[Trueblackman]

Nah I would not say that, my service was not required I did it out of respect for my Father and Grandfather.

[MacDorcha]

One of the many reasons I do as well.
Heritage, self-empowerment, education...

The dignity to look people in the eye, regardless of their relative status.

If I had been warned about the chow, I might have had a second thought. Maybe I’ll build up an immunity before I hit 20 years...

[Warrior Nurse]

TBM great post and I know what you are talking about. I enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 1982 and I am still serving in my 3rd branch of service. I hate when movies and politicians denigrate those of us that serve in the military. I am not a patriot or a hero my father holds those titles for his service in during the Korean war. However he and his brother laid the ground work for my military service. Because of my father's heroics he made it easier for all black to serve with honor on the battlefield. It is always those who have gone before that set the table for those who have never been there.

I have been called a hero and I don't come close to those men and women that have been shot to hell and pieces of them are missing and they still want to serve and mix it up with the enemy. Now that is heroic by any standard. To those simpletons that don't believe blacks don't have any business in the military that may as well spit on the graves of the Tuskegee Airmen, The Golden 13 and the Montford Point Marines, and the men of Pea Island coast guard station and many more that have worn the cloth of the nation despite the greater society treating them less then men. That is also heroic looking beyond one's current circumstance for the greater good of the country. Because of men that served is why we had a successful civil rights struggle. I don't want thugs in my Army, Air Force, Navy or Marines I want men!

[Sig Sauer P220]

Thank you for your service Trueblackman. Its unfortunate that the black community can’t admit that it is its own worst enemy.

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

I did it out of respect for my Father and Grandfather.

I'm sure you and your father and his are well aware that when it hits the fan, we all bleed red. Thanks for your (and their) service. It takes great courage to swim against the tide.

Regards,
GtG

[2ndClassCitizen]

People like you are a credit to the human race.