OPINIONS: Our military protects us every day of the year

Frank Gillispie

OPINIONS: Our military protects us every day of the year

Posted by

Frank Gillispie

in Opinions

Wednesday, June 3. 2009

Comments (25)

While I was out and about this past weekend I found some confusion among some of our citizens about military holidays.

Why, one young lady asked, do we have three holidays devoted to the military? That’s right. We have three of them: Armed Forces Day, Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Actually, I reminded her, many Southerners celebrate Confederate Memorial Day as well.

So why do we put so much importance on the military? Are we, as many of our detractors say, an aggressive, militaristic society that uses force to impose our will on the world, or was it necessary to develop our military power to defend ourselves against an envious world?

I think both arguments have some legitimacy. You see, freedom and liberty are very fragile things. Without constant vigil, they can be easily lost. The only way to assure that our freedoms will survive is to support freedom movements among other peoples around the world. Unfortunately, there are so called “leaders” who use military measures to enslave their citizens and often the only remedy is to meet force with force.

For example, on the day we set aside to honor our heroes who died in battle, North Korea has once again threatened the world with another massive nuclear explosion and a series of rocket tests. The world has tried for many years to convince the petty dictators of that impoverished country to give up their military posturing and concentrate on feeding their people, but they thumb their noses at the world and continue to threaten the safety and freedom of all people around the world.

It is obvious then, that our military is an absolute necessity to ensure freedom for ourselves and the world. And service in the military involves sacrifices on many levels, from their time, their fortunes and even their lives. It is fitting that we offer our thanks to those who make such sacrifices for our freedom.

The three holidays represent the nature and timing of military sacrifices. Armed Forces Day is a salute to our current military. That is the day we salute those currently wearing the uniforms of our nation. Veteran’s Day honors those who have put on the uniform and defended our nation in the past. Memorial Day is a special moment each year when we express our appreciation to those who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives for our freedom.

I do not think we can do enough to remember those brave men and women who gave their all for our freedom.

“Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down his life for his friends.” —John 15:13.

Daily reminders of their service is appropriate. For example, this newspaper and others honor our veterans by displaying a flag in their obituaries. Just look at the obituary page each week and see how many of the listings there have a flag after the name. Even small remembrances are appreciated. In Georgia, drivers’ license fees are waived for veterans.

Our military protects us every day of the year. It is proper that we devote three days a year to their support and memory.

Frank Gillispie is founder of The Madison County Journal. His e-mail address is frankgillispie671@msn.com. His website can be accessed at http://frankgillispie.tripod.com/

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#1 Bill on 06/03/09 at 11:31 AM [Reply]

I agree Frank but wouldn't it also be nice if there were some days to celebrate the people who help create peace and those who are helpful to the more unfortunate.

#1.1 Sardonic Veracity on 06/05/09 at 04:22 PM [Reply]

There are days to celebrate things like that... Easter, Christmas Day, MLK Day.

#2 TetVet68 on 06/03/09 at 06:46 PM [Reply]

Remember Pearl Harbor -- Keep America Alert!

America's oldest living Medal of Honor recipient, living his 100th year is former enlisted Chief Petty Officer, Aviation Chief Ordnanceman (ACOM), later wartime commissioned Lieutenant John W. Finn, U. S. Navy (Ret.). He is also the last surviving Medal of Honor, "The Day of Infamy", Japanese Attack on the Hawaiian Islands, Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941.

(Now deceased) 'Navy Centenarian Sailor', 103 year old, former enlisted Chief Petty Officer, Aviation Chief Radioman (ACRM, Combat Aircrewman), later wartime commissioned Chief Warrant Officer Julio 'Jay' Ereneta, U. S. Navy (Ret.), is a thirty year career veteran of World War One and World War Two. He first flew aircrewman in August 1922; flew rearseat Radioman/Gunner (1920s/1930s) in the tactical air squadrons of the Navy's first aircraft carriers, USS LANGLEY (CV-1) and USS LEXINGTON (CV-2).

