Newest Soldiers, Future Vets Embody America's Hopes, Dreams by U.S. Army Terrance Bell, Fort Lee Public Affairs
November
12, 2019
Young military members undergoing initial entry training are the
embodiment of America’s hopes and dreams – the vessels bearing the
torches of this nation’s most precious ideals and beliefs.
Their deeds in uniform and beyond will give life to the notion of
living and breathing in places without fear or tribulation.
 August 25, 2019 - Soldiers stand at the position of attention during a drill and ceremony event at Fort Lee, Virgina. (U.S. Army photo by Terrance Bell, Fort Lee Public Affairs)
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They have willingly accepted the challenge to protect the
country’s interests, perhaps unaware of the sacrifices it will
require or fully comprehending the extent of contributions already
made.
Those young minds were shaped in an era far removed
from the fight against Nazi Germany and the 400,000 lives lost in
that struggle. They couldn’t possibly fathom the true depth of
sorrow felt by our nation’s Vietnam War-era veterans when they faced
deprecation by some sectors of the American public upon returning
home. Their association with suicides, PTSD and the transition
struggles of those coming home from current wars is mostly gleaned
from media reports and second-hand stories.
What is within
the realm of their comprehension is the extent of their forthcoming
transformations – how military service wipes away the innocence of
youth, imparts a sacred purpose and ushers them into a brotherhood
of those sworn to never leave a fallen comrade behind. Through their
service, they will become intimate with the congruities of sacrifice
and freedom.
Once their uniforms are shed, they will form
the newest bricks and mortar resting atop the mighty understructure
that is America, joining the ranks of those who have made
contributions to preserving the ideals of democracy while protecting
the lives of all who cannot or will not serve.
Ideally,
their experiences will forever change them. Serving in combat or in
remote locations will likely provoke contemplation and ever-growing
appreciation for freedoms relinquished, and thus, the country in
which those freedoms emanated and are sometimes taken for granted.
One needs only to look back at World War II to understand
the power of this dynamic. Following the war, military members by
the millions returned to the United States humbled by the
preciousness of freedom and the possibility it could ever be taken
away. As veterans, they were armed with ambition, skills and unique
experiences that propelled the nation to new heights.
While
not as prevalent, the same thing can be seen today. The legacy of
military experience is found in the ex-military policeman who
mentors underprivileged youth, the former combat medic who
volunteers at a free clinic or the combat veteran who supports
Habitat for Humanity.
Twenty-six veterans have served as
president of the United States. Many thousands have likely served as
president of the PTA.
Veterans can confidently lay claim to
the mantra of “giving back.”
Needless to say, the service of
veterans has been critical to the nation’s survival and progress,
yet it offers a legacy that is sometimes overlooked or not fully
appreciated. That begs some questions:
When those young
military members in training fully attain veteran status, will the
country comprehend the extent of their sacrifices?
Will
their fellow Americans stand in support of them no matter what the
political, economic or social climate is?
Will they be
treated with the reverence and respect they so richly deserve?
If history is any indication, sometimes they will and sometimes
they won’t. It’s an uneasy dilemma for those heeding the calls for
future fights, maybe owed to the proclivity on behalf of citizens to
forget or disregard the blood spilled by generations of fighting men
and women.
At the end of the day, though, one could argue
that it does not matter or has not mattered.
There will
always be men and women who are willing to become the embodiment of
America’s hopes and dreams – the vessels bearing the torches of our
most precious ideals and beliefs.
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