Don’t Forget
I am going a little off of topic tonight and going away from my walk with the Lord in a way. I have had something that has been laid on my heart these last few weeks and I think it is time to address. As Americans we tend to take a lot of things for granted. One of the things we take for granted I believe is our freedom and those who protect us and ensure that freedom.
As most know I was a Soldier for 13 years and served in the US Army as an Infantryman. I have been deployed 2 times in support of Iraqi Freedom. Through both of my tours I saw a lot of death of the insurgents, as well as a lot of younger Soldiers and great men die serving their country. Even though our country likes to pretend like they care, I start to get the feeling that it is not truly sincere. Take a look at just a few of the recent news headlines nowadays.
One that is truly a travesty is the argument on Capitol Hill right now about retirement benefits for those who served in the military. If you have any Facebook friends that are in the military you have probably seen this post over the last few days.
I took a job knowing I would never get rich. I've missed out on holidays & spent them working. If I got a "bonus" it would be investigated. I may have to lay down my life or take one. My life expectancy is shorter than yours because of the stress. But yet, you think I'm overpaid & not deserving of a pension or Health Care Benefits?
Or this one.
Military retirement is not a Entitlement, it was earned! The benefits aren't some kind of charity or handout! Congressional benefits = free health care, outrageous retirement packages, 67 paid holidays, 3 weeks paid vacation, unlimited paid sick days - now THAT'S welfare. And Congress has the nerve to call a Military retirement an Entitlement?
I mean come on now really, military retirement is a benefit of going into the military. There are not many benefits other than the health care and retirement for going into the military. For those who spend most of their adult lives in the military protecting the country, get out at about the age of 40-50. Why do we want to take their retirement from them? It is truly depressing, as Soldiers you are asked to make some of the most difficult decisions of your life and then live with it. Put yourself in the shoes of a 17 year old private whose parents signed off on them going into the service. So you enter the military and go through basic training, that is just the first shocking step to your new life as a Soldier. In this day of the military while our country is at war, normally the second step is to be sent to your new unit which is probably ramping up to deploy into country. Shock number 2. Then you get into country and are told your ROE or rules of engagement, in which you realize that when you do have to pull the trigger you have more decisions and consequences that you thought. There are some places in country where you are not even allowed fire on the enemy unless they shoot at you first, think about that you have to wait to be shot at and hope the person misses before you can return fire. At 17 that is something to really take in and still be able to control yourself. God forgive you if you have to actually take a human life, even though it is something you are trained to do from day one of entering into service, once you actually do it boy it changes your life. That is when the secondary consequences start to emerge, you know the not sleeping cause you don’t want to have nightmares, the jumping at every loud noise you hear, the fact that you won’t go into large crowded areas and feel safe anymore, and a plethora of other issues. Yet health care and retirement should be reduced for our Soldiers, REALLY!!!.
I know this sounds like I am ranting and I probably am, the wonderful thing is that I am doing this without cursing and swearing. I just pray that all Americans understand the consequences of not respecting the people that VOLUNTEER to enter the service and give their lives for their country and removing their retirement benefits. I mean think about it, would you enter a job knowing your retirement benefits are horrible, what will that do to our future Armed Forces. Thank you for reading and God Bless.
G.E.D.D.
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