Visit my photo album tribute to these veteran shipmates and other Pearl Harbor Survivors:

http://news.webshots.com/album/123286873BFAAiq
http://news.webshots.com/album/141695570BONFYl

San Diego, California

#3 Anonymous on 06/05/09 at 11:22 AM [Reply]

I was in the military for 8 years. I didn't do it to "protect freedom" or America, or so you could wave your flag, or any of that other nationalistic crap. I joined because I needed a job, just like virtually everyone else. All that flag-waving American nationalism by armchair generals just gets my buddies killed.

#3.1 Daniel on 06/07/09 at 10:14 PM [Reply]

How nice Anonymous. I am extremely glad that you are the exception to rule instead of the rule. Many of the nation's locals, including myself "protected freedom" so that you can hyperventilate over the "evils" of nationalism and jingoism.
If I just "needed a job" I could have found many that paid more locally. Many others, including myself, chose the military because of a deep sense of pride, not mirrored in any other profession.
By your own admission, I feel much better about the nation’s security that you are no longer employed by our great country in this capacity. So, to quote a quote, "don't go away mad, just go away".

#3.1.1 Sardonic Veracity on 06/08/09 at 02:33 PM [Reply]

Thank you, Daniel, and everyone like you, for your service to our country. I appreciate it.

#3.1.2 Anonymous on 06/09/09 at 09:48 AM [Reply]

I am calling BS on Daniel. Maybe Daniel could elaborate and let us know which Madison County employers are hiring and at such high wages?

#3.1.2.1 Sardonic Veracity on 06/10/09 at 01:41 PM [Reply]

What is the "BS" that you are calling? Wages don't have to be that high to be more than entry level wages in the armed forces.

#3.1.2.2 Madison County Resident on 06/10/09 at 09:41 PM [Reply]

You said you joined because you needed a job? If I was looking for a job I can think of hundreds of other jobs that pay more than the Armed forces? You ask Daniel which Madison County Employers are hiring at such high wages? What you can't travel outside Madison Co.to work? But lets just look at Danielsville you got Dollar General,Market Place, Golden Pantry, the pizza place next to Golden Pantry,Chicken Express,#1 China Buffet,Vision Video,Rite Aid, Madison Co.Hardware,GA metals, Huddle House,Williams BBQ,Madison Co.sports, Haleys BP,Royal gas station, Stricklands Chevron, and not to mention all the banks and Florist in Danielsville and I bet any of these places would start you out at more than the armed forces? The only thing about the armed forces is you got job Security you ain't going to get fired they may run you to death or make you do push ups until you die but they ain't going to fire you.So your arguement don't hold water so I am calling BS to you whole statements. You are one man I wouldn't want to be in a trench with you in a war zone because you are there for the money and if the enemy were to offer you more money you may turn on your own people.

#3.1.2.3 Anonymous on 06/11/09 at 02:00 PM [Reply]

You obviously have never served in the Armed Forces to truly know what it means to live below the poverty level!
Have you tried to raise a family of 4, pay your bills on time and live in a foreign country when the value of $1US changes daily on $10,000.00 a year? There is no better job that will teach you how to budget or rob Peter to pay Paul, like the military.
Thank you Daniel for your service and sacrifices.

#3.1.2.3.1 Madison County Resident on 06/12/09 at 10:36 AM [Reply]

Well if Daniel wanted to live above the poverty Level why did he join to make 5.00/hr less

#3.1.2.4 Daniel on 06/11/09 at 09:03 PM [Reply]

I will be glad to elaborate, Anonymous. When I wrote "locals" one of logical thinking would include local counties as well, such as Athens-Clarke. Let us get to the numbers, though. I enlisted in the US Navy in November 1992. The starting pay for a recruit in the Armed Forces was $726.60 PER MONTH. Using simple mathematics, multiply this figure by the # of months in a year, 12, and divide that by 2080 (the number of hours normally paid in the private sector over the course of a year based on 40 hour work weeks @ 52 weeks). This grand number will give you dollar figure per hour. Done calculating? Your figure should be $4.19/hr. Two months prior to going to boot camp, I was offered a job at a "local" manufacturing plant for $9.90/hr. I believe that I chose a much more rewarding job serving my country though. So, in conclusion, I hope that I did not discourage your plight with numbers and facts. Being wrong can be very painful at times while being correct is the most important.

