Respect for our troops can be had and should be had without allegiance being promised to an image and the state it represents. Blind patriotism is as dangerous as blind faith. In fact, they are the same thing in different garb.
I have respect for anyone willing to put themselves in harms way to protect others. I know many heroes many whom have not served in military service. But I also have many, most in my family, who have served.
All of them I would give my life for if the need should arise. That being said I have done this for perfect strangers.
One thing to remember, not all soldiers are brave, not all rebels are fools and not all common citizens are cowards.
One last thing, Freedom is a hard fought thing, both behind the gun and in front. -Bill E.
