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Flying supply planes for the military isn't flying for FedEx. It is flying where people are shooting at you, it's flying to get stuff in regardless, or to get people out, regardless.
Seen the picture of the Chinook helicopter hovering off a cliff to do the mission? That may be Army and that may be a helicopter, but it is rather like that.
Further, one may still be using weapons, be it dropping mines, gun ships, or just delivering the devices, man or machine, that kill other people.
FINALLY, while it is true that much of the military does not, as their specialty, fire a gun, the basic thing is, from my POV, if I can't issue them a gun, I guess with an exception or two, then why are they there in the first place?
We killed people with our five inch gun and mortar and while I never looked someone in the eye and killed them, by being a member of the crew, I was part of the process. We were a "mother ship" for Navy Swift Boats so I also got to see firsthand people who were on the on the receiving end of fire.
I did my duty to the best of my ability. Can't say though, that I am proud of being part of that war. Slept better at night when we returned to regular duty; ocean stations and search and rescue.
Born in 1956. When I was 11, I was absolutely convinced that when I turned 19 I was I was going to get drafted and sent on the suicide mission in Vietnam. 453 dead in one week. Cannon fodder for the old people. Walk through the jungle, trigger a booby trap, something to look forward to. Old people back then also demanded prison for a bag of weed.
2018, I am now old. I have no desire to draft anyone or send them to prison for weed.
What does this mishegas have to do with "old people" ???
you know - my roommate is a Vietnam vet - two purple hearts. He is very proud of his service and also saw it as a duty to his country!
I retired from the air force, but I don't agree with the mandatory national service. I loved my time in the service.
He said mandatory national service--with military service being only one possible component. There are plenty of other ways to "serve" one's country. Personally, I'd like to see the Civilian Conservation Corps brought back.
Although I don't know that I'd make it mandatory...but, I would like to see a very nice tuition reimbursement plan tied to that sort of service. It's already available to teachers and first responders who, in my mind, perform every bit a national "service" as those in the military.
My rant is that when I was a kid, I was told to respect my elders. They deserve no respect. My elders demanded I go to Vietnam for nothing. The Archie Bunker let’s show how tough America is. These punk kids need a war to straighten them out. The war on drugs was also part of this plot. Hippies refused to die in Vietnam, so let’s put them in prison. Jail or Army was another option.
My local newspaper had a front-page picture of someone in a Marine graduation uniform. 17, dead in some place called Quang Tri.
Rich kids like Trump got a doctor’s note, poor kids were sent and many are still there, in the mud 10,000 miles away
2018, young people are lining up to go to Iraq and Afghanistan. All volunteers, they know what car bombs are, they agree to the risk.
You were never even close to serving in Vietnam or getting drafted.
Most of the men born between 1945 and 1952 did not get drafted. Do you realize how large the military would have been if they did?
Sheesh! The Vietnam conflict and everything it entails, (e.g., the draft, evading it, gov't lying, drugs, war, etc.), is still dividing this country, (and us here on C-D). Do we really have to fight this battle again?
LOL. I just read today that people who smoke pot on a regular basis have brains that age quicker.
Aside from being wrong, this has gotten off topic. How about returning to the actual topic of the thread - in what ways are your attitudes now that you are "old" the same as or different from the views of "old" folks when you were young?
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