#3.1.2.4.1 Madison County Resident on 06/12/09 at 10:31 AM [Reply]

Ok so if the Navy paid 4.19/hr and you was offered a job that paid 9.90/hr why did you pick the Navy because you said you joined because you needed a job? Could it have been the job security? Because you knew the Armed Forces didn't lay off when times get hard?

#3.1.2.4.2 Anonymous on 06/12/09 at 12:52 PM [Reply]

Dude, you proved the point. A - This ain't 1992 That was almost 20 years ago. Military pays full benefits for you and your family, and pays for your food and housing. The local plant doesn't provide housing, food or benefits for you or family. So, yes, the military pays more.

So, we know someone was hiring in 1992. Uh, who are all those people hiring TODAY...NOW?

Right. BS.

I did 8 years and I don't know who you were with but virtually everyone I was in with was there because it was a job with benefits and/or we wanted the GI Bill to pay for college. I did my time. I got my college money. And to hell with those who put me in harms way and killed my friends over some made up lies. I wasn't fighting for the U.S. - I was fighting for Bush and Cheney's lies. They should both be in prison...an Iraqi prison. I'm glad I'm outta there.

Folks back home need to put as much energy into knowing the facts as they put into waving the flag. Your president and vice president knowingly manufactured false evidence to start a war. Still hard to believe that that doesn't get people off their a@#$%@. As long as it's not them having to take a bullet or an RPG, most people today really don't care. They just wanna wave that flag. Some of my buds died for a lie and that feeling never goes away. Go ahead and wave your flag but at least have the decency to understand what you're waving it for because your ignorance is extremely dangerous and results in our guys getting dying for lies. And that's not what the flag stands for, and waving it in those circumstances only disrespects what it does stand for.

#3.1.2.4.2.1 Madison County Resident on 06/13/09 at 10:55 PM [Reply]

Ok so you agree with Daniel but I will say this If yall(you and Daniel) Don't like and care for the USA by all means catch you a boat to another country? One where their Goverment tells you what to do.As yall tell it it wouldn't be no different than when yall served. And I'll say this for all the proud Vets out there We're glad yall got out when you did because I would hate to know you are fighting for my freedoms. The same freedoms everyone has and alot of men fought and died for.Do you think Alvin C York and General George Patton were there for the money?

#3.1.2.4.2.2 Sardonic Veracity on 06/14/09 at 11:27 AM [Reply]

Dude... every deep thinker begins a thought with that word, by the way.

If you went into the armed forces for a "job" and to have the taxpayers pay for your college and did not expect to have to do your job (i.e. serve in the obvious capacity of an armed forces employee ...) then I suggest you pursue counselling for delusional tendencies and narcissism.

What "lie" did the senior executives fabricate? Elaborate on your left wing talking points.

Was it a lie that Saddaam was a dictator that was put in place and propped up by the US for years? Was it not an moral imperative that he be removed. Do you not clean up your own messes at home ... or do you leave that to your mother to handle? There were reports that caches of WMDs were found in Iraq. There were reports of mass graves and other human rights violations. There were reports that Iraquis were pleased to see the US soldiers liberate them. The only "lie" was that the US had a valid strategy for finishing. Perhaps it was because the US had too many people like you, Daniel, who, instead of wanting to do their job wanted to whine about Bush and Cheny and let the situation drag on .. .and on ... and on. While you were over there, the brass should have continued the war over into Iran.

When you take a dangerous job, sometimes there are dangers. Stop crying.

