THE PATRIOT
In the beginning of a change, the
patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause
succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.” ~Mark Twain
The
above quote could not say it better in describing what a Veteran is. They are the unsung hero who, without thought
to their own life, take up the call to serve their country.
The term GI translates to Government Issue, which
means that a soldier is literally construed as a property of the United States
Government. This is specified in the
soldier’s contract upon enlistment. They
agree to be solely governed by the United States Armed Forces, 24/7. If the government says to work all night, you
work all night. If the government requires you to do jumping jacks, you jump. If the government says you must pick up your
rifle and travel to another country to fight and put your life at great risk,
you travel to that country. And a
soldier is not allowed to sue the government for any transgression it may
inflict on them. This is clearly
stipulated and reviewed as part of the enlistment process.
The part of Mark Twain’s quote that strikes me the most is
how a person of the Armed Services is perceived. When America was behind the reasons for
entering the wars of WWI, WWII, and Korea; it cheered and welcomed these
soldiers with great fanfare upon their return. When the country was not behind the reason for
a military engagement, such as the Vietnam Conflict, Americans vehemently
denounced these soldiers. There was no
welcome home fanfare for these soldiers and when they returned, they were often
spat upon and made to feel as if they were criminals.
The Oxford Dictionary describes a patriot as, “A person who vigorously supports their country and is
prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.” With that definition in mind, it is my opinion
that:
One
can call themselves a patriot, but only the soldier truly understands its
meaning.
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