However, that experience showed me who I was, especially during a time of questionable doubt. Though immensely impressionable, this doubt gave me the strength to meet each day with hope and optimism. The confidence I drew upon was my thoughts of home and what I would do once I returned. I must admit that there were more days of unanswered questions, all of which rendered me a vulnerable soldier serving my country. As I was proud to be a Marine, the lesson honored what the Corps stood for and what America meant to me. But as I see this country and its so-called president stain the integrity of those who served and are still doing so, it shames me.

This current [Trump] administration has no clue what honor should represent. They have missed the point of being respectful and honest. As for the matter of loyalty, that does not exist either. Instead, this administration has taken deceit and greed to an entirely different level and made this aborted truth all about them and what they need to survive another term. If that happens, this country and the world, for that matter, will meet the fate of unconscionable doom. Nothing sacred speaks to the importance of our morality, not only as Americans but as civilians who can alone stand on the sidelines waiting to see what will happen next.

As we approach the end of 2020, I can say with all honesty that this was the worst year of my life. The ongoing devastation within the economy, relationships abroad, and the racial strife on American soil have labeled America a sub-standard country filled with corruption, lies, and delusions of grandeur amongst these fake leaders. Our only hope is prayer, but we must act and continue to serve before worship until the dark is lifted and the light emerges.