A Patriotic Marine

Of all the regular columnists in Hernando Today, and those in other newspapers that I have read over the years, it’s the writings of Hernando County’s very own Col. Donald Myers, retired U.S. Marine, that garners my attention. He certainly lives up to the by-line “A Mind of My Own”.

His picture on the Opinion page alone suggests an ominous presence in spite of the slight grin and the bow tie. I’m certain his demeanor would be less congenial in uniform and little doubt that Medals of Honor could very well weigh heavy on the stature of most men. In combat, he must have been viewed as a tower of military might.

Upon meeting the man, I can imagine the intimidating confrontation would give cause for my hands to shake and my knees to go weak. I can also imagine that a discussion about my 4F status in 1969, when the lottery draft gave me concern about the relatively low number that positioned me to be in harm’s way, may have been in question although I had a note from my family doctor that I had been under his care for nearly a decade for acute asthma, with a list of medications to substantiate the claim.

Yes, Col. Myers may come to the conclusion that I was a wimp and better suited to wear the regalia of the better-known non-combatant Colonel Sanders. I might have been better fitted for chicken duty.

In light of today’s world of military confrontations against terrorist activities, Sir, am I amiss to believe that the draft system would be appropriate? Could we not turn those flabby, overweight kids into toned, muscular representatives of American pride? And correct the diabetic-prone adults of tomorrow into solid physical, healthy dynamos? Honest exercise programs from grade school onward would put them at odds to continue their poor dietary habits. Parents would be put on notice to resolve excesses.

Teamwork, responsibility and dedication to achieve success at self-discipline would supplement the advantages of textbook learning. The advantages of gaining respect from classmates would prepare them for the interactive social skills that life necessitates.

One of the challenges of our citizenry is to put backbone to its professed support of our troops and to put to test their loyalty to promote the greatness of our nation by accepting the need for the enlistment of their children to take part in upholding the freedoms of democracy. There is no doubt that extended tours of duty of our volunteer army have reached the near end of its sustainable effectiveness and that there is no simpler, honest route to take than giving youth the opportunity to take pride for their inherited contributions toward a free and open society.

Kids are said to be tech-prone in the half-light of their computer screens, I-Phones and X-Boxes that, in part, purvey games of military confrontations with horrific consequences inclusive. Technical advancements that provide state of the art electronic equipment to enhance military operations with state-of-the-art of radar, sonar, underwater would take them where no computer screens have taken them before.

The realities of life and the future of humanity are not games of entertainment.

For young adults to participate in the wonders of this brave new world of advanced technology, they will have to pull up those britches, cover those cracks of insubordination and take on the challenge to live, learn and, literally, make the grade in the early years of academics, which translates to reading, writing and summing up their futures a productive members of society.

Mandatory enlistment of every able-bodied young adult would prove a patriotic resolve to reinforce the American ideology of freedom. Everyone, regardless of race, color or creed should take part in defending the security of our Homeland, hopefully implanting a positive attitude toward a future of integration, working together to make a change.

The offspring of elitist politicians and wealth who may have a tendency to avoid the draft would face a lifetime of overcoming the stigma of nepotism and cowardice. It would be those very parents of affluence who will have influence to demand that the safety of our troops be of paramount concern to overcome the inferiority of armor, weaponry and military vehicles and aircraft. Friendly fire is a misnomer. Unfriendly equipment is a calamity for troop survival.

A mandatory two-year tour of duty could easily result in re-enlistments, creating careers in national pride. Assistance in higher education would be an award. The more years in service, the greater the rewards. With the current turmoil of mankind in every corner of the world, at no time soon will there be a shortage for military excellence.

One of the aspects of participating in the military is the “opportunity” to travel to other countries. This gives a broader range of experiencing first-hand the living conditions of other human beings. Appreciation of our freedoms become self-evident when faced with the realities of others less fortunate. Acts of liberation can overcome the perception that occupation demands democracy. Working together for the betterment of humanity can make this a safer world for everyone.

Perhaps we could regain the respect and involvement of our allies and prompt a positive outlook of our intentions for the world community, not just self-interest.

Moms and dads would have to face the realities of war. There will always be Prisoners of War, those who are Missing in Action, and the dreadful Casualties of War. Supporting our troops no doubt must include the enlistment of emotional support not just from friends and relatives but also for those friends and relatives. The needs of spouses and families left behind should be an aforethought.

I give considerate thought that when I was deemed unfit for military duty in the years of the Vietnam War, might I not have been placed in an administrative position, perhaps no less patriotic than those in the throes of danger? We should also pursue that particular avenue of patriotic involvement whenever possible as the young inherit the evils of global confrontation.

See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil. These are words of ignorance and will lead us to the waste of our lives, our liberties and our pursuit of happiness. Too many Americans hide behind a wall of denial for what the war on terrorism really demands: sacrifice from everyone.


Confronting terrorism is reason to sustain our presence in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. It may take decades to claim victory but with every victory we can once again say I am proud to be an American.

The words of Col. Meyers have caused me to stop and think about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness by means of faith in our leaders. I would be in shock if he expressed doubt in our current Commander in Chief, but perhaps he might relegate judgment and courses of action to Generals and State Departments to keep politics off the battlefields.
Soldiers answer to Commanders, who answer to the Commander in Chief, who ultimately answer to citizens.

With a mind of my very own, I leave with this final thought of Colonel Donald Myers for which we should exemplify:

A Patriot, indeed.