Posted on 06/04/2006 6:15:58 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Karen Dandridge, Richard Forrest Jr. and Rolando Medina all graduated from high school last week and live only a couple of miles apart, but they never ran with the same crowd until now.
The U.S. Army has brought them together.
Fresh from proms and final exams, they have made the life-changing decision to volunteer for the Army, even as public opinion of Operation Iraqi Freedom sags and casualties climb. Like the 73,373 nationwide who raised their hands for Army duty last year, these three came to the South Holland recruiting station with their own reasons for signing up.
They will be welcomed into a military that has struggled lately to fill its ranks. Last year, the Army missed its goal of enlisting 80,000 active-duty soldiers by 6,627--the largest shortfall since 1979. Enlistment of both African-Americans and women has particularly suffered in recent years.
The three recruits all live in Calumet City--a town that closely resembles the nation as a whole when comparing economic and social characteristics, including the number of veterans as a percentage of the population.
Thomas Jefferson once wrote to James Monroe that every citizen should be a soldier at some point.
"This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state," he argued, believing that service improved both the military and the man.
This does not happen today in the United States, of course. There is no universal conscription. There is no draft. Instead, people like Dandridge, Forrest and Medina elect to serve.
Their motives range from patriotism to pay. Although their paths to the Army have been their own, they now enter this new endeavor with similar measures of fear and fortitude.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Thank you for your reply.
I will keep your son in my prayers and ask my prayer group to pray for him.
Another poster said I had highjacked this thread which was not my intent. For that I apologize.
God bless you.
Thank you for your reply.
Another poster said that I had highjacked this thread which was not my intent. For that I apologize.
God bless you.
Thank you for your thoughtful reply.
Another poster said I had highjacked this thread which was not my intent. For that I apologize.
God bless you.
Thank you for raising a fine son who appreciates the need to serve. Your post could not be more appropriate for a thread titled "Who wants to join the Army".... hardly hijacking in my book. Good luck to your son (Aim High, Air Force!)
Thank you for your reply.
Another poster said I highjacked this thread which was not my intent. For that I apologize.
God bless you.
Thanks for your reply.
Another poster said I highjacked this thread which was not my intent. For that I apologize.
God bless you.
Thanks for your input.
Another poster said I had highjacked this thread which was not my intent. For that I apologize.
God bless you.
Thanks for your input.
Another poster said I had highjacked this thread which was not my intent. For that I apologize.
God bless you.
Thanks for your input.
Another poster said I had highjacked this thread which was not my intent. For that I apologize.
God bless you.
Thanks for your input.
Another poster said I had highjacked this thread which was not my intent. For that I apologize.
God bless you.
Thanks for your input.
Another poster said I had highjacked this thread which was not my intent. For that I apologize.
God bless you.
Thanks for your input.
Another poster said I had highjacked this thread which was not my intent. For that I apologize.
God bless you.
Thanks for your input.
Another poster said I had highjacked this thread which was not my intent. For that I apologize.
God bless you.
Thanks for your input.
Another poster said I had highjacked this thread which was not my intent. For that I apologize.
God bless you.
Thanks for your input.
Another poster said I had highjacked this thread which was not my intent. For that I apologize.
God bless you.
Thanks for your input.
Another poster said I had highjacked this thread which was not my intent. For that I apologize.
God bless you.
L
Hello...................................the title of the thread was WHAT?! LOL!!
I'll forgive ya.
You don't need to send umpteen replies to apologize for "hijacking" a thread. One will do very nicely, thank you very much. Next time, just list everyone in the "To:" box, names separated by semicolons.
Another poster said I had highjacked this thread
You know what? Screw em, some poeple really need to get a life.
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