The most important people in society

I was thinking about Veteran's Day, where we are as a country, and those who died to protect what we are now squandering away. I started thinking about those who really are the most important people in our society - the ones who make the most difference and whose jobs mater the most. My conclusion - soldiers.

Thought this was an appropriate topic to discuss, given that we are now living under the umbrella of political celebrities, media celebrities, entertainment industry celebrities, etc.

I'm sure FR has a broad spectrum of jobs/professions represented, and a broad socioeconomic representation, but I now believe that it all distills down to the fact that without true freedom none of this fundamentally matters. We owe those freedoms to people who put their lives on he line for us - and those who lost their lives in the process.

The smarmy 'self-convinced' now run things - politically and culturally, but they are not admirable. The admirable make too little pay, have their votes and benefits played with as political fodder, but they remain the most important people in our society.

JMHO.

Agreed. Sports, entertainment, politicians, lawyers et al are overpaid and overidolized.

Our soldiers, farmers. ranchers, doctors/nurses, scientists, good teachers etc should be the ones who are looked up to.

What an upside down country/world we live in.

In all fairness, while the soldiers themselves would admit that what they do is important, they would say that what they do is less important than why they do it.

This is reflected in the highest military honor, the Medal of Honor. Most people assume that the MoH is given to a soldier, sailor, airman or marine for their profound heroism and acts of valor.

But this is not entirely true. The MoH is not an award or a reward, but an assignment or duty. For the rest of their life, or assigned posthumously, the recipient is designated as an example to their fellow Americans.

They are not an example of what they did in combat, but of everything they are, their character, their honor, that made them capable of what they did in combat.

They represent all that went into them: their family, their community, their teachers, all who guided and helped mold them into a person of superior character, who was able to go far and away beyond the call of duty.

There are 3 million Americans for every living MoH recipient. Most have never seen a MoH, or met a recipient, and perhaps most do not know what it represents. But they should, because for better or worse, it represents our nation.

There is no military regulation that, irregardless of rank, a MoH recipient is to be saluted first, but that is the custom. The salute is not to the man, but to the Medal of Honor.

“They are not an example of what they did in
combat, but of everything they are, their
character, their honor, that made them capable
of what they did in combat.”

So True.

Also you salute the rank, not the person.

I wish well to all veterans today.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.