Posted on 11/07/2010 7:52:26 AM PST by Nachum
I never expected to write this letter, but my Mom e-mailed me to get information about my career for a writeup on Veterans Day, and as this is the first such holiday in 22 years when I will not be on active duty, I felt compelled to let you know why I decided to quit.
Quit is a strong word, I know. Everyone I’ve talked to has repeated that I’ve had a marvelous career and that I’ve retired with honor. Maybe that’s true on paper; I guess that it’s reflected by the record. But that’s not how I feel. I feel like I’ve quit. And because I’m not a quitter, I feel I have to explain why — not that anyone is asking, but because perhaps they don’t know to ask.
Quit is a strong word, I know. Everyone I’ve talked to has repeated that I’ve had a marvelous career and that I’ve retired with honor. Maybe that’s true on paper; I guess that it’s reflected by the record. But that’s not how I feel. I feel like I’ve quit. And because I’m not a quitter, I feel I have to explain why — not that anyone is asking, but because perhaps they don’t know to ask.
Briefly, my career had been a representation of the promise of this country. Starting out on the lowest rung of the rank ladder as an F-4G Wild Weasel crew chief, continuing on F-16s and the F-117A Stealth fighter in Desert Storm, then a small part of Desert Fox as a nuclear Maintenance Officer and finally a pilot that took part in numerous deployments in Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailyinterlake.com ...
This man should run for office.
God Bless his service to our country.
Happy Veteran's Day, Lt. Col. Banetz!
Applause
Amen, Major. (I personally am embarrassed that my Commission is from Jimmah Carter.) Why risk everything for the resident who won’t/can’t show his birth certificate and loves to blame good people for the problems of the world and the problems of racism?
The dim college students who think they know everything, laugh at everything, sleep with everything, snort everything, respect nothing and their pied piper professors in their Prius cars who look down on normal family life and praise leaving it all for a dive trip to Tahiti?
Really we live in a pagan society.
Twenty two years, however IS a full career. Retire. You aren’t quitting. But keep fighting. Don’t let the thing go. Fight to the death. The idea is greater than the fleshly louts who denigrate it.
Better dead than red.
Too much in there to comment on! EVERYONE should read this!
Yep - He quit.
Everyone hit the link, read the whole thing.
Wow. Just wow.
Wow- he certainly lays the blame at the feet of those repsonsible- we, the people. Excellent letter- thanks for posting.
BTTT
After 22 years, isn’t this more like deciding to retire?
Hell... I'd give it to him. He makes more sense than most of those oddballs in congress.
My first thought, too. Really hits home when he writes that WE as citizens have a responsibility to uphold the constitution, too.
I couldn’t have said it any better myself.Way to go Major.
How can we fail with men like this on our side?
Thank you Nachum. Another great find.
Just wow.
Thank you for your many years of service to this great Nation! And this letter is yet more service, and thank you for that, too. It is not pleasant to hear, but one of the many things our Nation NEEDS to hear, AND take to heart.
Also Happy Veteran’s Day, Lt. Col. Banetz!
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