tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880558552723983239.post8410909956649517870..comments2023-07-14T11:20:50.010-04:00Comments on Bell's Yells: Thank You For Your ServiceJ. David Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00499792076455078070noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880558552723983239.post-12160618599674816092010-01-31T23:34:39.554-05:002010-01-31T23:34:39.554-05:00Thanks for the comment--points well taken. And fo...Thanks for the comment--points well taken. And for the record, thank you for your service.J. David Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00499792076455078070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7880558552723983239.post-68387304723955134362010-01-20T23:47:42.434-05:002010-01-20T23:47:42.434-05:00Having served and currently serving with many exce...Having served and currently serving with many exceptional soldiers, Sailors, Marines and airmen in my 15 years in the Navy, as well as being the recipient of many anonymous "Thank yous" in airports while in uniform, it's hard for me to swallow your over-analyzation of todays mass-marketed patriotism. Hard to swallow without the water of experience to wash it down, anyway.<br /><br />The magical elixir that allowed my system to digest your psychoanalyzation of the hows-and-whys on the merits of military service is the remembrance of all the not-so-exceptional servicemembers that comprise our military. For every one outstanding Sailor I've met I could easily name at least a dozen who I'd rather hand a DD214 than offer my gratitude. The term "honorable service" has been so diluted that anyone who shows up in a uniform on time (at least a lot of the time) is given an award. <br /><br />On the flip side there are junior servicemembers overseas who come home minus a limb or two and it's a big deal because they're awarded a Bronze Star after a year away from their families getting shot at in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, a senior officer comes home from a short six-month stint riding a desk in some cush office in Kuwait and he's sporting the same bling. Our system of recognition is completely broken. I digress; but the point is simply you can't know what kind of service people have performed based on their uniform or what they wear on it -- even if they're missing a few digits. <br /><br />You're right: Nobody knows what these people have done for the military or the country. Not everyone who serves sacrifices. I will say, however, that your apparent stance to only "[recognize] value where value lies" seems rather selfish and narrow minded. I'm not implying that you don't have manners with those who serve you or trying to make a case for thanking random servicemembers -- because it *is* awkward at times -- I'm simply saying that your position seems to assume the worst in people and their "service," not the best, and then only when YOU see and can quantify the value that service added. <br /><br />I understand your point and it is well made; however, your willingness to downplay the service and sacrifice of those who have a much greater chance of getting killed defending our country while in the same breath taking pains to note the service of students, professors and garbage men seems a bit skewed and doesn't quite seem like a logical comparison. Unfortunately, it does seem in keeping with the valued ideals of modern liberalism. As I define it, anyway.<br /><br />Thanks for the thought-provoking article.Matt Nemmershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07683112796197360960noreply@blogger.com