#3.1.2.4.2.2.1 Madison County Resident on 06/14/09 at 12:21 PM [Reply]

I'l have to admit Sardonic Veracity sometimes I don't agree with you but on this one I do? People like Daniel say they joined because they needed a job? But the truth is yes they get a job with full health insurance for you and your family,the GI bill,The tax payers pay for your housing,food, and clothes and you get to kill people and not have to go to jail for it.This is the wrong reason to join.
And if I didn't like the US as much as you seem to hate it I wouldn't join to protect them? You should have done what the draft dodgers did and stayed home because with your attitude I wouldn't want you on my team. But I bet when you came home from service when people came up and thanked you for your service you ate it up.

#3.1.2.4.2.2.2 ben on 06/14/09 at 09:03 PM [Reply]

"Your president and vice president knowingly manufactured false evidence to start a war. Still hard to believe that that doesn't get people off their a@#$%@. As long as it's not them having to take a bullet or an RPG, most people today really don't care."

Sounds like you, Sardonic.

#3.1.2.4.2.2.2.1 Madison County Resident on 06/15/09 at 09:34 AM [Reply]

Well ben as you and Daniel see it we should have said O.h.well do what you want as long as they don't come to Madison Co. and kill nobody but do you recall 9-11 see that was an attack on our country. They started this war. They gave the first shot and if we didn't go over there to fight every other country would know that if they come over here and kill some people we would say ok it's alright?
I got a question for you? If the war as you see it Started on a lie? WHEN SHOULD WE GO TO WAR? How many people were killed on 9-11?

#3.1.2.4.2.2.2.1.1 Real patriot on 06/15/09 at 05:59 PM [Reply]

Agreed. Daniel is an idiot. He thinks working at Chicken Express pays more than the military. You are right, Daniel must be shellshocked. Chicken Express don't pay diddly squat.

#3.1.2.4.2.2.2.2 Dan on 06/15/09 at 12:21 PM [Reply]

Ben, I guess it was false evidence that the terrorists flew planes into, and destroyed the World Trade Centers. False evidence of all the other world wide bombings, the bodies must have all been fake. I bet you even think its false evidence that North Korea is really exploding nuclear bombs, and they are making more. I bet you also think Iran wont make any nuclear weapons either... again false evidence being created by those that you dont agree with. Oh by the way, they were your president and VP as well, even though you may not have voted for, nor supported them. Just as the current one is my president now. I respect the office... not the policies, but I am watching with eyes wide open.... unlike you, who is stuck with bad feelings and wanting to blame anyone you can that does not meet your liberal ideas.

#3.1.2.4.2.2.2.2.1 ProudParent on 06/24/09 at 03:20 PM [Reply]

No. It's false evidence that Iraq had ANYTHING to do with 9/11. Even DICK Cheney and Bush say that now. Now that they have made their buddies in Halliburton and big oil RICH with our tax dollars and our childrens' BLOOD.

#3.1.2.4.2.2.2.2.1.1 Madison County Resident on 06/24/09 at 10:11 PM [Reply]

But ProudParent and anyone else who think they care.Do you think after 9-11 we should have went over there to fight?? They started this? It wasn't a lie that they flew those planes into the Trade Towers. They made this a war. If we had said that wasn't very nice and don't do it again then every other country would know they could run over the United States we wouldn't do nothing. Some of you say the war was started over a lie no the war was started because they struck the first blow.Yes I will admit that alot of people lost their lives over there in this war BUT think about this they chose to join there wasn't a draft? Don't say well when they joined there wasn't a war? Well when you join you have to be prepared for a war and you know there is a chance you may get killed. So Them men and women who died over there joined of their own free will but the people on those planes and in the Trade Towers died not of there own free will they didn't have a choice.

#4 That's Enough on 06/15/09 at 12:27 AM [Reply]

Daniel I thank you for your service and I am sorry that your now crazy as a @#$%house rat. You should go to the VA clinic and get some help.

#4.1 Madison County Resident on 06/15/09 at 09:23 AM [Reply]

No That's Enough Daniel won't go the the VA clinic to get help because he don't like the US and is sorry he served. He don't want no kind of help from the US VA? Because it may be funded by the taxpayers of the US and he has a chip on his shoulder?

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OPINIONS: Our military protects us every day of the year

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