[Burkeman1]

Really? The military has been nothing but a curse to my family. One dead at Iwo Jima. Another insane for the rest of his life. My father had his life messed up because of his service. My Great Uncle who was a Captain Chaplain Catholic Priest in WWII and got the Silver Star was a near zombie by the end of his life as he couldn't deal with what he had seen.

Yeah- conscription is great! Try and get me or my sons for your army and wars.

[oh8eleven]

Yeah- conscription is great! Try and get me or my sons for your army and wars.
We don't want you, your sons or anyone like you.

Semper Fi...

[dpa5923]

Who said anything about conscription?

The dead at Iwo Jima is indeed tragic, but it would be more tragic if the Japanese unchallenged slaughter more innocents.

I cannot speak of your father or the cause of him being messed up or your Great Uncle's issues. But if you want to throw out useless anecdotal evidence, I can easily show you millions of men who look back at their service with pride and nostalgia.

[armymarinedad]

Yeah- conscription is great! Try and get me or my sons for your army and wars.

I must agree with you a draft is a bad idea and my sons agree. They are warriors,airborne infantry and marine infantry. The last thing they want next to them is a coward that doesn't want to be there. So don't worry Jody they will take care of your freedom. They will also get the girls back when they return.

[FRMAG]

It would seem that you essentially agree with kerry in his description of Viet nam Vets. Not everybody goes south most are made stronger by keeping their nation strong.

[Poohbah]

Yeah- conscription is great! Try and get me or my sons for your army and wars.

We don't want cowards in the army. That's why we don't draft anyone. And, if we ever do have to have a draft, I'm sure you and your sons will be exempt under a "congenital loser" clause.

[optimistically_conservative]

Haiti disbanded their military. Might I suggest that you would be more comfortable there?

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Wow. I am truly sorry about all the loss in your family; I am also sorry to read of such bitterness in your words. You have my sincere condolences.

My husband's grandfather was an only son. His photos show a strikingly handsome man with a great smile and a twinkle in his eye. He was married, and the father of an almost two year old. He was in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese stormed into our country and had a turkey shoot with our unsuspecting military that Sunday morning. He was aboard his ship when he perished.

When his two year old grew up, he marched himself right into the US Naval Academy, and made a career in the Navy. His son, my husband, spent his childhood watching how proudly and selflessly his father served. And when he was old enough, he too, joined the Midshipmen in Annapolis.

When I was brought to his home to meet his family for the first time, one of the first things we did was spend hours looking through old military scrapbooks. I was shown old medals in the display case, and toured throughout their home to hear the meanings behind every picture on their walls...most of them military. We were married in the USNA Chapel.

You see, I believe this country needs great people defending her. It is the responsibility of us all. When people let their guard down, or feel some entitlement to pass on defending her appropriately, we place her in danger. My husband is still serving today in our USMC Reserves. He's also an airline pilot, with the skill and military training to throw your plane or any being threatened into some acrobatic maneuver he'd long ago learned in NATOPS. He's very blessed to have been born into a family who is proud of their sacrifices.

Dare I say, that the curse is not something the US military has allowed into your house. IMO, it is the bitterness and anger you won't let go of. I think they are clouding the reality and faces of those people and things which have threatened us as a nation throughout history, and not "[our]army and wars."

I will pray for you. Having your insides in so much turmoil will only lessen your days.

[SuziQ]

Well, there are people in those countries who were freed because of the service of your family members. Not all results of good deeds are seen immediately, and sometimes, not at all by the person doing them.

I am grateful for all who serve in the defense of this country.

[AQGeiger]

Really? The military has been nothing but a curse to my family. One dead at Iwo Jima. Another insane for the rest of his life. My father had his life messed up because of his service. My Great Uncle who was a Captain Chaplain Catholic Priest in WWII and got the Silver Star was a near zombie by the end of his life as he couldn't deal with what he had seen.

Yeah- conscription is great! Try and get me or my sons for your army and wars.

The military which has been such a curse to your family is the only reason you are free to criticize the military.

I hate to break it to you, but the military doesn't drive people insane and doesn't "mess up" people's lives. People mess up their own lives. People allow themselves to become "insane," as you put it, by not taking care of their psychological health. It's not the military's fault that people "can't deal with what they've seen."

Perhaps you should move to Somalia or another country that is essentially anarchist and see how well you fare when there is no one to protect you.