A couple of weeks ago following my nephew’s graduation from Recruit Training at Great Lakes Naval Station I approached my nephew and told him I thought that national service would be a good thing for most Americans. I thought we’d have a little less self-absorption if more of our fifty and under crowd actually served something other than their own narrow agendas. Tom agreed and said, “Uncle Don I just said the same thing to Dad.” I hear a lot of talk from many of my younger friends and even from some of the older ones of supporting the troops, but I want to know what have you actually done. I therefore challenge this new generation of Americans to join up. Go Navy! Go Army! Go Marine! Go Air Force! Go Coast Guard! Do something don’t just talk big, walk big too. If you can’t actually join, find a military person that you can write to. Find out if they need money for their family and send them some cash. Ask for nothing in return.
I gotta go now.., but you think of what you can do to help our young women in men and uniform and better yet become one yourself. Patriotism is more than waving the flag, it’s about carrrying it too. Show your gratitude by what you do, not what you say.
A friend of mine who is a disabled veteran and I were talking about something like this not so very long ago, and she said something that interested me. She said she’d like to see everyone participating in national service, which she certainly did not include campaigning for one’s father in, but for instance, she felt that my time as a teacher for HeadStart would count, as would my husband’s time as a librarian for people with disabilities.
I would encourage anyone, old or young, to find a way to serve that opens your heart and your arms. Feed the hungry minds and bellies and souls in this world. Teach, create, give not merely of your purse, but of your energy and life and love. Do good. Love the people you’ve been told are your enemies, and find ways to bridge that gap.
Whatever service you are called to, go there and serve with your whole heart and mind and soul. And learn that it truly is in giving of ourselves that we receive.
I couldn’t agree more with you. I think service is good and national service would open a few eyes and perhaps change some people. A good friend of mine who is also a Vietnam era veteran has been saying this for sometime. I had rebelled at first but lately I’ve been thinking that this is the missing piece from our national dialogue. Too much lip service is paid to supporting the troops, but very little actual support for the troops and/or their families is actually occurring.
National service creates an awareness, a sensitivity and perhaps a camaraderie that’s missing in many of our citizens lives. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 🙂 Don